Yvonne Lorkin: Vino chalks up another health plus

You'll be pleased that your glass of red wine is brimming with health benefits.

The Chiropractic News is not my first choice of magazine when it comes to sifting for useful wine information - but this week it contained a real gem. In an article researched by Kathy Simpson, it says that in moderation both red and white wines benefit the heart, help lower cholesterol and are very good for the health of your gut.

Simpson says studies have found that wine is a natural source of the probiotics, which are essential for digestive health, and that the polyphenols it contains may also be prebiotic, which helps create a gut environment where probiotics can flourish. So alongside your kefir, yoghurt and other fermented foods, wine can now be added to the list.

The article says that a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that people who drink red wine have increased bifidobacterium - one of the most common groups of priobiotic bacteria.

Another study, published in Food Microbiology, researched 11 types of bacteria - including lactobacillus, oenococcus, and pediococcus, which had been isolated from red wine.

The goal of the study was to determine if the bacteria could survive the gastric juices of the digestive tract to enable them to improve health.

All strains survived and adhered well to the surface of intestinal cells, leading scientists to conclude that probiotic potential is a new addition to red wine's already long list of health benefits. This is excellent news, knowing that my digestive system is bound to take a hammering this holiday season.

From fridge to fashion

It's never fun when someone turns up at your house with a bottle of vodka and all you have in the fridge to fashion it into a cocktail is a tin of tomato sauce, some streaky bacon, half a bottle of cream and the leftover tinned peaches from breakfast.

Well, clever clogs at Smirnoff are keen to take on this common conundrum by offering possible recipe solutions in a new campaign.

How it works is you Instagram a picture of the contents of your fridge using the hashtag #purepotential, and their team of bartenders will help create a drink using what they see. You are sure to be amazed at what they can come up with, plus there are also loads of creative ideas for how to whip up some mixology wizardry on their website. Visit smirnoffpurepotential.co.nz

So this Christmas there'll be no excuse not to be able to win friends and influence people with your cocktail creation skills, even if your fridge is looking a tad flaccid.

Righto, now if only I could figure out what to do with this old tube of wasabi and that jar of pickled mushrooms ...

A valuable missionIf the words "best value" conjure up the same frission of excitement in you as they do me, then you'll be thrilled to know that Hawke's Bay's Mission Estate have scooped three awards in Winestate magazine's best value buy awards for this year.

Winestate is Australia's oldest wine magazine and these awards are designed to pick excellent quality wines priced at $25 or under.

A combined Top 40 wines from New Zealand and Australia were whittled down from a list of over 10,000 that were blind-tasted and judged throughout the year. The three Mission Estate wines in the Top 40 were:

-Mission Estate Vineyard Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014, $20

-Mission Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014, $16.50

-Mission Estate Hawke's Bay Rose 2014, $16.50

"For a New Zealand winery to win three Best Value Buy awards is unprecedented," says Peter Jackson, marketing director for Winestate.

Best of all, these wines are widely available in supermarkets or online at missionestate.co.nz

SIPS OF THE WEEK

Thornbury Waipara Pinot Gris 2014, $17

This pinot gris packs a sweet, peachy, poached pear punch on the palate yet leaves a squeak of white pepper and classic quince character on the finish.

It's a crowd-pleaser and you should have this in your fridge now!

countdown.co.nz

Mudbrick Vineyard Waiheke Island Tempranillo, $60

I love the dusty rose petal, blackberry, cocoa and pepper perfume of this wine. Combine them with a warming, velvety-smooth mouthfeel and savoury, black olive, charcuterie and spicy, earthy notes on the finish - then you've got something seriously memorable.
Lovely stuff indeed. mudbrick.co.nz

Te Whare Ra Marlborough Pinot Gris 2013, $28

With ripe nashi, roast apple, lip smacking acidity, quince and tropical characters, this certified organic example is seriously sippable. Ultra-refreshing, juicy white peach notes abound and with a solid, mineral undertone on the finish, it will appeal to those who like a bit of guts in their gris. Good stuff! twrwines.co.nz

Johanneshof Emmi Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle 2007, $42

Boasting the softest pink-gold hue and aromas of lemon, yellow plum and cashew, this incredibly fresh sparkler has a clean, tangy mouthfeel, sexy, nutty notes and a long, zesty finish. villagewinery.co.nz