Madiran wines produced in the southwest of France, where men live longer than the average, have higher levels of Procyanidins
Philippines wine supplier Manila wine shop discusses wine by the grape variety Tannat.
August 22, 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
Best restaurant in Pampanga wins international award from Wine Spectator for best restaurant one of the best wine lists in the world, as wine lovers from Manila, Hong Kong and China take note and plan for a visit to this fine dining establishment whenever they visit the Philippines, Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga or Clark Philippines
Vegans and vegetarians are not the only ones to applaud this move to revamp and upgrade the vegetarian menu of the best restaurant in Pampanga. Even meat lovers are excited by the prospect of enjoying a delectable meal comprised of healthy vegetarian dishes, a good reprieve from their usual meat laden meals. Wine lovers applaud the effort of this restaurant in Clark Pampanga to pair gourmet vegetarian recipes with fine vintage wines.
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
A Well-known Restaurant in Pampnga, an interesting place to celebrate Birthday Party in Pampnga.
A best place to dine with friends in Pampanga
Restaurant in Clark Pampanga revamps menu, adding delectable dishes at affordable, wine friendly too, certainly a great place to eat while in Pampanga. Vegans, vegetarians and health conscious diners welcome the news that Yats Leisure has upgraded its vegetarian menu of fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar in Clark. At the same time, this restaurant in Pampanga also makes the healthy cuisine wine friendly for the wine lovers in Manila, Clark, Pampanga. The guests that frequently visit this top rated restaurant in Angeles City, Clark Philippines, for this special menu are not only vegetarians and vegans but also meat lovers who welcome a reprieve from their usual meat laden diets to enjoy a delectable vegetarian meal. Yats is generally considered the best restaurant for gourmet vegetarian food. Wine lovers are particularly excited about the fact that these recipes are designed to pair splendidly with wine.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
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.
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
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For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
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