Message in a bottle: time to go easy on the wine

They are in fact buying 80% of the wine sold in supermarkets and other retailers according to a survey by Vinexpo, the world’s largest wine exhibition.

Women have also got the know-how when it comes to choosing wine, with 64% of the women interviewed saying its the type of grape that helps them make up their mind, while 55% said it was the country of origin.

Well informed?

So if this survey is anything to go by, we live in a country of wine savvy women who know a good bottle over some cheap plonk.

But unfortunately many of those women choose to ignore the health risks. 51% of them are taking little or no notice of government health warnings, with less than one fifth saying they had reduced their drinking because of such warnings.

There was also a strong belief amongst the women interviewed that wine was the healthiest of all alcoholic drinks – with 51% thinking just that.

Calories vs units

They wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that you consume a few less calories by drinking a glass of wine over a glass of beer. But what about all those alcohol units they’re clocking up at the same time? When it comes to health, this is what needs to be at the top of the list because of the greater risk women have of contracting either alcoholic hepatitis, breast cancer or liver disease if they regularly drink over their daily limit of 2-3 units. 

If you think keeping a tally of units while you’re drinking wine at home would spoil your wind-down, you could do some of the leg work when choosing wine at the supermarket by going for a bottle that’s lower in alcohol content – 9 -10% as opposed to a heavy 11–15%. You really won’t notice the difference.

You could also reduce the units by swapping those cavernous 250ml glasses for a set of 175ml glasses. As it is often your eyes that are greedier than your stomach, you’ll probably find that you’ll take just as long enjoying a full small glass’ worth as you would a large glass.

Treat yourself to something new

But who says you need to be drinking wine to de-stress yourself? Exotic fruit that you wouldn’t normally buy or the occasional naughty-but-nice dessert are equally as good as treats.

So whatever stage in life you’re at, now could be the time to take more notice of the amount of wine you’re pouring yourself at home and the units you’re totting up as a result. We’ve got more advice and tips on cutting down, as well as an interactive drinks diary to make it that little bit easier.    

Page last updated by

Root User, 19 Apr 2010.

Page checked on

02 Apr 2009