Celebrate National Drink Wine Day and Google “National Drink Wine Day” events in your area or the nearest local winery. Today in honor of the holiday, pop the cork, relax and enjoy a glass of Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot, Shiraz, Zinfandel, or Sparkling, which happens to be our favorite. You can always plan your very own wine tasting party for you and your friends; each of you can bring your favorite wine for everyone else to try.
(If you’re a big wine lover, the Texas Wine Trail is just an hour and half away from San Antonio and a great area for a weekend road trip.)
It’s no secret that wine makes you feel fine; but what many people don’t know is wine has been an important part of human history and culture for thousands of years. Regardless of whether you prefer red, white, pinot, or cabernet, every wine enthusiast appreciates a good bottle (or box, whatever your prefer.) of wine and a special day to celebrate it.
Archaeologists in Speyer, Germany discovered the oldest bottle of wine in existence while excavating two Roman stone sarcophaguses in 1867. The bottle dates back to at least 325 AD! It is now on display at the History Museum of the Pfalz in Germany.
Wine History
People have been producing wine since at least 6000 B.C. There are dozens of ancient legends about humans who accidentally consumed fermented grapes and became intoxicated, which is probably how wine was first conceived. Eventually, people began experimenting with the fermentation process.
The methods for making wine spread from the region of Mesopotamia to Egypt, Greece, Rome, France, Spain, and eventually the New World. Today, over 20 million acres of the earth’s surface are dedicated to growing grapes for wine. Studies have shown that drinking a glass of wine a day improves heart health, reduces forgetfulness, boosts immunity, and increases bone density.
Red vs. white: Red wine is fermented with the grape skin, seeds, and stems. This gives it its color, as well as its “heavier” taste compared with white wine. The seeds and skin contain tannins, which coat your tongue and make it feel dry (similar to a very strong cup of tea).
Lighter red wines — such as Merlot, Chianti, and Shiraz — have fewer tannins, while more full-bodied red wines, like California Cabernet and French Bordeaux, have more tannins, as well as more alcohol.
White wine is fermented without the skins, or is made from green grapes, so it’s “lighter” than red wine. Chardonnay, the most popular white wine, can be rich, fruity, and even buttery in flavor. Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are lighter and crisper, while Riesling tends to be sweet.
Fun Wine Facts
Red wine contains an antioxidant polyphenol called resveratrol that has unique anti-aging properties.
Red wine can be applied directly on the skin to help reduce the visible signs of aging.
Resveratrol improves skin tone by promoting the production of collagen.
Resveratrol lifts the skin and smooth the appearance of expression lines.
Dermatologists have found that resveratrol helps protect the skin from sun damage, even out skin tone, reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
Research shows that resveratrol is 17 times greater antioxidant activity than idebenone, which is a well-known powerful anti-aging agent in skin care products.
Resveratrol can also improve skin’s hydration.
