Southern Wines is a winemaking company with a difference. It's New Zealand's sole producer of resveratrol-enhanced wine (REW).
Enhanced wine was developed by Sydney physician and wine historian Dr Phillip Norrie, who believed increasing the amount of resveratrol - an anti-oxidant in grapeskin that protects it from fungal infection - could provide health benefits for drinkers. He produced the first REW wine under the label Wine Doctor from McLaren Vale grapes. There are many research papers on the subject by such luminaries as Professor David Sinclair of Harvard University.
Other noted researchers have published articles on the link between resveratrol and wine, and its possible contribution to the French Paradox - that although the French eat a relatively high-fat diet they still have a low death rate from heart disease.
Resveratrol reportedly reduces cholesterol, assists with liver problems and protects against cancer, along with other health benefits. As usual, moderation is paramount and no one is suggesting the excessive consumption of red wine is any guarantee of a healthier lifestyle - binge drinking is also well documented as dangerous and detrimental to one's health.
Southern Wines holds the sole New Zealand licence to produce resveratrol enhanced wine, made for the company by veteran consultant winemaker Alan McCorkindale. It produces two REW wines - pinot noir and sauvignon blanc - under the label Balancing Act.
