“Women who consumed between 1.5 and 3 drinks daily had a 27 percent and 61 percent lower risk of becoming overweight or obese, respectively, than women who didn’t drink at all, according to the study, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.”
– Anne Hardig, “Study: Women Who Drink Are Less Likely To Gain” from Health.com via CNN
Interesting, but unfortunately not a statistic that should inspire us to increase our alcohol consumption.
“I think [the study] suggests that there’s no need to quit or avoid alcohol if it’s something you enjoy.”
–Scott Kahan, M.D.,the co-director of the George Washington University Weight Management Program
Another doctor stated this theory, that I have often suspected (and hoped) is true:
“Many other studies that are not nearly as well done or as large as this suggest that calories from alcohol are metabolized differently. The alcohol calories probably don’t count as much as calories from a Hershey’s bar.”
–”R. Curtis Ellison, M.D., the director of the Institute on Lifestyle and Health at the Boston University School of Medicine, says this study is the strongest evidence to date that calories from food and booze are not created equal.”
All quotes are from Anne Hardig’s article in which she offers several studies for you to consider and that I found to be quite interesting.
(Photo via)
“…Don’t worry about all this technical stuff. As a wine drinker — and being a wine drinker is the most important thing — all you have to concern yourself with is whether you like the wine. If you do? Drink it. If you decide you really like it? Drink some more. If you don’t like it? Drink something else.” — Tom Gutting of From The Gutt
Sometimes I think we get caught up in trying to analyze wine instead of just asking ourselves the most important question, “Do I like it?”
Most restaurants these days will let you taste a couple different wines before you commit to ordering a glass. So don’t hesitate to ask. Unless you’re in a nice restaurant, 8 out of 10 servers won’t have extensive experience with wine, they just relay which glass pairs well with each dish. And they certainly don’t know your palate. If you want an educated opinion ask if there is a sommelier or resident wino (like Ron!).
As Tom says, wine is about you, your taste, and enjoying the experience; the rest is secondary.
All of that being said, what are you all enjoying these days? Any new delicious finds? Let us know and comment below.
(Photo by Andrew Flavin 2009)
And now, for a practical post that has nothing to do with the enjoyment of wine, and everything to do with making sure an accidental wine spill doesn’t ruin your evening. What do you do if you spill red wine on your clothes (or a guest’s), or on the carpet? Despite all of the wine consumed in my home, I have yet to acquire a single stain anywhere, even after overconsumption. And now I’m going to share my secrets with you.
Basically, what you do depends on what you spill it on. Here’s a rundown of each trick so you can’t go wrong.
If you spill on…..
Your Clothes
In most cases, the stain can be pre-treated. Simply add a teaspoon of dish soap to a cup of hydrogen peroxide. Dab this mixture onto the stain with a sponge. Then wash the item either in the washer in cold water, or by hand. Then air dry. And Presto! The exception is if the item of clothing is dry clean only. In that case take it straight to the cleaners.
Soak a sponge in warm water and blot the spot to dilute it. Then apply some talcum powder to the stain. Let it stand for a few minutes, then brush it off. Repeat if necessary.
The Carpet
Well, in that case, you’re out of luck. Nothing can get a red wine stain out of a carpet.
Just kidding. It’s actually almost identical to what you do with clothes. Mix one teaspoon of dish soap with one cup of hydrogen peroxide. Then use a sponge to apply this to the stain. Blot dry with a cloth or paper towels.
At least that’s what all the experts on the internet say to do. If you have come across a better method, leave it in the comments below, and you too will become an internet expert as well!
I can’t wait to experience a actual wine stain disaster just so I can thwart it without batting an eye.
And now for our first ever installment of our monthly feature, Best Wine On Little Dime. My goal for this series will be to help you all explore a new wine grape variety or region on the cheap. I’m setting a VERY strict $10 price limit, which will be a good challenge, as it will allow us to explore more wines more economically.
For my first value pick of the month I decided to look for a good example of the grape variety Sauvignon Blanc, since my wine region featured this month was Sancerre, the home of this grape. Unfortunately, I can’t find a Sancerre in that price range anywhere. So I decided to look to the second most famous Sauvignon Blanc home: New Zealand!
So without further fanfare, my recommendation to you is: Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2008, from Marlborough, New Zealand.
Why? It smells like pears, tastes a bit like apples, has a really nice, long finish, and will pair wonderfully with almost any fish or non-spicy vegetarian meal you throw at it. Try it, enjoy it, and then tell me how much you liked it.
