| |
| |
|
|
|
Counting Carbs With Wine
The recent health claims that wines have antioxidants in them that may block free radicals, prevent heart disease, cancer, and other conditions associated with aging seems to have some validity. Polyphenol, catechin, and cholesterol-reducing resveratrol are found predominately in red wines in various degrees. One suggestion as to why some of these antioxidants are present in red wines is that grapes that have been distressed during their growth will exhibit the highest level of antioxidants. Red-skinned grapes seem to have better growing success in less temperate climates but exhibit the effects of stressful weather conditions in the form of higher levels of resveratrol. Before all you wine enthusiasts start shouting, "I told you so!" let me point out that many of the same antioxidant benefits can also be found in dark beers, too. What low-carbohydrate dieters are most concerned about with wine, however, is its carbohydrate count, loosely a function of the wine's residual sugar content. Although residual sugar levels are often made available by vintners and are a good indication as to the possible dryness or sweetness of a wine (the higher the number, the sweeter the wine), we can't, unfortunately, extrapolate the carbohydrate count of the wine from this figure without a full lab analysis. Some wine-related Web sites say that there are no carbohydrates in dry wine, a glaring example of people who have no idea of the mechanics of fermentation. The process of converting sugars to alcohol and carbon dioxide during fermentation is limited by the attenuation of the yeast or the manipulation of the fermentation by the vintner. In order for a wine to have no carbohydrates in it, it would have to be pure alcohol, in other words, distilled. Of course at that point, the liquid would no longer be wine, but brandy or cognac. All-and I repeat-all wines, including dry wines, have some residual sugar left behind after the fermentation process ends. Residual sugar equals carbohydrates. If it were possible to use fermentation to convert a sugary liquid into a drink that was free of carbohydrates, the process of distillation would be a meaningless procedure. Only after distillation, when the resultant liquid is transformed into ethyl alcohol (ethanol), will a once-fermented liquid truly become carbohydrate-free. You might notice while shopping for wine that some fruit-blended wines actually carry a nutritional analysis statement on them. For any wine with an alcohol content of less than 7% by volume, the Food and Drug Administration actually has jurisdiction over the nutritional labeling of the product. However, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has jurisdiction over the mandated government warnings that are also found on the labels of these wines and of all alcohol-based products. This is one of the few times that the FDA gets involved in the realm of spirited beverages with the TTB. You'll also find nutritional information on ciders under 7%. What kind of a margin of error does the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau allow in the measurement of carbohydrates in wine? From the TTB ruling: Statements of carbohydrates and fat contents [on wine labels or advertising materials] are acceptable provided the actual carbohydrate or fat contents, as determined by ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the former alcohol trade regulatory agency) lab analysis, are within a reasonable range below, but in no case more than 20% above, the labeled amount. If you're on a low-carbohydrate diet and enjoy the occasional pressings from "the noble grape," the following list of wines with their carbohydrate counts should help you keep your daily carb intake in check: Barton & Guestier Cabernet Sauvignon ('02) 5 oz 1.70 g Chardonnay ('02) 5 oz 1.10 g French Tom Cabernet Sauvignon ('02) 5 oz 1.30 g French Tom Chardonnay ('02) 5 oz 1.10 g French Tom Merlot ('01) 5 oz 1.40 g
Bob Skilnik is a Chicagoland freelance writer who has written for the Chicago Tribune, the Collector Magazine, the American Breweriana Association's Journal and the National Association Breweriana Advertising's Breweriana Collector on the subjects of beer, brewery history and breweriana. He is a 1991 graduate of the Chicago-based Siebel Institute of Technology, the oldest brewing school in the United States, with a degree in Brewing Technology.
