Wine is often low in calories and may be harmful to your health.
Here’s the good news:
Certain wine styles, especially red wines, contain very low levels of sugar and alcohol. They also have great health advantages.
What are the best wines for you?
This article will discuss the elements that make a wine healthy and the top 10 healthful wine styles. We will also discuss the best wines to buy and their taste notes.
What makes a wine healthy?
These are the key elements to watch out for when you want to ensure that a bottle of wine is healthy.
Low Sugar
Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease are linked to excessive sugar intake. Wines with high levels of sugar also have higher calories.
All wines have at least some sugar, so the best options for health are those with low sweetness.
Avoid added sugar, dessert wines, fortified wine (such as Port or Madeira), and wines that have been harvested after the harvest. Avoid wines with ‘dolce’, ‘demi sec’, or’semisec’ on the labels, as they contain more residual sugar.
Instead, choose dry wines styles such as Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. These have low calories and low residual sugar (0 to 9g/liter).
Low Alcohol Content
The alcohol per volume (ABV) in wine ranges between 5 and 16 percent. Fortified wines have 15 to 25% alcohol. Wines with higher alcohol levels have more calories.
Alcoholism can lead to weight gain, heart disease, liver damage, pancreatic and liver problems, and cancer.
The American Heart Association recommends that women have one alcoholic drink per day and men have two.
High Antioxidant Content
Resveratrol, a type of polyphenol in wine, is an antioxidant that neutralizes harmful oxygenizing agents. Red grape skin contains resveratrol. Red wines made with their skins have more resveratrol than white wine.
Red wine contains resveratrol and polyphenol compounds such as procyanidins, which can help prevent heart disease.
The 10 Best Wine Styles and Top Bottles You Should Buy in 2022
These are the healthiest wines you can try in 2022:
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir wine is the most healthful red wine, with high levels of resveratrol. Pinot Noir is a dry, full-bodied red wine with low sugar, calories, and moderate alcohol levels.
Pinot Noir has a higher level of resveratrol.
- Regulates blood pressure and bad cholesterol
- Increases insulin sensitivity
- Prevents blood vessel damage
- It improves brain health and combats neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other forms of dementia.
Pinot Noir can also increase omega-3 fatty acid levels in the body, preventing heart disease and balancing your gut microbiomes.
This alcoholic beverage is a pleasant red fruit taste with vanilla and baking spices.
The 2018 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Muigny Grand Cru “Cuvee Vieilles Vignes” ($921) is a healthy Pinot Noir. It’s also the best red wine you can try.
Malbec
Malbec grapes have thick skins and antioxidants such as quercetin and resveratrol. Malbec wine has twice as many antioxidants as Cabernet Sauvignon and four times the antioxidants than Merlot.
Malbec’s antioxidants:
- Increase heart health and immunity
- Prevent cell damage caused by free radicals and the narrowing of blood vessels
- Promot anti-inflammatory measures to control chronic diseases
- Promote weight loss
This red wine has delicious black fruits and plum flavors with rich chocolate, leather, sweet tobacco and other nuances.
If you are a conscious wine drinker, make sure to get a bottle of 2017 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard “Mundus Bacillus Terrae” Malbec ($315)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red wine grape variety globally. Its wines are rich in blackcurrant, licorice and cassis aromas.
Cabernet Sauvignon has many health benefits.
- It increases good HDL cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol.
- Cabernet Sauvignon’s flavonoid content promotes protein synthesis, which improves cell health.
- This red wine is full-bodied and contains proanthocyanidins, a class antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress.
- Infections like the flu can be prevented by using plant compounds such as epicatechin and catechin in Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Wine improves brain function by decreasing amyloid-beta peptide levels.
- Cabernet Sauvignon contains a compound that prevents enamel damage.
Enjoy a rich and healthy drinking experience with the 2015 Abreu Vineyard Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon ($666)
Merlot
Merlot, the second most well-known red wine, is Cabernet Sauvignon. It is rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol, procyanidin and other compounds that help regulate cholesterol and improve heart health.
Dry red wine balances and improves the bacterial lining of your large intestine.
These benefits are not the only ones. The melatonin found in this alcoholic drink can also relax the mind and help you fall asleep.
Merlot has a vibrant flavor profile that includes black cherry, cocoa and plum.
The 2014 Kapcsandy Family Winery, State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve ($450), is one of the most healthful red wines.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah is a bold and beautiful red with some bitterness because of its high-level tannins. Wines containing polyphenols are rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol.
These antioxidants are good for the heart and reduce the risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and other neurological disorders.
Dry wine bursts with spice and herb aromas and a richly flavorful combination of dark fruits and chocolate.
If you are looking for a healthy, savory wine, give the 2017 Turley Wine Cellars Hayne Vinyard Petite Sirah ($103). a try
Barbera
Barbera Italian red wine is affordable and high in resveratrol, which helps to prevent heart disease.
Light-bodied Barbera has intense strawberry and sour cherry notes, with low acidity and high tannins.
The 2010 Roberto Voerzio Rhino Barbera d’Alba Barbera d’Alba ($130 is one of the best wines for health-conscious wine lovers.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay has been voted the most loved white wine in the world. While not as healthy as red wines, Chardonnay can help increase your cholesterol.
It increases bone density, prevents blood from clotting, and lowers the risk of stroke.
Medium-bodied wines have moderate acidity and are flavored with papaya, lemon, and pineapple.
The 2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut (160 USD) is a great healthy Chardonnay wine.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio can be made by straining grape skins, which lowers resveratrol or flavonoid in the wine. It is also healthier than most white wines.
The grape provides the anti-inflammatory and antioxidizing properties of Pinot Grigio’s caffeic acid and tyrosol.
The wine’s predominant tasting notes are honeysuckle, lime, green apple and lime.
Enjoy a refreshing white wine with 2007 Gravner Anfora Pi Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT ($145). )
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is America’s second-favorite white wine. It is a dry, acidic white wine with a crisp taste.
This alcoholic beverage contains unique antioxidants that help to prevent cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Its primary flavors include passion fruit, white peach and grapefruit with savory hints like nutmeg, clove, and clove.
Enjoy the benefits of a dry White with the 2013 Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la More ($438.).
Rose
Rose wines offer more health benefits than white wines, but they don’t have the antioxidant-rich reds. These wines have higher levels of resveratrol than red wine and lower levels of polyphenols.
Rose is low in calories and has antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress. Rose is anti-inflammatory and promotes weight loss. It regulates cholesterol levels.
Rose wines are crisp and refreshing, with melon and citrus flavors.