A drink that is quite literally ancient, wine has been around for centuries. As mentioned in ancient texts, including the Bible, wine is loved in most countries around the world. Like any alcohol, there is a risk of overuse or excessive drinking, however, when consumed in moderation, wine can offer the perfect treat to end the day – or accompaniment to a celebration. Let’s take a look at some surprising things you may not know about your favorite drink!

1. Drinking Red Wine Is Beneficial

In moderation – which equates to 1 glass a day for women and 2 for men – drinking red wine is considered positive to one’s health. Red wine contains resveratrol and tannins, both of which are antioxidants. And because of this, red wine has been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes compared to non-drinkers.

2. The Wine Was Used As Medicine

Wine has been used for centuries to treat ailments. Dating back to the time of Hippocrates – the ‘father of medicine’ – wine was used in local remedies to treat patients suffering diarrhea, lethargy, lowering fevers, and a general antiseptic. It is known that wine can also be used as a painkiller, as it targets parts of the brain responsible for pain sensitivity. For most people, however, wine is enjoyed socially – at the end of a day or on special occasions with friends and family.

3. You Can Now Buy Your Own Wine Dispenser

You may have heard the quote of “turning wine to vinegar” – but if too much oxidation occurs, this statement becomes completely true. When oxidation occurs, the wine loses its color and flavor vibrancy. However, though this is not harmful to you, it will mean that your stunning wine will have turned to undrinkable, acidic vinegar.

What is usually widely recommended to reduce the risk of oxidation is a wine stopper or cap. These small mechanisms are perfect for fitting onto an opened bottle, ensuring that no air can get into the bottle. However, if you own a business and you’re opening many different bottles at once, this option may not be feasible for you.

You may have become despondent about wasting wines and losing profit, but there are some new products on the market that are elevating wine storage completely! Innovative thinkers from WineEmotionUSA are showing us that the next level of creative wine storing solutions is here. Various preservation systems are now available, giving restaurant and bar owners the guarantee that wine will not only be aerated correctly but kept at a fresh drinking quality for longer than has been possible before.

4. Storing Wine Properly Enables Aging

It may be upsetting to find out, but not all wines improve with age… However, for those of you who don’t mind playing the long game, i.e. waiting for your wines to mature over years, there are some tips to help your wine age properly. The most important thing is not to stand your bottle upright. It’s essential that your wine bottle is stored on its side, as the cork should not have a chance to dry out.

If the cork does dry out, it is likely to shrink in size. Though this may not sound too bad, it could lead to air leaking into the bottle and causing much-dreaded oxidization. If your wine oxidizes – which usually happens without us knowing – your wine could be spoiled and you will have wasted those years of patiently waiting for your wine to mature. So, find a great aging wine and keep your cork perfectly damp to prevent major disappointment!

5. There Is A Correct Way To Hold Your Glass

Did you know that one should only hold your wine glass by its stem? If one were to hold the wine glass by hand, it would raise the temperature of the wine. This is why the stem was designed, to separate the wine from where your hand holds it and therefore, reduce the unnecessary heating of the drink.

6. Thousands of Wine Varieties Exist

Some estimates easily reckon that there are more than 5000 wine varieties that exist from across all parts of the world. Because most people are unaware of how many types exist, beginners – and even experienced wine lovers – can underestimate the complexity of blending different varieties. Not only does blending require years of expertise and intimate knowledge of the vine, but also a passion that extends beyond work, into purpose!

With more than 292 million hectolitres of wine being produced annually – from China and South Africa to Hungary and Bulgaria – it is no wonder that the offering of blends expands into every part of the globe. Wine continues to expand into new spaces, with grape harvesting improving as technology continues to break production barriers. Plus, as grapevines are shared across countries, global partnerships will see an even greater appreciation for this much-loved drink and delicacy!