The resveratrol consistency in red wine

Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol called a phytoalexin, a class of compounds produced as part of a plant's defense system against disease. It is produced in the plant in response to an invading fungus, stress, injury, infection or ultraviolet irradiation. Red wine contains high levels of resveratrol, as do grapes, raspberries, peanuts and other plants.

Resveratrol has been shown to reduce tumor incidence in animals by affecting one or more stages of cancer development. It has been shown to inhibit growth of many types of cancer cells in culture. Evidence also exists that it can reduce inflammation. It also reduces activation of NF kappa B, a protein produced by the body's immune system when it is under attack. This protein affects cancer cell growth and metastasis. Resveratrol is also an antioxidant.

What have red wine studies found

The cell and animal studies of red wine have examined effects in several cancers including leukemia, skin, breast and prostate cancers. Scientists are studying resveratrol to learn more about its cancer preventive activities. Recent evidence from animal studies suggests this anti-inflammatory compound may be an effective chemopreventive agent in three stages of the cancer process: initiation, promotion and progression.

Research studies published in the International Journal of Cancer show that drinking a glass of red wine a day may cut a man's risk of prostate cancer in half and that the protective effect appears to be strongest against the most aggressive forms of the disease. It was also seen that men who consumed four or more 4-ounce glasses of red wine per week have a 60 percent lower incidence of the more aggressive types of prostate cancer.

However, studies of the association between red wine consumption and cancer in humans are in their initial stages. Although consumption of large amounts of alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of some cancers, there is growing evidence that the health benefits of red wine are related to its nonalcoholic components.

What are polyphenols and how it prevents cancer

Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds found in the skin and seeds of grapes. When wine is made from these grapes, the alcohol produced by the fermentation process dissolves the polyphenols contained in the skin and seeds. Red wine contains more polyphenols than white wine because the making of white wine requires the removal of the skins after the grapes are crushed. The phenols in red wine include catechin, gallic acid and epicatechin.

Polyphenols have been found to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by molecules called free radicals. These chemicals can damage important parts of cells, including proteins, membranes and DNA. Cellular damage caused by free radicals has been implicated in the development of cancer. Research on the antioxidants found in red wine has shown that they may help inhibit the development of certain cancers.

Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery

The wine styles range from dry white wines, full flavoured dry styles, light reds, medium red, desserts, ports and a big ginger. Our wines are made from tropical fruits which include: Acerola, Araca, Baku, Black Sapote (chocolate pudding fruit), Caimito (Purple Star Apple), Carambola (Star Fruit), Grapefruit, Ginger, Jackfruit, Jaboticaba, Kaffir Lime, Lychee, Tahitian Lime, Mango, Orange, Passionfruit, Plantain, Rambutan, Water Cherry.

We provide you with a big range of unique Tropical Fruit Wines and we will have up to 14 different wines to taste. We are nestled in the centre of the Shannonvale Valley, just 20 minutes North of Port Douglas. We have a view to die for and we carry out our wine tastings under a pergola of hanging grape and passionfruit vines. It has a removal all-weather sail/cover. We grow our own tropical fruit and produce the commercial standard wine entirely on our property.

Palm Grove Date Winery

Your hosts Ian and Nan Pike welcome visitors to the Eulo Date Farm and Winery (Palm Grove) open from late February to the end of October. The Eulo Date Farm and Winery is situated 67 kilometres west of Cunnamulla, near the Paroo River at Eulo, on the Adventure Way - the gateway to South Australia and Burke and Wills country.

Fresh and chewy dates and the by-products are Palm Grove's specialty. However, when you visit they will be pleased to tell you about other interesting features, such as locally grown figs and nearby bird watching areas and mud springs.

Discover how exotic the humble date can be. Australia's most remote winery is here at Palm Grove. Call in to taste the date table wines which capture the aromas and unique flavours of dates grown in the inland of South West Queensland.

There are a diversity of products available - fresh and chewy dates, date topping, date spreads, dates wine, moisturising creams, fig jam and dried figs. Come and see for yourself!

The Need of Wine Tourism

The tourism industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Australian economy. Tourism provides communities with an opportunity to display their region’s distinct and unique cultural and natural assets while creating employment and diversifying the regional economy. A diverse economy is one that can cope with the changes experienced in our current environment. Tourism is an industry like any other and requires sound planning and a firm commitment from the community to make it work. Like all economic activities the benefits of tourism may create social and environmental impacts which need to be managed through a partnership approach and appropriate planning at a local level.

For this reason tourism needs to work in partnership with the other sectors of a regional economy including primary industries, local government and community organisations to name a few. In this way tourism is integrated into the region’s future.

North Queensland Wineries

Australia's most beautiful tropical destination North Queensland has several fruit wineries ideally located to capture the tourism market. The combination of climate and magnificent natural beauty make North Queensland an ideal tourist location. The wineries are all located within reach of Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands. Most wines are made using North Queensland Tropical fruits such as mango, banana, lychee, pineapple, passionfruit, black sapote, pitaya and other tropical fruits, as well as citrus and the Australian native fruits including the Davidson Plum and Lemon Aspen.

North Queensland offers a wide choice of hotels, bed & breakfasts and luxury resorts. The area boasts some of the most unique attractions in this country including The Great Barrier Reef, The Daintree Tropical Rainforest and the Tablelands.

White wine

A glass of white wineWhite wines are wines that vary in color from virtually colorless to deep gold. The color of wine is not determined by the juice of the grape, which is almost always clear, but rather by the presence or absence of the grape skin during fermentation. White wine can be made from any color of grape as the skin is separated from the juice during fermentation, though the majority are made from grapes with yellow or green skins. Some of the sparkling white wines are Asti Spumante Italy, Cava Spain, Champagne France, Franciacorta Italy, Moscato d'Asti Italy, Prosecco Italy.