What are some heart healthy wines you can share with a significant other?
- Pinot Noir
- Sagrantino
- Merlot
- Nebbiolo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
When it comes to choosing heart healthy wines for your dates this Valentine’s season, you can’t get much better than red wine. Not only is red wine delicious, but it’s also good for the body, the heart especially. What could be better for the heart that’s been metaphorically given to you so selflessly, than literally taking care of it?
In this article, we discuss some bottles of red that will not only keep your relationship going for a long time but can even sustain you through the years. Read on to know more!
What makes red wine good for your heart?
Red wine contains antioxidants such as resveratrol, procyanidins, and polyphenols, which improve cholesterol levels, prevent damage to blood vessels by reducing inflammation, regulate blood pressure and improve blood flow, and reduce the formation of blood clots. While white wine and rosé are also good for the heart, red tops the list because it has fewer calories, less sugar, and high levels of resveratrol, which is one of the best antioxidants wine has for your heart.
However, if red wine is not your taste, you can always choose a bottle of your favorite whites. It may not have a high antioxidant count like red wine since its skins are removed during the wine-making process. However, it still has a lower calorie count compared to reds. So, enjoy a bottle of Pinot Grigio from Yalumba Y Series and Riesling like the Haart to Heart Mosel Riesling!
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that all wines should be consumed in moderation for them to still be considered good for you. Red wine is no exception, as the recommended consumption is 1 glass a day for women and 2 glasses a day for men. Drinking more than 7 glasses a week for women or 14 glasses a week for men could lead to several health problems rather than benefits.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the healthiest wine you can drink. It has high levels of resveratrol but low tannins, so it lacks the astringent quality that wines with higher tannin levels have. While red wines with high tannins generally have more health benefits, pinot noir tops the list because its grapes are high in antioxidants and those grown in cool areas start with less sugar, giving it a lower ABV and fewer calories than fuller-bodied wines.
For a drink that’s both delicious and healthy, consider our Le Grand Noir Pinot Noir, made from grapes grown in the chilliest area in the South of France, Limoux. It’s great on its own or with meat dishes for dinner.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino is a rare grape from Umbria, Italy that makes what some studies claim is the most antioxidant-rich wine in the world. These wines are typically full-bodied, high in tannins, and have a deep, dark color. They have notes of dark fruit, like blackberry and black cherry, as well as earthy and spicy notes.
Sagrantino wine is known for its potential to age and become more complex over time, often requiring several years of aging before it is ready to drink. Sagrantino is a relatively rare grape variety, with only a small amount of wine produced every year.
Merlot
Merlot is a medium-bodied wine with bursts of berry flavors, soft and smooth tannins, and occasionally even flavors of vanilla, toast, and spice from its aging process in oak barrels.
At Ralph’s, we recommend the Wente Sandstone Merlot, which was aged for 24 months in French, Eastern European, and neutral oak barrels in Livermore, California, and has notes of ripe fig and pomegranate, with a hint of sandalwood.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is a red wine grape variety primarily grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Its wines are full-bodied and complex, high in tannins and acidity. Nebbiolo contains high levels of antioxidants as well as some of the highest levels of melatonin, making it a good nightcap if you have trouble sleeping.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This red wine is more than popular; it’s also quite healthy! Grown in wine regions all over the world, the wines produced from this grape are typically full-bodied and rich, with high tannins and acidity. Its flavor profile often includes notes of black fruit, as well as earthy and herbaceous notes, such as tobacco, cedar, and mint. Cabernet Sauvignon is often paired with rich, flavorful foods, such as grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and aged cheeses.
If you’re looking to split a bottle with your special someone, we recommend the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, a bright and fruity wine with notes of blackcurrants and raspberries. Elegant and complex with aromas of very well-blended ripe red and black fruit, this wine is well-structured with sweet tannins leading to a lasting and elegant finish.
Key Takeaway
You might think that red wine is romantic and thus, perfect for a date this love month. While that is true, it’s also a heart healthy wine with several benefits for your health. So open a bottle today and share it with your significant other—we’ve got you covered with some of the best red wines in the Philippines!
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