10 + 1 reasons to drink wine

Strengthens bones

According to a study from Tufts University in Boston (USA) women who drink red or white wine are less likely to lose bone density than women who do not drink.

Reduce Heart Risk

A study from Harvard University (USA.) Found that those who consume wine in moderation are 30% less likely to suffer a heart attack.

Antibacterial

Both red wine and white wine have antibacterial properties. This was highlighted by the study conducted by the expert Martin E. Weisse of West Virginia University (USA), which shows that the wine has the capability to reduce bacteria in food, protecting the human body.

Prevent Blindness

Red wine can stop the growth of blood vessels out of control in the eye (angiogenesis) that causes blindness, according to a study by a team of researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis (USA ). Again is resveratrol, the compound may be in the wine, which protects vision.

Against depression

According to a study of scientists in Spanish universities, drinking wine can reduce the risk of depression. The experiment was conducted with 2,683 men and 2,822 women (55 to 80 years old, over 7 years). They found that in both cases, those drinking 6 or 7 glasses of wine per week were less likely to be diagnosed with depression (even taking into account lifestyle factors).

Lowers cholesterol

Studies have proven that a glass of red wine a day decreases the concentration of atherogenic plaques in the arteries and increases levels of HDL or good cholesterol, improving cardiovascular health.

Decreases the chances of colon cancer

Scientists at the University of Leicester (UK) explained that moderate consumption of red wine on a regular basis can reduce the rate of intestinal tumors by approximately 50%.

It helps prevent dementia

A team of scientists from Loyola University Medical Center (USA) analyzed data from academic studies on red wine from 1977 until today. The studies showed a significantly lower risk of dementia on regular and moderate drinkers of red wine in 14 different countries. Resveratrol reduces the stickiness of platelets in the blood, which helps keep blood vessels open and flexible (no clots), which helps to maintain good blood supply to the brain.

Rich in minerals

Wine provides minerals such as: lithium (balancing the nervous system), magnesium (reduces stress), zinc (improves the immune system), potassium and calcium (ionic and electrical balance).

Slows aging

Consuming a glass of wine a day helps to delay the aging process due to its vasodilatory properties that fight oxidation of cells. It is also recommended for memory.

Prevents Breast Cancer

Drinking any kind of alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. However, consumption of red wine has the opposite effect, as concluded a study of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles (USA). The reason is that the chemicals in the skin and seeds of red grapes reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone levels, resulting in a lower risk of developing breast cancer.

Sangría con almíbar (Syrup Sangaree)

Ingredients (6 people)

1 liter / 2 pt red wine 
2 peaches
2 oranges
1 lemon
2 bananas
1 apple
75 ml./2.60 fl. oz water
3 heaping tablespoons sugar
1 cinnamon stick 
30 ml/1.20 fl. oz orange or lemon soda





Sangría is one the most popular and really refreshing summer drink, to enjoy with friends and family

Make a syrup with the sugar and water, heating until sugar dissolves, let cool.

Peel and cut the peaches, oranges, bananas, & apple in small pieces. Cut the lemon in 4 big pieces. Add the wine, syrup and cinnamon stick. 

Marinate for 2 or 3 hours in the refrigerator.

Pour into a jar, add orange or lemon soda, ice if needed, and serve very cold.

Wine Strawberry jam sandwich

20 slices of hand made bread
1/2 cup strawberry jam 
2 tablespoons of Rioja red wine 
10 slices of baked ham
10 slices of Manchego aged cheese
olive oil or unsalted butter








Heat the grilled. Mix the strawberry jam with the Rioja red wine. Spread the mixture on 10 of the handmade bread slices. 

Top with the ham and the manchego aged cheese, and close the sandwiches. Lightly butter the outside of the sandwiches, and cook over medium heat until toasted. If you don´t like butter, you can also toast the bread and add a bit of olive oil on top of the toasted bread.  This way you´ll be adding an amazing extra flavour. Cut in half and serve right away.

Vino dulce con nueces (Walnuts sweet wine)

12 walnuts
5 liters of red wine
2 kg of sugar



Peel the walnuts. Place the walnuts, red wine and sugar in a glass jar  with hermetic seal. Place in a cool dark place for 3 months. (Traditionally from October to December)

Ices Cubes

If you have some red or white wine remaining, you can make ice cubes and use it for cooking of with coke for drinking any other day. 


