Pinot Noir & health

[Tastevin]

Hello knbetts,
Benton Lane winery in Oregon say this on the web -

"Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound in grapes possessing very powerful biological effects. Such effects include minimizing the risk of atheroschlerosis and heart disease, powerful cancer-fighting properties, and protection against degenerative neurologic diseases. Apart from rather small amounts in peanuts, red wine is virtually the only source of this compound in the normal human diet.

In a reseach paper authored in 200, Benton-Lane’s 1997 Oregon Pinot Noir was found to contain 40.9 micromoles/liter of resveratrol, "the highest resveratrol level of any tested wine currently available.”

Benton-Lane’s Pinot Noir wines consistently test among the highest in the world for the presence of resveratrol.
Resveratrol is a natural anti-fungal agent concentrated in the skins of grapes. Due to Oregon’s often cool and moist climate, grapes from this region contain higher amounts of resveratrol. Red wines contain more resveratrol than white wines because red wines ferment with their skins. Pinot Noir has twice the resveratrol level of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. These wines average around 8 micromoles/liter whereas Pinot Noir averages around 13 micromoles/liter.
Resveratrol has been shown to boost “good” cholesterol and prevent blood clotting, effects likely responsible for improved heart health.
Resveratrol also has potentially impressive anti-cancer properties. In tests it appears to inhibit the formation and growth of cancer tumors. Recent research by Professor Gerry Potter at De Montfort University in U.K. indicates that resveratrol is converted in the body to piceatannol, a compound which actively fights, not just prevents cancer. Additional laboratory research lead by Professor Alberto Bertelli of Milan University found that resveratrol could possibly protect against degenerative neurologic diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by stimulating nerve cells to regenerate.
It may be the case that more frequent resveratrol consumption may improve your health. Consult your family doctor about the health effects of wine consumption."

As for the taste, I won't get into that because I might complicate things for you. Whether it is very similar to the Pinot Noir from Burgundy (the home of the Pinot Noir grape) or not I don't know. However,it may be one of the few made outside of Burgundy that does. You may find it interesting to do a few comparisons. As I don't know what is available in the States, perhaps some of the other members could suggest some.

I don't have any axe to grind about Benton Lane Winery. It's simply the first one I came to when I Googled the web using - pinot noir cancer.

Incidentally, Pinot Noir is also a major component of white and pink Champagne. [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img] T.