Skip to main content

The Stellar Health Benefits of Wine Explained

Beyond its endless variety of styles and flavor profiles, wine is also a beverage with fantastic health benefits. In fact, these benefits have been historically embraced in some cultures, with impressive results. In France, the rate of heart disease is comparatively low — a curious fact considering the country’s notorious love for butter and cheese. This phenomenon is known as the French paradox. For some health experts, France’s consumption of red wine is the answer to this conundrum. According to the Mayo Clinic, when consumed in moderation, the high level of antioxidants in wine can help reduce bad cholesterol levels.

Selection of ETTORE Wine bottles on wooden table.
ettorewinery/Instagram

But not all wines are created equal. At ETTORE, founder and experienced winemaker Ettore Biraghi has made high-quality wines his passion in life. A certified organic winery in Mendocino, California, ETTORE is centered on sustainable farming practices with an emphasis on producing the finest grapes in the wine industry. As an expert on everything wine, Biraghi is here to share his expansive insights into the health benefits of this alcoholic beverage.

Related Videos

“Wine is a great way to keep your spirits high and happy!” Biraghi said. “Drinking wine in moderation can be healthy, especially when it is well-sourced, organic wine like ETTORE, and is best enjoyed with good company!”

Related Guides

The Health Benefits of Wine

Picked red wine grapes in vineyard.

While each type of wine features slightly different health benefits, all of them contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect cells against molecules called free radicals. These unstable molecules can damage cell membranes and DNA, causing illnesses like cancer and heart disease. The consumption of antioxidant-rich food is believed to counteract the effects of free radicals. One type of antioxidant that’s common in wine is resveratrol. This particular antioxidant is believed to be particularly potent in reducing bad cholesterol and blood clots. However, studies on resveratrol are not one-sided. While some researchers have positively linked resveratrol to reducing heart disease, other studies have not been able to establish a positive correlation.

Although all wines contain antioxidants, the level can vary depending on the type. For instance, red wine contains a significantly higher level of antioxidants than white wine. However, that doesn’t mean white wine isn’t packing its own list of health benefits. In fact, both red and white wines are believed to help lower cholesterol, heart disease, and the risk of stroke. There’s also another type of wine that’s uniquely beneficial for health — orange wine. This beverage is made from skin-on, seeds included, white wine grapes in contact with the juice. The result is a vibrant, orange-hued wine that’s not only delicious but also filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

One element that’s central to the health benefits of all types of wine is moderation. Generally, ETTORE recommends drinking about two glasses a day. When combined with a balanced diet, this moderate level of drinking is a great fit for any healthy lifestyle.

What Makes Organic Wine Different?

Four wine glasses on top of an oak barrel.

Nowadays, many consumers and food producers are highly concerned with the sustainability of their products. The wine industry is no different. Organic wine production is centered on growing practices that respect the environment while also producing wine free of chemical residues.

“Although I can not speak to other producers’ processes, our process works to respect the soil and characteristics of the grapes,” said Biraghi. “With minimum tillage in the winery, we try to respect the natural process of wine production following the natural attitude of the different grapes.”

At ETTORE, they follow the organic vineyard and winery processes set forth by the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers). CCOF certifications were founded in 1973 and pre-date any federal legislation on organic practices. In fact, CCOF certification standards are the foundations for the now-common USDA Organic certification.

There is some debate among experts on the individual health benefits of organic versus conventional farming. Certain experts remain skeptical, stating there isn’t significant evidence that backs increased nutrition in organic foods. However, if produced with careful organic practices, the environmental benefits are undeniable. For fruit like wine grapes, the lack of chemicals in the growing process is a huge selling point for drinkers. For many people, drinking wine free of conventional pesticides is a highly prized health benefit.

ETTORE Wine Recommendations

ETTORE has a great selection of red and white wine that’s delicious and rich in antioxidants. For red wine, an excellent option is their 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature. Made from organic red grapes, this wine is dark and rich, layered with creamed plum notes and a hint of juniper berries. It’s a complex wine that’s fantastic by itself or served alongside the centerpiece of a celebratory meal. Biraghi also recommends their Ettore Rosso (a blend of Cabernet, Petit Verdot, and Merlot), which has a great concentration of tannins and antioxidants. Like most red wine, the Rosso is an excellent pairing for red meat like a dry-aged ribeye tomahawk.

ETTORE even has a line of wine that caters to individuals sensitive to sulfites. This line, called ETTORE Zero, features both red and white wine with no sulfites (less than 10 ppm). An exceptional option in the Zero line is the Chardonnay Zero, silky white wine with the flavors of pear, fig, and hazelnut. Biraghi likes to pair this white wine with spicy seafood, a classic combination. “It is powerful and creamy, thus able to combine well with various spices,” said Biraghi.

Buy now

Editors' Recommendations

The 8 best protein shakes that are ready-to-go
These shakes come with all the good stuff, and none of the crap
Svelte

With as busy as we have become as a society, we always seem to be on the go. This can make life challenging, especially when it comes to wellness goals. In a perfect world, you could hit the gym hard, crush a workout, then immediately refuel with a balanced, home-cooked meal. But, since life happens and we are always on the go, it’s not always feasible to take the time to actually cook up a muscle-building meal right after your workout. Whether you’re on the go and short on time, or just can't stomach a full meal after exercising, having a quick and easy, protein-packed option that doesn’t require kitchen time, is a helpful alternative to refuel your body and maximize your results.

This is where protein shakes come in handy. Numerous ready-to-drink shakes are available that provide muscle-building protein, vitamins, minerals, and calories to fortify your body after a workout. They offer the benefits of protein powders with the convenience of eliminating the need for a shaker bottle, or high-speed blender, let alone making a mess with powders. Simply give the bottle a quick shake, pop the top, and you’re good to go.

Read more
The 7 best CBD-infused drinks we tried in 2023
These tasty CBD-infused drinks will have you feeling calmer in no time
Cans o RisEau cbd drinks.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been hot for a while now, making its way into everything from CBD teas to a variety of CBD coffee brands. If you're wondering "what is CBD?" — it's a naturally occurring compound present in cannabis plants. According to the World Health Organization, it's not addictive, has a solid safety profile, and won't get you high. In clinical trials, it's been effective in the treatment of epilepsy and shows promise in treating a number of other conditions.

In addition to CBD-infused water, tea, soda, and seltzer, another growing trend is CBD-infused nonalcoholic spirits and cocktails. The adult beverage market is flooded with CBD products promising to help you relax, sleep, destress, and mellow out, all without the hangover you'd get from booze (CBD is considered a controlled substance and can't be legally added to booze, at least not yet). We've rounded up a few of our favorite CBD-infused drinks below, from CBD cocktails to CBD water, so you can work your relaxation into your daily routine no matter where you are.

Read more
Here’s how to make a margarita, according to top bartenders
The only margarita recipes you'll ever need
margarita tequila cocktail lime strainer

The best margaritas do not grow on trees, nor do they show up in a can (although there are some tasty canned drinks these days). No, the tastiest version of the tequila classic is made fresh, with love and care and some wisdom from a couple of top bartenders.

It's a balancing act, for sure, but when it's dialed-in, the margarita is one of the best and most refreshing cocktails ever devised. The classic mix of agave spirit, lime, salt, and a touch of sweetness is great alone or with any number of dishes, especially within Mexican cuisine (the nation where the drink was born).

Read more