For many years, wine has been regarded as a healthier choice compared to other alcoholic beverages, leading many people to believe it offers unique health benefits. However, this belief can be misleading if moderation is overlooked. Drinking excessive amounts of wine, just like consuming any alcohol, carries significant health risks. At unsobered, we have decided to debunk this and many such widespread myths around wine, separating fact from fiction so you can enjoy it wisely. So here are 12 common wine myths that should be busted to help you appreciate wine responsibly, rather than falling for weird marketing misconceptions.
Fact: It is a popular belief, but the truth is a bit different. Consumption of red wine contains antioxidants like resveratrol that may offer some heart benefits. This includes increasing “good” cholesterol and reducing oxidative stress. These effects do not mean wine is a heart medicine. But at the same time, the alcohol and sugar in wine can increase inflammation, which is harmful. Hence, the safest approach is to make sure you drink wine in moderation, which can save you from its harmful effects. Drinking wine without moderation, just like any other spirit, can put your health at risk.
Fact: Red wine is not the only healthy wine; white wine can also be good for you. Both these wines have antioxidants that help in lowering cholesterol and protecting the heart when consumed in moderation. Red wine has resveratrol, which is a powerful antioxidant, and white wine has flavonoids that help in lowering the risks of prostate cancer and are lighter on calories. White wine also helps in digestion and boosts collagen, which makes the skin smooth.
Fact: It is a common misconception that all wines improve with age. This isn't true; most wines are actually meant to be enjoyed within a few years of their release. Only certain white and red wines possess the characteristics-such as high acidity, tannins, and sugar content - that allow them to develop their flavor over time. Additionally, improper storage conditions can spoil wine, regardless of its type. (As per a scientific article from WSET: Wine & Spirit Education Trust)
Fact: Orange wine does not at all taste like orange. It is made by fermenting white grapes with their skin, which is similar to how red wine is made. So orange is not even one of the ingredients used to make this wine. The color of this wine is what gives it the name “Orange wine”. The process of fermentation and the skin contact is what give this white its unique amber color with a very complex flavor profile. Thus, orange wine is known as a skin-contact white wine with complex flavors.
Fact: It is a common misconception that sweet wine cannot be paired with savory dishes. In reality, sweet wine can complement savory food beautifully, creating a balance that results in exciting flavor combinations. The sweetness of the wine counteracts the spicy, salty, and rich flavors found in savory dishes. For instance, sweet wine pairs well with ceviche, sushi, pretzel chips, foie gras, honey-glazed meat, and various options from Thai or Indian cuisine. This versatile pairing approach expands the possibilities beyond the outdated belief that sweet wine is only suitable for desserts.
Fact: While some old wines do become more valuable, it is not just the age of the wine that is important to judge its quality or value. The worth of a wine depends more on other factors like vintage, history of ownership, storage, variety of the grape, rarity, and market demand. Wines that have a good structure (built on acidity, balance, and tannin) actually have the potential to gain and improve value over time. Many younger wines are priced highly in the market just because of their flavor and quality, and not age.
Fact: Screwcaps ( cap that screws onto the threaded neck of a wine bottle) offer many benefits that help in improving the wine quality and consistency. Natural corks vary in quality and might also have cork taint, which can spoil the wine, while screw caps provide an airtight seal, which is more reliable. It prevents oxygen from getting into the bottle and hence prevents its freshness and the process of oxidation. These caps preserve the flavors, especially for the wines that are meant to be consumed young. Many top wineries across the globe now use screwcaps to preserve their premium wines’ consistency and maintain their quality.
Fact: This myth is simply misleading and outdated. The ideal serving temperature for red wine depends on its style and body. In general, it is always recommended to serve red wine, but below traditional room temperature. This is between 13 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius. If red wine is served too warm, it is possible that the wine might taste dull and heavy as the flavors get exaggerated. A small trick you can follow is keeping red wine in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving to get the ideal temperature.
Fact: It is one of the most popular, but it is false in nature. Scientific studies show that no matter which spoon (silver or steel) is put into the neck of an open bottle does not preserve carbonation. There have been various tests that have compared bottles with and without spoons and saw no difference in the fizziness of the wine. The best and only way to keep the sparkling wine fizzy is by resealing it properly with a Champagne stopper and refrigerating it. This helps in retaining the fizz better.
Fact: While many white wines are best enjoyed when they are young because of their fruity flavors, some white wines actually must be aged. White wines that have high acidity and concentration can develop and improve their flavors and aroma over many years. Aging white wine actually brings in many changes in the wine, like more honeyed or nutty aromas, the texture becomes richer and deepens the colour towards the amber shade. Some white wines can be aged for decades and result in an evolved and layered wine.
Fact: It is a common misconception that the best wine is only found in bottles. While glass bottles have traditionally been the standard for wine packaging, there are now many other formats that have gained popularity. These include cans, bag-in-box, aluminum bottles, tetra packs, and even PET plastic bottles. Such packaging options facilitate easier transport and enhance preservation by limiting exposure to oxygen. Many premium wineries are now embracing these innovative packaging solutions without compromising quality. Therefore, there is no link between the use of glass bottles and the quality of the wine.
Fact: While there can be some correlation between quality and price, paying significantly more for a bottle of wine can be questionable. Higher prices often reflect factors such as brand prestige, scarcity, reputation, and marketing rather than actual quality and taste. Many studies involving blind tastings have shown that expensive wines do not consistently outperform more affordable ones. Factors that drive wine prices up include vineyard location, the winemaker’s reputation, and production costs, but these do not necessarily guarantee a better drinking experience.
Grapes, which are used in wine, especially their seeds, skins, and stems, are packed with natural compounds known as polyphenols. These polyphenols have strong antioxidant properties. They help in neutralizing harmful molecules like free radicals that can damage our cells.
The natural substances in wine grapes help keep the heart healthy, reduce swelling in your body, and also protect the cells from any sort of damage. Drinking moderate amounts of wine, especially red wine, can provide you with these benefits. The prescribed moderate amount of wine is about a full or half small glass per day.
These compounds support overall health by improving your body's ability to fight damage at the cellular level and maintain healthy blood vessels.
So, the next time you pick up a glass of wine and think about any of the myths, make sure you replace the myths with the facts we have given you here and enjoy the drink responsibly. Make sure you share this with your friends and family as well so that these myths get debunked forever!
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
