OWC Researchers at the University of Barcelona measured consumption of 1232 participants over a period of up to five years and established that those who drank 12 to 35 glasses of wine a month had a 50% lower risk of a heart attack than those who had no more than just one per month. The study published in the European Heart Journal stated that statins cut the risk by around 30% in comparison.
OWC Young drinkers in their 20’s are turning their taste to Guinness. It may be one of the reasons why there was a shortage of the black stuff prior to Christmas. There has been a 24% surge in the number of female drinkers in the past year converting to Guinness with many drinkers also under 30 enjoying this splendid stout.
OWC Mulled Wine has not dodged the trend in reducing the alcohol content and upping the cost. Four of the major supermarkets were offering Mulled Wine at 5.5% ABV in 2022 and 5.0% ABV this Christmas with two of them increasing the cost and two retaining the same cost. One other reduced the ABV from 8% in 2022 to 5% in 2023 reducing the price from £3.89 to £3.00, only to increase the price to £4.00 while retaining 5% ABV this Christmas.
OWC Nearly half of wine lovers are baffled by its terminology. According to a survey 48% of drinkers have been caught out by using terminology they don’t understand at dinner parties. 60% of drinkers polled thought ‘Terroir’ meant ‘terribly good’ Other terms that caused confusion were ‘Oenology’ ‘Maceration’ and ‘Cuvee’- each one 41%. According to Oliver Hoey of the Australian wine brand CTZN which commissioned the poll of 2000 Britons that ‘Brits love wine, but want the confidence to talk about it in social settings’
OWC A poll of young adults aged 18 – 24 revealed that around 75% didn’t own a corkscrew. This compares to an average 80% of over 65’s owning one. The survey was conducted by the retailer Lakeland. Winemakers are announcing the death of the corkscrew with the increase of screw-tops and soaring levels of young people abstaining from drinking alcohol. Around 28% of young adults have not had a drink in the last 12 months compared to 18% in 2011 according to NHS data.
OWC Kylie Minogue’s wine brand is booming with £30 million sales , an increase of almost 20%. Announced on her 56th birthday in May. The brand launched four years ago has sold more than 15 million bottles worldwide. Her £9 signature rose is her best seller and her 0% sparkling rose is top of the pops in the UK’s non-alcoholic premium fizz chart this year.
OWC With the trend for ‘Skinny Wine’ with less calories on the up, here are a few suggestions. Drink wine with a lower ABV. It’s the alcohol level that pushes up the calories. Opt for lower ABV wines from cooler regions. Lighter whites like German Riesling and Portuguese Vinho Verde come in at around 9-11% with lower calorie content. Light bodied wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and cool climate Pinot Noir would be good choices in your quest for slimline wines. Wines from vineyards at higher altitudes near the sea generally have lower alcohol levels. Champagnes with no added sugar and low ABV would be a good choice. There is also a growing trend in warmer climes for ‘midi’ wines made from grapes which are picked before they fully ripen, helping keep the alcohol and sugar levels down.
OWC Sir Nick Faldo the renowned golfer has his own wine brand. His label is in the form of his ‘Faldo’ emblem which displays six stripes to represent his six major championships. His brand name has come under scrutiny from the Italian prosecco producer ‘Valdo’ who in their opinion, having a similar name which could cause confusion in the marketplace. The former golfer defended his brands position commenting that the word ‘Aldo’ is a common grouping of letters in the Italian language which can be found worldwide in many variations. He also respectfully drew the comparison of notoriety between a wine brand from a small town in Italy to a six-time major championship winner who has been in the global spot-light for more than 40 years.
OWC A rare bottle of whisky was sold for $2.7m (£2.1m) - breaking the record for the most expensive wine or spirit sold at auction. The sale took place in November 2023. The Macallan 1926 single malt is one of the world's most sought-after bottles of Scotch whisky. It was sold by Sotheby's at more than double its estimated price. The whisky spent 60 years maturing in dark oak sherry casks before becoming one of just 40 bottled in 1986. The 40 bottles were reportedly not made available for purchase - instead, some were offered to The Macallan's top clients.
OWC Oxygen ages wine. Check out Winewizard which uses patented 'Low oxygen' bubbles which instantly react with compounds in the wine, replicating the effects of bottle ageing. The bubbles Increase the surface area, speeding the evaporation effects of decanting. Works on low-cost wines, but apparently really comes into its own with mid-priced wines which benefit from a bit more time open. Retails for around £50.
OWC It appears that scientists have devised algorithms that can distinguish the difference between Scotch and American whisky and that AI can identify the strongest aromas. The findings from a group of German researchers, were published in the Journal, Communications Chemistry. Whisky's aromas are challenging to assess. It was stated that researchers tested the molecular composition of seven American and Nine Scotch whiskies and that algorithms were able to identify the five strongest notes of a specific whisky more accurately and more consistently than any individual expert.... I have a feeling AI will figure strongly in further blogs during 2025.
