Need more info?  In a recent Food & Wine article, they extolled the specific benefits.

Promotes longevity.  Wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer or spirits drinkers.

Reduces heart-attack risk.  Moderate drinkers suffering from high blood pressure are 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack than nondrinkers.

Lowers risk of heart disease.  Red wine tannins contain procyanidins, which protect against heart disease.

Reduces risk of Type 2 diabetes.  Moderate drinkers have 30 percent less risk than nondrinkers of developing type 2 diabetes.

Lowers risk of stroke.  The possibility of suffering a blood clot-related stroke drops by about 50 percent in people who consume moderate amounts of alcohol.

Cuts risk of cataracts.  Moderate drinkers are 32 percent less likely to get cataracts than nondrinkers; those who consume wine are 43 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those drinking mainly beer.

Cuts risk of colon cancer.  Moderate consumption of wine (especially red) cuts the risk of colon cancer by 45%.

Slows brain decline.  Brain function declines at a markedly faster rate in nondrinkers than in moderate drinkers.

Photo courtesy of Morgue File.

Raspberry Champagne Spritzer

6 strawberries, diced, plus 8 beautiful whole strawberries for garnishing
6 tablespoons raspberry sorbet
15 mint leaves, torn apart
1 bottle brut champagne or prosecco

Slice the whole strawberries vertically, just halfway up to the crown.  Set aside to use as garnish.

Just before serving, place a tablespoon of sorbet in the bottom of a champagne flute.  Place the mint leaves and some chopped strawberries in the glass and pour in the champagne, being careful not to fill it so much that it froths over.

Garnish each glass (makes 4 to 6) with a sliced strawberry and serve immediately.

Looking for the perfect cocktail for Valentine’s Day? Try this one:

Tickled Pink
Take 2/3 glass of champagne and pour X-Rated over it.

Doesn’t get much simpler than that, and it sounds like the perfect way to begin an evening of romance. If that doesn’t do it for you, you can find many more pink treats right here.

Bottoms up!

Photo courtesy of X-Rated.

These Wine Lovers Gift Tags run $13 for a pack of 50, and come in various shapes and sizes and even include the ribbon for tying it to the wine bottle.  They might just add a little bit of humorous conversation to the next party to boot.

Myth:  A screw cap means the wine is cheap.
Fact: Some of the world’s most forward-thinking wineries are using screw caps these days.  They’re easy to open and reclose, and they preserve the wine longer.

Myth: Older wine is better.
Fact:  Most wine sold today isn’t meant to be aged.  If it’s from a reputable source, it’s safe to assume that it’s ready to drink.

The average cost of corkage around the country is about $25, which is infinitely more reasonable, but even those establishments that have reasonable corkage fees, they, perhaps surprisingly, come with their own set of rules.  One of the more popular restaurants in San Francisco, Michael Mina, for example, has a two-bottle limit with their $35 per bottle fee, and the bottles that you bring can’t be something that they have on the house list.  That certainly makes sense, and if you’re planning on bringing your own bottle of wine to your next dinner reservation, it’s a good idea to call ahead to inquire as to the restaurant’s fee and their own individual rules.  You know, “know before you go,” and all that.In her recent Corkage article, Lettie shared seven cheap corkage spots for your drinking pleasure:

Where to Go

Metro Marche, New York City ($10).  This bus-station brasserie has good food and cheap corkage.  625 Eighth Avenue, 212-239-1010

Sip Sak, New York City ($13).  Great Turkish food and a low corkage fee.  928 Second Avenue, 212-583-1900

Dehlia Lounge, Seattle ($15).  Corkage here is just $15, as it is at all of Tom Douglas’s restaurants.  2001 Fourth Avenue, 206-682-4142

Market, St. Helena, California ($15).  Corkage is free on Tuesday nights at this friendly diner.  1347 Main Street, 707-963-3799

Charlie Palmer Steak, Washington, DC ($25).  If you bring an American wine, the corkage is free; otherwise, it’s $25.  101 Constiutution Avenue NW, 202-547-8100

Naha, Chicago ($25).  There are lots of great corkage spots in Chicago, but this restaurant also has terrific food.  500 North Clark Street, 312-321-6242

Michael Mina, San Francisco ($35).  This top restaurant has a great wine list and a fair corkage fee as well.  335 Powell Street, 415-397-9222.

1. Check Out More Obscure Varietals
Instead of trying to impress with Merlot, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, pick wines made with less-popular grape varietals. The Nerello Mascalese varietal from Sicily is similar to Pinot Noir. One winery to look for is Di Giovanna. Merlot drinkers often like the Garnacha varietal from Spain, and the Garnacha de Fuego label is a sure bet. The Primitivo grape from Puglia, Italy, is a cousin of Zinfandel. You’ll wow dinner guests with a bottle from the Torre Quatro winery. Best of all, these can be had for less than $15 a bottle.

2. Look Into Up-and-Coming Wine Regions
Tuscany, Napa Valley and the Côte d’Or are the premier grape-growing regions of the world. Down the street from their gold-coast neighbors lie lesser-known regions whose wines are a steal: Le Marche in Italy, the central coast of California and the Macon region in Burgundy, France.

Rosso Piceno is a red wine produced in Le Marche, and the Boccadigabbia label puts out a great version. Syrah from the central coast is gaining a marvelous reputation. Try a bottle from the Andrew Murray winery. The elegant Chardonnays of the Macon are best represented by Jadot and Hertiers du Comte Lafon. Again, all cost less than $15.

3. Seek Out “Second Label” Wines
Just as upscale designer Vera Wang recently created a clothing line for mass retailer Kohl’s, many of the most-popular winemakers produce affordable “second label” wines. Talley Vineyards in California is best known for its Rosemary’s Vineyard wines but also produces several others under the name Bishop’s Peak, including a fi ne Syrah.

Even the celebrated winemakers of Bordeaux, France, do this with their surplus grapes. Their second labels are still pricey, but consider this: A 2006 bottle of Chateau Latour is $500; the second label, Les Forts de La Tour, costs $100. It’s the same recipe for a fifth of the price. Not exactly cheap, but a bottle of Bordeaux like this makes for a memorable gift or a wonderful way to toast a special occasion. Cheers!

Southern Living magazine

Served in a martini glass that is rimmed with red sugar and filled with “shaken-not-stirred cinnamon Schnapps, butterscotch Schnapps, and Bailey’s Original Irish Cream,” it sounds like the perfect way to usher in the upcoming holiday season.

If that just doesn’t do it for you, Jeff Dziak, the food and beverage director there, also suggested a Cranberry Christmas Cooler, which is frozen cranberry concentrate, Champagne and a few whole berries for extra sparkle.  Mmm, how can you not love the holidays when you kick it off with a drink like that?

Photo from the Morgue File.

They also offer a daily $5 tasting tour, and if you visit December 1, 2, 8 or 9, you can grab their mulled cider wine for free from 12-4.