Res Red Wine

Martin Field

Res Red Wine

It's not as if anyone ever needed an excuse to drink more red wine, but recent research into resveratrol (Res), a compound abundant in red wine, will provide much encouragement. Res is present in a number of foods including peanuts and grapes, particularly red grapes and therefore red wine. It has previously enjoyed a reputation in the health industry as a useful agent in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer.

Researchers Dr Baldwin and Dr Holmes-McNary of the University of North Carolina, have identified the role of Res in enhancing the management of cancer. They found that Res, which acts as an inbuilt fungicide in grapes, can switch off a gene that protects cancer cells. It follows that the use of Res may assist cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, to function more effectively.

The findings, published in the July issue of Cancer Research, should be kept in mind when choosing wines to accompany barbecue-burnt meats, a known source of cancer-inducing substances. (Martin Field is a red wine drinker and a vegetarian.)

Believe it…or not

"The (Jimmy Watson) trophy was the brainchild of Jimmy Watson himself…It was a condition of entry in the show that Watson would be able to purchase a barrel of the winning wine for bottling under his wine bar label." I found this strange tale, by James Halliday, in the June issue of the Ansett Airlines magazine, Panorama, and asked Jimmy's son, Allan Watson, about it. "Totally wrong." he said.

"All of Watson's bottled table wines in those days were unlabelled, there was no condition of entry related to the prize, and there was no benefit to us from the trophy in the form of free barrels, bottles, or indeed of any kind. Nor was any ever requested. In fact I'm lucky to get even a sample bottle from the winning company these days."

He continued, "My father never knew of the trophy named in his honour. It was devised as a memorial at the time of Jimmy's funeral, by my family and Jimmy's friends. I considered the article grossly defamatory to my father and to the prestige of the trophy and complained about it to the editor of Panorama. I've since received a generous and unreserved apology from James Halliday. I can only hope that Panorama will also publish a retraction." (Martin Field teaches wine courses at Jimmy Watson's)

Tastings

Seppelt Eden Valley Riesling 1984

A rare bird this, matured for 16 years prior to release. Pale yellow, hint of green. The nose is youthful and floral with slight biscuit undertones and a whiff of citrus. The medium-dry palate is soft, yet fresh and fruit-laden, the clean acid finish is perfectly balanced. If you tasted this wine masked you'd be forgiven for thinking it was only a couple of years old. Rating: trophy. Cellar: to 2010. Price: $AUD55.

Mulyan Bushrangers Bounty Chardonnay 1999

>From Cowra in New South Wales. Very pale gold. Sweet fruit nose with a fragrance of melons. Ripe and fruity style in the mouth, finishes quite firm. Good entrée course white. Rating: silver. Cellar: to 2003. Price: about $AUD16.

Blackjack Cabernet Merlot 1998

>From Harcourt in Victoria's Bendigo region. Mid-crimson. Lifted minty nose reminiscent of blackberry juice. Substantial, almost overripe sweet fruit on the palate, soft tannins. Finishes dry and firm. Rating: silver. Cellar: to 2005. Price: $AUD25.

Galway Pipe 20 year Old Tawny Port

Medium ruddy amber. According to the label, the youngest component of this blend is at least 20 years old. Spicy nose of fruitcake, brandy and age. Light and elegant on the tongue, a lovely balance of raisin fruit, nuttiness and spirit. Top quality after dinner sippin'. Rating: Gold. Price: $AUD44.

Martin Field