MORE RESOURCES: Socially, my favorite relationships are equal parts love, equal parts hate. It seems the one side cannot exist without the other. In my professional career, no single entity displays this duality better than Wine Spectator magazine see also: Decanter, Robert Parker Jr., Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spirits, et al.. Kitchens will be abuzz with activity in the next couple of weeks as household chefs prepare for the onslaught of dinner guests. Even the most honorable dieters seem to put aside moderate consumption at the Thanksgiving Day feast as if tomorrow was the start of a nationwide famine. Wine enthusiasts rejoice Beaujolais Nouveau Day is just around the corner, and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and Majestic Wine Spirits are playing host to three public tasting parties on Nov. 20 to celebrate the release of the first wine of the 2008 harvest. Addison, the fine dining restaurant at the new Grand Del Mar, has earned one of the most coveted awards of all: a Five Diamond rating from the Automobile Association of America. HARRISBURG, Pa.: Patrick P.J. Stapleton III, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, was sworn in yesterday for his fourth term on the board. Friday, Nov. 21 A Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show will be held at the Centenary College Equine Center on Nov. 21. For more information regarding schedule, call 908 852 1400, Ext. 7221. A wine tasting will be held 7:30 p.m. EBRD To Raise Investments by 20 Next Year To Combat Crisis in CEE Nov 20, 2008, 11:32 CET Story SeeNews SOFIA Bulgaria, November 20 SeeNews The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD said on Thursday it will raise investments by 20 to up to 7.0 billion euro 8.77 billion next year in response to the severe impact of the global economic crisis on central and eastern Curt Turner was the wine buyer for the Market at Jordan Creek. Fort Taber/Fort Rodman Military Museum: Museum illustrates the history of the fortification and military installations that were once part of the Fort Rodman complex, and also collects and displays the history of New Bedford area veterans. Hours are 1 4 Fusion, third liquor store for owners |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES Beer, Wine and Your Bones If you like the taste of a good brew, then here is some good news! In a recent research study of over 2,900 women and men, researchers found that beer, which contains silicon, may promote bone health. Silicon is a mineral that is thought to stimulate collagen production, which is a building block in bone formation. Tequila It was once a ritual usually performed by a man. He would put some salt where the bottom of the thumb met his wrist. Tasting Wine Wine Tasting Component I: LookThe first step you have to undertake in wine tasting is visual.1. Uses of Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest among many Americans. This is because the market for crazy contact lenses has continued to grow and be popular, so, as a result, contact companies are continually faced with making the next best thing. Merlot Wine Merlot wine is a rich, soft wine with the flavor of blackberries, beloved because it is seldom harsh and not as acidic as a Cabernet Sauvignon with which it is often blended. Merlot wine has the added advantage of being rich and supple but only moderately tannic and, therefore, wonderfully drinkable from early on. Pairing Beer With Food Pairing beer with the fine cuisine has recently come to the attention of many eating establishments as they try to cater to the 90's micro-brew crowd. No longer is wine considered the only drink fit for a succulent entree. The Origin of the Cocktail The cocktail has the distinction of being an original American drink.Its origins are murky, but the most common accounts name one Antoine Amedee Peychaud, a young Creole from a distinguished French family, as the originator of the drink. Carignane Wine The Carignane grape variety is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world. It's popularity stems from the high crop yeilds that it produces as well as the characteristics that it can bring to a wine. The Truth About Red Wine and Heart Disease Red Wine, Heart Disease, Hungry Sharks and Knights in Shining ArmorWhat is so special about wine? What is it that makes it potentially more protective against coronary heart disease, and perhaps other diseases, that other forms of alcohol?In recent years, scientists have concluded without doubt that many human diseases such as heart disease, cancer and the aging process is caused or stimulated by a ravenous group of chemicals called free radicals, that act like hungry sharks. These highly charged little villains prowl the body and attack healthy cell membranes through a process that is called oxidation. Wine, Wine, Wine What in the world is up!Was there a full moon or something? As I went through this past week I was struck by what seemed to be the theme for the week. I came to the conclusion that there are some career whiners out there. Whisky Syndicates Whisky syndicates are groups of private owners and many have been around for years. The main purpose is to bring together a group of like-minded people to enjoy the benefits of cost sharing in order to invest in whisky casks and to eventually bottle for private consumption. An Idiots Guide To Wine Tasting Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a spot of the old wine tasting malarkey? You know the form - sip, swill, spit. Yuck! Well this information has been written to help you understand the form should you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to know what to do. Riesling Wine The most famous cool climates for Riesling wine are in Germany, Austria, and the Alsace region of France. In these places, Riesling wine can be dazzling, with intense mineral and peach flavors and breathtaking clarity and transparency. The Cocktail Party A cocktail party can be more daunting than a dinner party if you don't remember the rules. However, it is a great way to kick back and relax with your friends. Who Made the First Wine Anyway? Although details are understandably sketchy, it is believed that, around 6000 BC, grapes were being grown and wine was being made in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq).Mesopotamia and Egypt Wine was popular with the pharaohs of ancient Egypt from about 3000 BC onwards. Rare Varietals Cure Wine Boredom The future of the Australian wine industry will be shaped by a group of innovative grapegrowers and winemakers who are busily experimenting with new varieties in new regions.The phenomenal success of the industry in producing quality wine at competitive prices does not need recounting here. Wine Tasting -- The Traditional Way Wine tasting is properly known as 'Wine Degustation'. It is the art of being able to note the various differences between difference types of wine, and even the various differences between the vintages of the same type of wine. Overcoming Red Wine Spills Red wine spills can be a disaster whether they occur in your home or onboard your $43 million executive jet as members of our corporate flight attendant web community are quick to point out. Taking care of a spill is another thing, but we have discovered two "tried and true" solutions to the problem. Wine and Your Health During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV show that drinking red wine reduces heart disease. It made all the headlines. The Harmony between Wine and Food Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in the company of friends and ..
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
