Recent research* indicates that cheese can help prevent dental caries. According to the National Dairy Council, eating cheese promotes the production of saliva which protects teeth from enamel breakdown. Cheeses such as aged Cheddar, Swiss, blue, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Brie, Gouda, and American process cheese prevent plaque pH from falling to a level conducive to the development of caries (NDC, 2009). Lactose intolerant? Try aged cheeses… they have little, if any, lactose and are a great source of calcium which can help prevent osteoporosis and improve bone health.
Check out our currently featured cheeses:
San Andreas - sheep’s milk cheese from Bellwether Farms in Sonoma County. This raw milk farmstead cheese is a Bellwether original. Smooth and full-flavored, it’s a delicious table cheese. Try it with an aged red wine, bread and olives.
Pierre Robert - cow’s milk triple-creme brie from Seine-et-Marne, France. Buttery, smooth, and mild, this cheese ought to be eaten spread on bread or even graham crackers. Pair this cheese with Champagne, Muscat, or a hearty Stout.
Val d’Aosta - cow’s milk fontina from Italy. Italian cousin to the French Gruyère. Fontina is earthy, mushroomy, and woody, and pairs exceedingly well with roast meats and truffles. This cheese also pairs well with a burly red wine - try a Barolo from Piemonte to the south, or a Zweigelt from Austria to the northeast.
*The research was published by the National Dairy Council regarding the health benefits of cheese.
Summer is here, and a plethora of fresh produce is among us. Right now, locally-grown zucchini is readily available and perfect for the grill. Peaches and nectarines are also in season and grill up nicely. Paired with some cool vanilla ice cream, these sweet treats make a lovely dessert on a warm summer night.
WINE AND HEALTH: A NEW STUDY IN FAVOR OF MODERATE CONSUMPTION
A recent study* published in the March issue of the American journal Gastroenterology, demonstrated that moderate wine consumption offers protection against Barrett’s esophagus, a complication of the chronic gastroesophageal reflux which causes a predisposition to esophageal cancer. Subjects who were drinking between 7 and 14 glasses of wine per week, reduced their risk of developing the disease by 19 to 56%.
Isn’t this a reminder of the famous French paradox? This concept was born almost twenty years ago, when statisticians and cardiologists emphasized the relationship between regular and moderate wine consumption and the reduction of cardio-vascular risks. The phenomenon received this name mainly because in France, despite identical risk factors, the number of heart attacks is one of the lowest in all of the industrialized countries. An enigma which, for certain researchers, is explained by the French wine culture, among other things.
We need to state, however, that this American study also shows that alcohol consumption in excess of 2 glasses a day increases the risks of developing this disease by 44%.
*The study was conducted by Kaiser Permanente in Oakland (California) on 953 male and female patients who were interviewed on their alcoholic beverage consumption habits.
Well, here we are, Vintage Vinny moving into the modern era with the introduction of the Vintage Wine Merchants Blog Spot. This is our blog for all of us (and you) to provide a forum on all things Vinny: wine, food, life, Santana Row and any other thing that might be interesting to ponder. So the boys will log in every now and then and throw out their thoughts. Agree or disagree, like or dislike, log on every few days and see what the boys are up to.
An early adopter of biodynamic viticulture, Anne-Claude Leflaive of
Domaine Leflaive talks about her family’s history in the finest crus
of Puligny-Montrachet, as well as the importance of influencing other
winemakers to protect their vineyards, and clients, through
environmentally friendly practices.
