So glad you have a newsletter! Reminds me of the wine lessons my best friend from my first restaurant job used to give me on our days off. :)
Also, was thinking that the decline in wine drinking might be a wellness thing or stem from more research about how bad alcohol is for you in general which has contributed to the NA movement (like you mentioned). But I'm curious about whether there's much actual research about the health effects of natural vs conventional wine. If I had to guess, natural must be soooooo much better for you but doesn't seem like there's many studies to back that up. All the articles are like "there's no proof". I hope some research comes out soon! Might encourage consumers to buy better wines and help to change some of the not-so-good conventional practices.
It's interesting, because there has been studies dating back in the 2000's (Google the "French Paradox") that show overall benefits to drinking red wine in moderation, and even benefits to drinking alcohol in general, in moderation. (A good summary of these results here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281) Natural or Organic wine shouldn't increase these benefits in any way, as the results are from the winemaking process at its fundamental level, that all wine goes through. That all said, the rule is: drink in moderation or not at all.
In moderation, there's evidence of a health positive result. But if you're at risk of having poor self-control or an obsessive personality, etc. then it's definitely dangerous to drink any alcohol. But addicts tend to be specific types of personalities or biologies. There's nothing inherent to alcohol that makes it addictive like nicotine. Many drink socially and never become addicts, though the majority who smoke become addicted to nicotine.
From what I’ve heard, a lot of those studies were funded by the wine industry and the amount of antioxidants is not enough to actually be helpful or outweigh the negative impact especially if you compare wine to other foods you could eat with way more antioxidants and no harm.
But I’m just guessing those studies were done using conventional wine.
Regardless, some people drink a glass of wine every night and live to be nearly a hundred and don’t have a problem and that’s great!
Just wondering if the wellness industry has impacted people’s desire and/or fear around drinking. And whether these new studies take into account the difference between wines with lots of additives and those without.
I definitely think the obsession with wellness and biohacking have played a part in people's feelings about wine/alch in general. I also think the US has an unhealthy relationship with most things, including food and alch and culturally, balancing these things don't come as easily as in other countries. -- In any case, I think anything in moderation is key!
I hope they do studies comparing natural vs conventional! I think we would see a big difference in effects on long term health, similar to the way we see a difference between organic whole food and processed foods.
Andrea - a great post, but I do take issue with you characterisation of 'grocery store' wine as being somehow inferior or, as you put it, "NOT wine". Think of it as a gateway drug; at least that's how it worked for me. YOU may appreciate an aged Barolo, but someone new to wine is going to take a sniff, perhaps have a sip...then reach for the nearest Bud Lite to clear the taste. As much as you may hate it, the likes of Two-Buck Chuck or Barefoot will get the younger generation interested. And when they've got a bit more cash to spend - well...onwards and upwards.
I currently live in Southern Italy and the 'grocery store' wine here varies from battery acid to bottles that would retail for a (fair) $25 and up. I'm doing my best to rectify that 5% drop in wine drinking that you cite!
Love this, Andrea, very thoughtful piece and an important read, especially for those of us in the 'wine bubble', where it's often easy to feel like everything is hunky-dory in the world. Agree that education is important in dispelling the idea that wine is an intimidating beast, as well as the idea that only 2 options exist for consumers - bargain booze or fine wine!
So glad you have a newsletter! Reminds me of the wine lessons my best friend from my first restaurant job used to give me on our days off. :)
Also, was thinking that the decline in wine drinking might be a wellness thing or stem from more research about how bad alcohol is for you in general which has contributed to the NA movement (like you mentioned). But I'm curious about whether there's much actual research about the health effects of natural vs conventional wine. If I had to guess, natural must be soooooo much better for you but doesn't seem like there's many studies to back that up. All the articles are like "there's no proof". I hope some research comes out soon! Might encourage consumers to buy better wines and help to change some of the not-so-good conventional practices.
It's interesting, because there has been studies dating back in the 2000's (Google the "French Paradox") that show overall benefits to drinking red wine in moderation, and even benefits to drinking alcohol in general, in moderation. (A good summary of these results here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281) Natural or Organic wine shouldn't increase these benefits in any way, as the results are from the winemaking process at its fundamental level, that all wine goes through. That all said, the rule is: drink in moderation or not at all.
In moderation, there's evidence of a health positive result. But if you're at risk of having poor self-control or an obsessive personality, etc. then it's definitely dangerous to drink any alcohol. But addicts tend to be specific types of personalities or biologies. There's nothing inherent to alcohol that makes it addictive like nicotine. Many drink socially and never become addicts, though the majority who smoke become addicted to nicotine.
From what I’ve heard, a lot of those studies were funded by the wine industry and the amount of antioxidants is not enough to actually be helpful or outweigh the negative impact especially if you compare wine to other foods you could eat with way more antioxidants and no harm.
I’ve heard doctors on pods talking about recent studies that show that no amount of alcohol is good for you and that wine is particularly bad for women’s health/hormone function. Thinking of this ep: https://www.lizmoody.com/healthiertogetherpodcast-health-effects-of-alcohol-part-2/
But I’m just guessing those studies were done using conventional wine.
Regardless, some people drink a glass of wine every night and live to be nearly a hundred and don’t have a problem and that’s great!
Just wondering if the wellness industry has impacted people’s desire and/or fear around drinking. And whether these new studies take into account the difference between wines with lots of additives and those without.
I definitely think the obsession with wellness and biohacking have played a part in people's feelings about wine/alch in general. I also think the US has an unhealthy relationship with most things, including food and alch and culturally, balancing these things don't come as easily as in other countries. -- In any case, I think anything in moderation is key!
I hope they do studies comparing natural vs conventional! I think we would see a big difference in effects on long term health, similar to the way we see a difference between organic whole food and processed foods.
Andrea - a great post, but I do take issue with you characterisation of 'grocery store' wine as being somehow inferior or, as you put it, "NOT wine". Think of it as a gateway drug; at least that's how it worked for me. YOU may appreciate an aged Barolo, but someone new to wine is going to take a sniff, perhaps have a sip...then reach for the nearest Bud Lite to clear the taste. As much as you may hate it, the likes of Two-Buck Chuck or Barefoot will get the younger generation interested. And when they've got a bit more cash to spend - well...onwards and upwards.
I currently live in Southern Italy and the 'grocery store' wine here varies from battery acid to bottles that would retail for a (fair) $25 and up. I'm doing my best to rectify that 5% drop in wine drinking that you cite!
Worth a quick read of :
@gluggingwine - a few thoughts on Substack
Love this, Andrea, very thoughtful piece and an important read, especially for those of us in the 'wine bubble', where it's often easy to feel like everything is hunky-dory in the world. Agree that education is important in dispelling the idea that wine is an intimidating beast, as well as the idea that only 2 options exist for consumers - bargain booze or fine wine!