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From times immemorial, red wine has enjoyed the monopoly of being the only category of wine that was ‘good for health’. Although there is a lack of definite proof to support the beliefs, red wine eliminates fat deposits in the arteries and reduces the risk of coronary disorders. Recently, a particular white wine called “Paradoxe Blanc” has stolen the monopoly, which red wine has enjoyed so far.

Paradoxe Blanc is the creation of a group of researchers led by Pierre Louis Teissedre at the Oenology and Pharmacology Departments of the University of Montpellier. The wine was named after the famous paradox of the French diet, which, in spite of being rich in fatty foods, hardly causes coronary disorders in the French people. The cause for this was ascribed to the regular wine-drinking habit of the French people. Paradoxe Blanc has been specifically created for people suffering from Type 1 or juvenile diabetes.

The researchers selected Chardonnay grapes, which are known for the richness of their polyphenol content, from Languedoc’s Aude region. The wine was made just as any red wine is made. The grapes were crushed and softened for six days before heating them to higher-than-usual temperatures. Prolonged contact with the skins of the grapes has raised the polyphenol level of the wine by four times.

Dr. Teissedre recommends diabetics to take a glass or two of the wine per day. The researchers have conducted tests on diabetic rats, which proved that the wine could restore the antioxidant levels in the blood back to normal, even when all the alcohol in it was removed. However, there is no proof to show that the wine can reduce fat deposits in the arteries, and as a consequence, reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

However, the wine has failed to impress many members of the medical community. Eleanor Kennedy of the Charity Diabetes UK suggests that diabetics eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to get rid of diabetes. Belinda Linden, the Head of Medical Information at the British Heart Foundation, has cautioned against drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

The New Scientist says that this wine could be a new generation of wines deliberately enriched with antioxidants. Excited winemakers are now eager to exploit the market offered by the wine. Currently, Domaine Virginie-Castel, near Beziers, is marketing the wine.

Filed under: White Wines, Reviews