Chocolate or Coffee ice cubes are great with fresh milk or coconut milk. 

Coffee or chocolate ice cubes are also amazing with strawberries

Banana and orange juice ice cubes can make tasty icecreams.  

Granizado de Vino Tinto (Red Wine Granita)

Ingredients

8 tablespoons Natural Orange Juice
3 tablespoons honey
Red Wine 300ml







Add the orange juice with honey and warm up a bit. You can do this in a bowl in the microwave or in a small saucepan until the honey is dissolved.

Pastel de Yogurt con las cerezas al vino (Yogurt Cake with cherries to wine)

Ingredients for the cake

1 cup Greek yogurt

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/3 cup rice oil

pinch of salt

1 2/3 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

zest of 1 lemon

1 orange zest

Ingredients for cherries

1 cup of red wine

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon of grated orange peel

10 to 12 fresh cherries

Preparing to make the cake

Pre-heat oven to 170C. Grease and line a round springform pan 20 cm with baking paper.

Mix yogurt, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a bowl. Beat until light. Add the eggs and beat for another minute. Add the oil and beat for a couple of minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add flour, baking powder and zest. Beat until thoroughly mixed for a minute or two.

Infusión de Café con Vino Tinto (Infusion Coffee with Red Wine)

5 tablespoons of ground coffee

1 bottle of red wine

For the star anise syrup

1 cup water

1 cup brown sugar

12 star anise

For the cocktail

3 oz of red wine with the infusion of Coffee

2 teaspoons anise syrup

Cinnamon stick or lemon curl

Add the coffee beans to the wine bottle, close the bottle and let it stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Strain before using.

Cupcakes de Vino Tinto (Red Wine Cupcakes)

140 grams of white grapes

250 grams of flour

1 teaspoon pure cocoa

6 tablespoons wine YOUNG RED / Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon

100 grams of butter

100 grams of sugar

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking

50 grams of milk chocolate chips

2 eggs

For the glaze

2 tablespoons red wine

6 tablespoons sugar

Start peeling and removing the seeds of the grapes. The cut it into pieces, not too small.

In a pan mix the butter with the sugar, at room temperature. Add eggs, one at a time. We will combine all these ingredients well.

Peras al Vino Tinto (Pears in Red Wine)

Ingredients for 4 people

4 pears not very mature

125 gr. sugar

half a bottle of red wine

a spoonful of lemon juice

the skin of an orange or lemon

a sachet of vanilla sugar

pinch of ground cinnamon

2 cloves

star anise (optional)

cardamom (optional)

Peel the pears, which should be ripe but firm, so as to endure cooking. Are best left the stems.

Prepare a thick bottom saucepan, just large enough to fit the pears, a syrup by heating the sugar until melted, without caramelize. Add at this point the lemon juice, orange rind and spices.

Sorbete de Vino Tinto (Red Wine Smoothie)

1 1/2 cups red wine (ORLANDI TEMPRANILLO / CABERNET SAUVIGNON)

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 1/2 cup frozen raspberries

1 cup frozen blueberries

Add ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a wine glass and garnish with fruit on a skewer.

Helado de vino tinto ( Red Wine Icecream)

6 large egg yolks
2 cups thick cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup red wine








In a heatproof bowl, mix the egg yolks. In a saucepan mix the cream, milk and sugar and bring to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar for about 4 minutes. 

Gradually whisk the hot cream into the egg yolks, return the mixture to the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cream is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Do it for about 5 minutes, do not boil.

Polos de higo y vino (Fig and wine icecreams)

2 red wine cups (Young / Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon for example) 
2 tangerines or oranges
1 1/2 pound of figs
¼ cup honey



Place the wine, mandarins or oranges, figs and honey in a food processor or blender and blend until a puree, about 1-2 minutes. Pour the mixture through a sieve.

Pour the mixture in a icecream shaped bowl and frozen for 2 hours or until the mixture begins to solidify enough to maintain an upright stick. Insert then popsicle sticks.

Tinto de Verano (Summer Red Wine)

1/2 cup red wine (see serving suggestion below)

1/2 cup lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or 7-up

ice

slice of lemon

In a tall glass of at least 20 ounces, place 3-4 ice cubes. Add red wine and soda. Garnish with a lemon slice. An expensive wine will not be required.