The Healthiest Red Wine

Research has revealed that while moderate consumption of red wine is very beneficial to health, certain red wines are more beneficial than others. The secret is in the amount of procyanidins, which is a polyphenol, present in the wine. The amount can vary enormously from one wine to another and it depends on a number of variables including grape variety and means of production.

In Madiran Red Wine, which is considered to be one of the healthiest Red Wines, the variety of grape used is tannat, an often coarse, earthy and rustic variety of grape that has rough tannins. This type of Red Wine is originally from the South West region of France, but has also been produced in Uruguay since the 19th century and, more recently introduced, in the Central Coast Region of California. Please visit redwinebuzz.com for more information on Central Coast Red Wines.

The other main factor in the healthiness of a Red Wine is the duration of fermentation and maceration. The long fermentation and maceration times that go into the production of Madiran Red Wine are important factors in its healthiness. The more mass produced Red Wines wines generally don’t conform to these criteria and usually have very low levels of procyanidins.

Here is a general guideline to the healthiest wines by region:

Australian Red Wines — tend to have low levels of procyanidins.

Argentine Red Wines — The Malbec Red Wines produced in Argentnia have some of the highest levels of procyanidins, similar to the ones produced in Southern France.

Californian Red Wines — The Red Wines being produced using the Tannat grape variety have high levels of procyanidins.  Cabernet Sauvignon is also a standout for procyanidin content.

French Red Wines — Bordeaux red wines have Moderate levels of procyanidins; Burgundy red wines are low to moderate; Languedoc-Roussillon red wines have moderate to high levels; Côtes du Rhône Red Wines are moderate to high. Malbec and tannat have the highest levels.

Italian Red Wines — The southern Italian wines from Sicily, Sardinia, and the mainland have high levels of procyanidins while most northern varieties are moderate.

Spanish Red Wines — Red Wines from Spain contain Moderate levels of procyanidins in general.