Madiran wines produced in the southwest of France, where men live longer than the average, have higher levels of Procyanidins

August 24, 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

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
(045) 841 4006 / 0922-870-5173 / 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

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.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

www.YatsRestaurant.com
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com