If you want to share with me what you are drinking, or want to see what I think of what I’m drinking when not on MoreThanMary, you can find me on Cork’d.
Cheers!
Looking to explore other food-friendly white wines that are also good on their own? Something elegant? Something crisp? Something not too fruity? An obvious choice to add variety to your white wine drinking is the Sauvignon Blanc. But it shouldn’t And the historical home of this grape is France’s Loire Valley, notably Sancerre.
When it comes to the character of a wine, geography matters. Sauvignon Blanc is grown in many different parts of the world, and expresses itself differently depending on the climate and soil where it finds itself. In Sancerre, cool summer climates give the grape its crisp acidity (what makes it pair so well with food). And since there is a lot of chalk and limestone in the soil, the wine will take on this flavor rather than being all fruit. Its herbal character can sometimes be compared to a grassiness if it is strong. The result is, when it comes out right, a white wine that is gentle, with an herbal perfume smell to it, and a crispness that allows it to pair particularly beautifully with different kinds of fish dishes.
So if you are shopping for a Sancerre wine, what should you look for? A total of 14 villages and three hamlets have the right to produce Sancerre. The two most recognized areas in Sancerre are Chene Marchand in the village of Bue, and the Monts Damnes in Chavignol, which would be the likely locations for the more expensive bottles. Regardless of where it comes from, these wines typically aren’t meant to be aged, and should be enjoyed within a year or two of bottling. A Sancerre Savignon Blanc typically starts around $20 – not at all in the value wines category – and can easily be found in the $50 range as well.
So the next time you are in your local wine shop, make your way to the Loire, and try something truly exceptional.
I’ve scored you discounts at two of my favorite places in the Santa Maria Valley!
When you mention MoreThanMary, receive 25% off your room rate ANY DAY of the week (with the exception of black out dates) at the Santa Ynez Inn.
While you’re out tasting at the vineyards, make sure to stop in at Tastes of The Valley in Solvang to try the latest from my favorite vineyard in the region Au Bon Climat. Print out this post and receive $7 off their best tasting – the Grand Cu (usually $25). That will pay for a tasting at another vineyard!
Read my guide for a great getaway to the Santa Maria Valley for a casual weekend of wine and fine dining here. It’s my favorite LA escape!
–By Ron Marks, Resident Wino
Most of what I have to say about wine drinking involves enjoying wine yourself: tasting it, buying it, learning about it, and making it an enriching part of your life. But what about the opposite situation? What if you need wine to impress in a certain situation?
The simplest answer to this concern is one that, if you can follow it, can and should override everything that is to follow it. If you can find a local wine shop where the owner or staff are super knowledgeable about wine and enjoy taking the time with customers, then build a relationship with them and you will never again need to turn to the internet to guide you. However, not very many of you will be fortunate enough to find a relationship like that, so for you, here’s my very idiosyncratic advice.
The good news is I believe there is one kind of wine that will win you accolades in any situation whatsoever. Think you need a different wine for a dinner party than for a romantic dinner for two? Heck no! You can wow your date, spouse, business associates, or friends with one little bottle.
Bring a bottle of Ice Wine. That’s right. To my knowledge, in the history of the world no one who’s been asked to bring a bottle of wine to a dinner party has come with a bottle of Ice Wine. It’s always some boring red or white wine. Way to blend in with the crowd. But with a bottle of Ice Wine, you will stand out for sure.
What is it? Only the most delicious wine ever invented! It’s made from frozen grapes, it’s really sweet, it’s a dessert wine, and everybody loves it. This is the one wine that you not only get the usual polite thank you before your wine is set aside, but will guarantee you are thought of as a person of exquisite taste, charm, and sophistication.
One last thing: Hooray Dessert Wine!
ABC is one of my favorites! Jim Clenenden looks like an old hippie, but he’s created some of the region’s best pinots and chards I have loved for a while now. Prices range $35+. Paired with dinner at Root 246 this will make for a delightful dinner.
Lightly Tannic and Tasty- Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007 Capestrano Red Wine
Good fruit with soft tannins, this Italian blend is a welcome change to a Pinot Noir. If you’re craving a Malbec, but don’t want a Malbec, this is going to be too tannic and earthy for you. Just opt for a pinot.
As I type (at 10:18pm) my tongue is still salivating after each sip, but in a good way. The kick pairs well with the sugar in my chocolate cake 
I picked up this bottle at Cova, a great wine bar off Washington, on my way home from benjy’s on a whim. I thought the selection would be out of my price range, so I was oh-so-pleased when they suggested an “amazing red” for $14.99. I found it for you here for $8.99. You’re welcome!
