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Something akin
to the shot heard 'round the world on the dawn of American
Revolutionary War, was heard in the wine world Sunday night, November
17, 1991. The event was the airing of The French Paradox segment on 60
minutes. The French Paradox was a term coined on that program to
describe the apparent unlikely relationship between that fact that
while the French, especially those in Southwestern France, eat
inexcusable amounts of heart-stopping, artery-clogging saturated fats,
smoke Gauloise cigarettes, and exercise very little, they have one of
the lowest heart attack rates in the world. Their moderate and daily
consumption of red wine was given as the most likely reason for this
phenomenon. The program unleashed a red wine mainia. Within weeks of
this program, sales of red wine in the United States, shot up 40%
(about 2.5 million bottles) and Gallo Winery had to put their leading
brand, Hearty Burgundy, on allocation. The sales of red wine for the
year following the broadcast was up 39%. American's had taken this
health message to heart.
The Apostle Paul
recommended to Timothy to drink wine for his stomach's sake and for
his often infirmities. The Bible often makes
references to the value of wine for health and enjoyment. Our
ancestors knew of its aid to health when drunk in moderation. In fact,
up until the 18th century, wine played a central role in medicine.
Wine inhibits the growth of all micro-organisms that are the cause of
disease in man. Because of its alcohol and acid content, they simple
die in it.
In the modern world,
wine is accepted as a healthful drink. Only in the United States are
we once again, beginning to rediscover its value to society. For many
years, we focused in the dangers of overindulgence. To be sure, there
are dangers to the over-use of wine. The Bible too, warns of this. But
in moderation, it is a healthy beverage. |
