The Science of Wine and Wine Technology 

For those who enjoy a glass of wine, it is welcome news that wine's health benefits continue to be researched and appreciated. However, it is also important to remember that those benefits only exist when wine is consumed in moderation. As wine consumption exceeds a healthy limit, its positive health properties decline.

Wine, especially red, is believed to provide health-promoting benefits. Red wine is rich in antioxidants, which protect the body from free radicals and, therefore, reduce our risk of developing certain cancers. The antioxidants in wine may also help slow the development of Alzheimer's disease, reduce our risk of developing ulcers and decrease our risk for macular degeneration.

Red wine is also known to reduce inflammation. This, in turn, reduces a person's risk of getting heart disease and of having a stroke. There is even evidence that suggests wine raises our good cholesterol and prevents blood clots.

Making wine is a delicate balance between calculated science and artistic comprehension. The wine region in which the grapes grow and are processed will affect the flavor and style. Due to drastic climate variations in specific wine regions, some vineyards only produce during certain seasons. Others, however, may use the seasonal climate changes to their advantage, producing particular varieties based on seasonal temperatures.

Wines have specific flavors and aromas based on the climate in which the grapes are grown. There are three basic climate zones:

However, it is important to note that climates vary from year to year. Therefore, the year in which the wine was made will also impact its flavor and style. Microclimates within a given climate will also affect the quality and flavor of wine as will altitude and proximity to water.

Since chemistry is responsible for the aging process, many wine enthusiasts consider wine storage a science.

Although many types benefit from aging, it is important to note that all wine is perishable. Unlike some hard liquors, wine does not contain enough alcohol to prevent it from rotting over long periods of time. Therefore, understand and using safe storage techniques is crucial to obtaining the best-tasting, most well-rounded wine.

Here are four elements of wine storage to remember:

When storing a wine, be sure to talk to a wine expert, as storage requirements will vary. If stored improperly, it may spoil in a few months.

Advancements in technology have significantly affected the way we produce and distribute wine. Before the 1940s, wine distribution was generally limited to the areas close to specific wineries. Therefore, a person in Chile was highly unlikely to enjoy a California Pinot Noir. Today, wine from any region can be shipped all over the world.

Refrigeration is also leading to advancements in winemaking. Being able to control the temperature during fermentation means that wineries in warm climates could produce a superior, high-quality product.

Today, machines that harvest grapes quickly allow vineyards to collect their grapes around the clock. This increases productivity and also increases the quality of the grapes, as fewer get crushed or bruised.

Although many enthusiasts oppose them, screw-top bottles have even led to better quality wine. While corks allow some air to seep into the bottle, screw tops keep all air out, adding to the life of the wine.