As New Year's Eve approaches, the holiday parties will be flowing with red, white, and bubbly. But which wine or Champagne not only tastes best, but may actually be good for you — and leave you without a headache in the morning? Experts say that while red wines trump whites when weighing overall health benefits, drier white wines like Rieslings or Sauvignon Blancs have perks of their own. “If you’re going to go out and buy any wine and you’re looking for something healthy, go with a pinot noir,” said Leroy Creasy, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Cornell University College of Agriculture in New York who has studied the science of grapes and health benefits in wine for over two decades. Creasy found that many varieties of red wine, especially pinot noir, contains a greater amount of the plant compound resveratrol than is found in white wine. Studies have indicated resveratrol contributes to lower cholesterol, a reduced risk of blood clots and general longevity. Recent studies on the bodily boosts of sipping reds or whites have focused on the specific benefits wine has on cardiovascular disease, said Gary Pickering, professor of wine science at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario.

"Moderate and regular consumption of wine — particularly red wine—does, indeed, associate with many health benefits," Pickering said.list of best wines in france And here's a happy note for New Year's Eve revelers: Several studies have associated Champagne consumption with beneficial cardiovascular, vascular and even brain performance, possibly due to its anti-oxidant properties, Pickering said.best italian wine 2016 When it comes to such upsides, however, not all alcohols are the same, he added. how late can you buy wine in dcFor example, a chronically high intake of beer or spirits has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.best wine of 1996

Moderate consumption of red wine, on the other hand, has been linked by researchers to a reduced risk of cancer, Pickering said.best french red wine under 50 "One of the key words here is, of course, 'moderate,'— high, chronic intake of alcohol, in any form, associates with many adverse health outcomes," Pickering said. best washington red wines 2015"This is partly why there has been such limited advocacy or even recognition of the concept of ‘wine-as-medicine’ amongst health systems and educators, despite the compelling evidence ... of its truth."best food and wine destinations in europe Keith Wallace, a Philadelphia-based sommelier and president of The Wine School, a wine education program in Philadelphia, says red wines are beneficial because "they’re fermented on the skin" and have a lot of antioxidants and tannins. top italian wines of 2015

Tannins are chemical compounds found in plants and fruit skins that give wine a bitterer, more complex taste. best wine making equipment kitsThey've also been linked to the annoying red wine headache. “It’s biologically true for some people, that tannins in red wine may offer hangovers, so they should avoid red wine if they’re sensitive to tannins,” said Madelyn Fernstrom, TODAY health and nutrition editor. Fernstrom recommends if you’re looking for something fizzy and festive, to stick with Champagne. “And much more economical,” she said, “is sparkling white wine.” Keri Glassman, a New York-based nutritionist and founder of The Nutrition School, a nutrition practice and health and wellness brand, recommends choosing your favorite wine, regardless of the type, and sticking to the American Heart Association’s serving recommendations: no more than two drinks daily for men and one drink for women.

A single drink is 5 ounces of wine, the same as a 1.5 shot glass or a 12-ounce bottle of beer. Adding a splash of seltzer to any wine stretches your drink without adding calories. And it may help avoid that headache the next morning. contributor Bill Briggs contributed to this reportFavorite RedsAbsolute FavoriteFavorite WinesTime FavoriteWine FavesFav WineLet's WineGood WineBest Red WineForward10 Best Wines Under $20 This full-bodied Apothic Red ( $13.99) has an incredibly savory black cherry and mocha flavor that feels almost like a forbidden indulgence. Learning Center / Wine Products & Accessories / How To Buy A DecanterHow to Choose the Best Wine Decanter [Buyer’s Guide]Many people like to enjoy a bottle of wine with a meal, but have no idea how to select an appropriate and inexpensive wine for the occasion. I know I went through years of picking wines, even spending a lot on occasion, and regularly picking something completely inappropriate and often bad. Because of this, I prepared a very simple wine buying guide for those of us who like an occasional glass with a meal (or are even a first-time wine drinker) and want something good and appropriate without spending much money.

Tomorrow, I’ll give some under-$10 recommendations to pick up for Christmas dinner that you should be able to find by hitting a few stores. The color of the wine should match the color of the meal. If you’re looking for a wine to match a meal, the first thing you need to do is match the color of the wine to the color of the meal. Are you enjoying poultry, pork, seafood, or pasta with a light-colored sauce? Select a white wine. Are you enjoying beef, venison, or pasta with a tomato sauce? Select a red wine. Although it’s not perfect, it’s a great way to help you choose if you’re new to wine; this rule of thumb quickly reduces your possible choices. Complex wines can be very hit or miss. Some varieties can vary hugely in flavor from bottle to bottle due to the grapes, so if you’re just starting out, it’s probably a good idea to avoid these until you can investigate them on your own. So what should I buy? If you’ve decided on a red wine, pick a Merlot or a Pinot Noir, or a Riesling if you’re looking for a dessert wine.

If you’ve decided on a white wine, pick a Pinot Blanc or a Chardonnay. These choices are generally fairly consistent from bottle to bottle, meaning one Merlot is not hugely different from another. This minimizes the amount of knowledge you need to have about vintages and brands.If you go into a liquor store right now, you’re perfectly equipped to ask for what you want, rather than coming in confused. Visit a wine retailer and tell them you’re looking for a $15 or less bottle of one of the two varieties you’ve decided upon. With that type of specificity, a good retailer should be able to quickly point you towards an appropriate wine. What if I’m alone? If you don’t have a guide available, examine all of the wines in your selection area and price range (if you’re just starting, spending much more than $15 on a bottle of wine is a lost cause – it’s hard to really appreciate the expensive wines without having tasted a wide variety), see if any of them have posted descriptions, and use the descriptions as a guide.