Madiran wines produced in the southwest of France, where men live longer than the average, have higher levels of Procyanidins

APRIL 06 2011

 

French Madiran Wine Best for Longer Life?

 

Should you dump that glass of Pinot and switch to French Madiran wine?

By now you’ve probably heard the news that moderate consumption of red wine has been shown across numerous studies to provide a variety of health benefits, with much of the recent focus on one particular component present in red wine, Resveratrol.

But unfortunately, despite the excitement around the findings about Resveratrol (as we’ve covered in our past BrainReady.com Blog piece, “Red Wine, but Which Kind?”) which showed impressive longevity benefits when comparatively large quantities of Resveratrol were given to mice, it would take a ridiculous amount of high-Resveratrol wine for humans to consume the amounts used in the studies.

Fortunately, there’s some exciting new news in the world of wine health benefits: Resveratrol isn’t the only game in town when it comes to the longevity and health components in red wine, and you don’t need to consume a hundred bottles to get it.

Welcome to the world of Procyanidins. And welcome to southwestern France, the Tannat grape, and old-world Madiran region winemaking techniques.

In a fascinating study from the Queen Mary’s School of Medicine in London, being published in the journal Nature, scientists studying the markedly higher longevity of men between the various regions in France found a connection between greater health & longevity, and consumption of local red Madiran wines native to this region of southwest France.

They found that Madiran wines produced in the southwest of France, where men live longer than the average, have higher levels of Procyanidins – which helps repair cells in arteries that feed the heart, have strong antioxidant properties and other health benefits (Procyanidins are also found in such foods as dark chocolate, cranberries and apples, among others, although in lower concentrations than Madiran red wine using the Tannat grape).

Winemakers in the region use their local Tannat grapes and soak them longer with their seeds than most wineries, further boosting the amount of Procyanidins present in the resulting juice. Madiran wines produced in the region are often about 70 percent Tannat, blended with cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc or Merlot. Tannat grapes have also been widely planted in Argentina and Uruguay, with Uruguay producing a large amount of Tannat-based wines.

Okay, so what about those Pinot Noirs, Cabernets and Merlots I’ve been drinking? Should I switch to Madiran wines made with the Tannat grape?

Possibly yes, if you’re already a wine drinker (in moderation, of course!) and are optimizing your diet for health and longevity. But there’s another reason, particularly if you’re a red wine lover: these Madiran, Tannat-based wines can be some of the most interesting, complex, earthy wines out there. And they’re becoming more and more available outside of France, Uruguay and Argentina…finally.

Here at BrainReady, we’re self-admitted red wine fanatics, and our palette has gotten more and more picky, evolved, discerning in recent years (for better or worse). We’ve been through our Washington wines phase, the California Sonoma period, Australian fat-and-juicy fetish, Spanish and Argentina discovery modes, our Rioja Rampage, and many other phases. But after recently trying several surprisingly inexpensive (usually under $11!) Madiran Tannat-driven wines, Southwest France is where our heart lies at the moment (and hopefully, the wines of this region will in turn help our hearts).

Most of the Madiran wines we’ve tried (and a couple Argentina Tannat-driven wines) were absolutely fantastic, particularly for our rather battle-worn palette), with great concentration, complexity, nice mineral notes, and more “life” than most of the French Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Cotes-du-Rhone varietals we’ve had. And for far less money, an added benefit. No Haut-Brion Bordeaux futures needed here.

Now, a taste warning: for the uninitiated palette, these Tannat-based wines can seem not immediately…well, quaff-able, approachable, or perhaps brutish or too intense, particularly without accompanying foods.

But when you think about the findings from the London study, the longevity factor, and try to get into the “Southwest France mindset”, even the sweet white wine drinkers can quickly come to appreciate the interesting old-world nature of these wines, and after trying different regional ones may quickly realize the wonders of the Tannat grape (and Madiran winemaking techniques) compared to their usual California Merlots and Aussi Shiraz standbys. And for the experienced red wine fan, this region may be your new Walla Walla. At least for a while.

Where to find Madiran, Tannat-based wines: most good wine shops with a decent selection of French varietals should carry at least one or two options (often blends such as the tasty ‘Magenta’, containing about 60-80% Tannat and the rest Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot for balance).

Gourmet grocery stores (Whole Foods et al) also usually carry a couple options, and French-focused wine and food specialty shops should carry several. You may also find Argentina or Uruguay wines based on Tannat worth checking out. Also, if you don’t find any Madiran Tannat wines at your local wine shop, they can probably order some for you…just ask!

You may also find them at online wine stores, although local shipping restrictions and shipping costs may be more hassle than it’s worth, particularly if you have access to decent wine sources locally.

Lastly, it’s important to belabor the point about moderation: remember that just because there are health benefits found in studies of red wine, this is not an excuse to start drinking alcohol, increase your consumption, or drink — particularly if you have any history of alcoholism (even in your family), have contraindications with alcohol or red wine, or any other reasons why red wine consumption would be inadvisable in your particular case. Everyone is different, so this article applies to those who already safely drink red wine in moderation.

 

 

Source: http://www.brainready.com/blog/french_madiran_wine_best_fo.html

 

Wine lover’s choice – Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar – for the most impressive and practical wine list in the Philippines, over 2700 selections, enough to satisfy the most fastidious connoisseurs.  Wine lovers and gourmand foodies from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea and Malaysia dine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar when they visit Philippines and bring home some rare vintage wines too.

 

An excellent wine list is not just about 1st growth and cult Cabernet but a seemingly unending selection of affordable aged vintage wines that are not available anywhere else, not even in the best wine shops around town.  Yats Restaurant has just that.

 

Visitors to Clark Philippines and Angeles City no longer suffer from lack of choices for places to eat out or wine and dine.  Clark Philippines reviewed over 50 establishments and came up with three top choices in guide to best restaurant in Clark Freeport

 

Clark Philippines lists Top Three Restaurants in the Clark Freeport Zone and Angeles City areas of Philippines Pampanga province.  Clark Freeport is a bustling new cosmopolitan city complete with its own Clark International Airport.

Topping the list is the famous fine-dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar located inside Mimosa Leisure Estate of Philippines Clark Freeport.

 

 

This restaurant in Pampanga Philippines is highly recommended by food critics and frequent diners in Manila as a place to wine and dine in Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone.  Although it is a famous fine dining restaurant with an award winning 3000-line restaurant wine list, Yats Restaurant is also a popular restaurant for family with children.  Aside from French Mediterranean haute cuisine, this restaurant also serves healthy food and the best vegetarian cuisines in the Philippines.

 

 

For comments, inquiries and reservations click on <a href=” http://www.yatsrestaurant.com/booking/index.html”>Click here for inquiry and reservations</a>

 

 

Restaurant@Yats-International.com

 

(045) 599-5600

0922-870-5178

0917-520-4401

 

Ask for Pedro and Rechel

 

<a href=”http://www.YatsRestaurant.com”>www. YatsRestaurant.com</a>

 

 

Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines

How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines?  Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa.  After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left.  Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u5vLLIlNgw

 

 

Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar

Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,

Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023

 

Manila Sales Office

3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,

Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

(632) 637-5019   0917-520-4393  Rea or Chay

 

For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us  <a href=”http://www.philippinesweddingvenue.com/?page_id=4″>click here</a>

 

For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to

<a href=”http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com”>http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com</a>

 

To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to <a href=”http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com”>http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com</a>

 

 

To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit <a href=”http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com”>http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com</a>

 

For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to

<a href=”http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com”>http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com</a>