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Wine Benefits You May Get From Your Glass of Red

wine benefits red wine grapes for crushing

In the U.S. we drink more wine than any other country in the world. We’ve all heard that drinking wine can have health benefits and we’ve probably been guilty of pouring another glass thinking, “Hey, it’s good for my heart!”

But, are we really getting health benefits from our favorite bottle? We took a look at some of the research to find out if wine is the health hero we hope it to be.

Wine and Benefits for Your Heart

According to the American Heart Association in 2019, “no research has established a cause-and-effect link between drinking alcohol and better heart health.” But, studies have found an association with wine and benefits like a lower risk of dying from heart disease.

There is also research that shows a connection between moderate alcohol consumption and increased “good” HDL cholesterol levels as well as a lower risk of diabetes

The problem is no one knows whether wine is the hero in these cases, or if the lower risk of heart disease or diabetes is because people who drink wine also happen to have healthy habits like exercising or eating a Mediterranean diet (known to be heart-friendly).

The bottom line for your heart health is that a glass of wine a day isn’t about to replace the apple a day adage. Wine could have some benefits, but only in moderation (one drink a day for women and up to two for men) alongside other healthy habits like eating well and exercising.

wine benefits red wine flight on a bar winter wine

Can wine prevent aging?

You’ve probably heard of the antioxidant resveratrol. It’s found primarily in the skins of grapes but also in other fruits like blueberries. Red wine has more resveratrol than white wine because the grape skins are fermented longer.

Resveratrol is known to protect our cells from damage from free radicals, which are molecules that are linked to aging. They increase in our bodies if we’re exposed to things like smoking or air pollutants. Resveratrol binds to free radicals and slows the aging process.

Studies show that resveratrol can do a lot more for our bodies than just slow down wrinkles, including improving cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of diabetes according to the Mayo Clinic. 

The catch is it’s impossible to eat or drink enough resveratrol to get the same benefits that have been seen in studies where participants are given 250-500 mg daily or more. The average 5 ounce glass of red wine contains about 1 mg of resveratrol at most. So to get 500 mg daily, you’d need to drink almost 500 glasses of wine daily.

One study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism showed that a 40 mg daily dose of resveratrol may also have some health benefits, but that converts to 40 glasses of wine a day, so sadly it’s not possible to gain the benefits solely from wine. 

Resveratrol dietary supplements are available in varying concentrations but there is some concern that too much resveratrol could actually have a negative impact on your health. So, always consult your doctor before adding a health supplement to your diet.  

The bottom line? Enjoy your red wine for its rich flavors, the way it pairs with your favorite carbonara, and helps you decompress at the end of a long day. There are other ways you can get antioxidants in your diet too by eating antioxidant foods like grapes, blueberries, peanuts, and dark chocolate. Consider the potential health benefits of wine to be an added bonus, but remember you still need to exercise and eat healthy too.

Does Natural Wine Have Health Benefits?

As the natural food movement has taken hold, more people are drawn to natural wines. They’re made without any additives or added sulfites and with very little intervention from the winemaker. For these reasons, a lot of people think that natural wines are better for you. At Snow Farm Vineyard, we make a natural wine called Snow Trip.

There aren’t any known health benefits related to natural wine. The main benefit of drinking natural wine is that it contains fewer sulfites (a preservative). All wines naturally contain sulfites, and they aren’t necessarily bad. Some people say sulfites give them headaches, so they may find a natural wine to go over more smoothly because it only has naturally occurring sulfites.

Other additives used in conventional wine include tannins and enzymes. Some wineries may use dairy, egg, or shellfish. If you have an allergy to one of those additives, you may also prefer natural wine.

wine benefits red wine bottle being poured

Wine in Your Stress Relief and Relaxation Routine

Wine can help you relax, when used responsibly, and as long as it is not something you depend on.

As you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or at the end of the day, take a meditative moment to experience all five senses and be fully present.

Listen to the sounds around you, notice if your dog is snoring or if the kids are giggling. Don’t judge it just let it be. Notice your breathing, take in the smell of the wine, and imagine how you’d describe the taste and aromas.

Imagine for a moment you’ve transported yourself to Snow Farm Vineyard and you’re relaxing in a warm, sunny field of grapevines on the shores of Lake Champlain.

As it becomes easier to be distracted these days, the key to living a healthy and happy life is to find a balance in everything. It’s so important to take moments for ourselves to be fully present so that we can reduce stress and fully experience our lives without regret.

Cheers to your health!

The 10 Best Things to Do in Vermont by a Vermonter

You’ll find endless lists of things to do in Vermont. The beauty of the state offers countless ways to reconnect with nature, your inner self, and the people you love.

As a born and raised Vermonter, here are some of the things I love to do in Vermont with my family and friends. 

thing to do in vermont

1. Visit a Dairy Farm

At Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero, farming is in our blood because our family (the Lanes) owned and operated a dairy farm for many years on the same land that our vineyard is now located. Vermont is home to over 600 dairy farms, many of which are open to the public. Dairy farming is a big part of the way of life in Vermont. When you visit a dairy farm you’ll leave with a deep appreciation for how your milk, cheese, and yogurt are made, especially if you visit a farm that bottles their own milk, like Monument Farms in Weybridge.

vermont vineyard things to do in vermont

2. Visit a Vermont Vineyard or Brewery with a View 

Vermont is famous for it’s craft wines and beers. As someone who works for a vineyard, I’ve tasted and visited most of the competition! The best experiences are when you can appreciate the beauty of nature and the land your beverage was made from.

