Drinking up to half a glass of wine per day can increase life expectancy in men by 5 years according to a Dutch study published in a specialist journal.

Men who only drink wine (the study does not give details regarding colour), as long as they do not drink more than half a glass per day, enjoy about two and a half years longer life expectancies than men who regularly drink beer or other alcoholic beverages. The wine drinking men can however hope to live 5 years longer than men who drink no alcohol at all, according to this study of 1,400 subjects over a forty-year period from 1960 to 2000. (Source: AFP)

The British government is considering forcing shops which sell alcohol to provide information regarding its impact on health and to cite recommended minimum quantities of alcoholic beverages based on their alcohol content. (Source: VSB)

In an article entitled “Chronique du harcèlement ordinaire” (The chronicle of ordinary harassment), Doctor Lanzmann-Petithory contradicts a study by the French National Cancer Institute published by the anti-alcohol lobby. According to this researcher the risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx and/or larynx is 58% lower in wine drinkers.

“Wine contains two components, which exert opposing effects: alcohol, which increases the risk of certain cancers and fruit which lowers this risk. Therefore, for moderate drinkers, the influence of fruit is stronger”, points out  Doctor Lanzmann-Petithory. (Source: VSB)

As part of the commitments taken at European level to promote responsible and moderate consumption of  alcoholic beverages and to reduce harmful drinking of alcohol, the role of the “Wine Information Council” (WIC) should be understood as providing a platform for guidance that centralises information, which is reliably supported and founded on scientific evidence. Its purpose is also to supply balanced, objective and consistent information on the health, social and cultural aspects of wine consumption. (Source: Wine in Moderation)

In 2008, the World Health Organization conducted an extensive global study with input from the alcoholic beverage industry and public health authorities. The purpose of great importance was to determine what kind of legislation and regulation is necessary and how it should be structured.

In connection with this initiative, on Tuesday 23 June from 9.30 to 13.00 SAVOIR BOIRE / SAVOIR VIVRE will present a prestigious panel in Amphitheatre B of the Convention Centre to debate the following subject:

Laws, constraints, self-regulation, responsibility, communications, education - the role of each actor, the responsibility of all.

With the participation of Robert Madelin, George Sandeman, Alexis Capitant, Laure Alexandre, Michel Bettane, Hubert Sacy. (Source: Vinexpo)

Wine bars in France are a cosmopolitan urban phenomenon that have exploded in popularity over the last three years. They are frequented by young people with money to spend, who seek to develop a new wine culture. Wine bar patrons are encouraged to be adventurous, because they can vary the wines they drink to match the different dishes on offer. Tasting wines brings like-minded people together, who discuss what they are drinking, look for food-wine matches and play with the aromas and tastes. It’s not just a question of tasting enjoyment; it becomes an intellectual pastime. Wine plays a socialising role. (Source: Bordeaux Aujourd’hui)

To allow their patrons to continue enjoying wine without having to worry about driving home safely, the Luxemburg National Federation of Hotel Operators, Restaurateurs and Café Owners has worked with road safety authorities to re-launch the use of wine bags. These enable customers to take their unfinished bottles of wine home. The idea was launched some years ago, but with little success. Wine bags make it possible to enjoy wine with moderation without having to leave behind a half-full bottle. (Source: point24.com)