Our tasting room in South Hero is located within our 13+ acre vineyard, and is surrounded by Lake Champlain and mountain views – a true Vermont experience.

Other great spots to appreciate the beauty of Vermont and craft beverages are: Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, Von Trapp Family Lodge (the Kaffeehaus and the Bierhall have views), and Foam Brewers’ Waterfront taproom (overlooks Lake Champlain). 

things to do in vermont tree tap in a maple tree

3. Visit a Sugarhouse and Walk Through the Sugar Woods

No matter the time of year, a walk or snowshoe through the sugar woods where hundreds of maple trees are cared for, and a visit to a sugarhouse where the syrup is made, is a true Vermont experience. 

Vermont is the number one maple syrup-producing state in the U.S. If you visit us and don’t try our maple syrup, you’re missing out! At Snow Farm Vineyard, we also make and sell maple syrup. Making maple syrup is a family affair that brings us together to appreciate nature’s gifts just as winter is coming to an end. 

March and April are prime maple season. You’ll see steam rising from sugarhouses across the state as sugarmakers boil sap into syrup. If you’re here in the springtime, you’ll have lots of options for sugarhouses to visit; just call to see if you can swing by to catch syrup being made!

There are plenty of ways to enjoy maple all year by picking up some local products or visiting sugarhouses that have retail stores open year-round like Palmer Lane Maple in Jericho or Silloway Maple in Randolph. 

4. Hike Sunset Ridge, Camel's Hump, Stowe Pinnacle or Sterling Pond 

Hiking is an all-season option in Vermont. Two of the most popular and more challenging hikes in the state are the Sunset Ridge Trail in Jericho (pictured above) to the top of Mt. Mansfield (the highest peak in the state), and Camel’s Hump which you can start from either Huntington or Duxbury. They both offer some of the best views in the state. Of course, during winter you’ll need to take safety precautions and wear appropriate gear. 

For shorter options but just as rewarding views, there is Stowe Pinnacle in Stowe or Sterling Pond in Jeffersonville. The trail head for the Sterling Pond hike is located on Route 108 which is closed during the winter because it’s so narrow. A popular thing to do in the winter is park at Stowe Mountain Resort and snow shoe or hike to the top of the mountain road. You’ll look up to see 1,000 foot cliffs and massive boulders. 

5. Check out the Vermont Rail Trails & Bike Paths

There are many walking and biking trails in Vermont that are open all year round including trails that used to be for our railroads. In Northern Vermont, the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, stretches 26 miles from St. Albans to Richford. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is 93 miles from St. Johnsbury to Swanton. The Cross Vermont Trail runs 87 miles and the width of the state, from Newbury to Burlington.

In Burlington, there is the popular waterfront bike path with the striking views. The bikepath leads to the Colchester Causeway. In the summer a bike ferry can bring you to the Champlain Islands from the causeway, where you can then visit island destinations like Snow Farm Vineyard, The Blue Paddle Bistro, and Hackett’s Orchard. 

The Stowe bike path (pictured above) is also a great one to check out with mountain views, restaurants, and retail shops you can stop to enjoy along the way.

things to do in vermont burlington waterfront

6. Visit the Burlington Waterfront for Dining with a View

The Burlington waterfront is the crown jewel of Vermont. There are so many things to do but the best are when you can enjoy the view of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. Check out Spot on the Dock in the summer for waterfront dining right on the dock.

Year-round you can enjoy views of the lake at Burlington Bay Market and Cafe, Shanty on the Shore, and the Skinny Pancake. Walk off your dinner with a stroll on the Burlington bike path which runs alongside the lake. 

things to do in vermont scenic 100 sugarbush resort pond skimming

7. Drive Scenic Route 100 

Route 100 spans over 200 miles through over 30 quintessential Vermont towns. It’s well known because it winds through the mountains and past some of the best attractions in the state including many ski resorts in Southern and Central Vermont (Sugarbush Resort pictured above for their annual pond skimming event).

Some of the top spots to visit in your way include: Vermont Country store in Weston, American Flatbread in Waitsfield, Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury, Couture’s Maple Shop & B&B in Westfield, and Moss Glen Falls in Granville.

Check out this list of even more stops on Route 100.

8. Check out the Many Farmers Markets

Vermont agriculture and artisanship is on display throughout the year at farmers markets. There are more options in the summer, but still plenty of great spots in the winter too. It’s a great way to support small food and fiber producers. Many farmers markets in Vermont have live music. Bring a blanket and taste and try seasonal products you wouldn’t get a chance to have otherwise! It’s also a great spot to find gifts to bring back home.

Check out this list of farmers markets and their schedules from NOFA-VT.

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

9. Visit Quechee Gorge

Quechee Gorge is known as the “Little Grand Canyon.” You can walk across the canyon on a bridge and look at the nearly 200 ft drop below. The gorge was formed by glaciers thousands of years ago, and today the Ottaquechee River runs through it. There is a hiking trail that goes around the gorge, and plenty of spots to picnic and take in the scenery. 

10. Visit Little River State Park

Vermont has 21 state parks and they are all worth exploring any time of year. Pictured above is the Waterbury Reservoir at Little River State Park in Waterbury, with Hunger Mountain in the background. Little River State Park is unique because, in addition to the large reservoir, it offers an easy “history hike” that takes you through the remnants of an old village that was abandoned nearly 100 years ago. 

This collection of things to do in Vermont was put together by Snow Farm Vineyard. We hope you visit us in South Hero, shop our online store, or pick up our wine available in stores across the state, while you're out enjoying Vermont!