Vast amount of scientific evidence is building up to support the contention that two glasses of red wine a day have beneficial health results.    Looks that history is repeating itself. The good old habits of social wine consumption popular in ancient civilizations are coming back to the present society with a boom.

Various research studies, conclusively point out to a  very convincing evidence that the wine in moderate quantity (around 8 oz or 240 ml) is extremely beneficial for health. Wine inhibits the growth of all microorganisms that cause several known diseases.  The alcohol content in the wine hinders the growth of these organisms and they simply die in wine.  For that matter, Wine is used to be part of medical treatment till the beginning of 20^th century.

The “French Paradox”, the famous term coined by Dr. Serge Renaud, Director of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research is becoming more and more popular among the wine connoisseurs of the world.  French consume 30% more fat than Americans but suffer 40% lesser heart attacks.  This phenomenon is mainly attributed to the red wine drinking habit of French with their meals.  Some scientific studies found compelling evidence of connection between moderate wine consumption to sharp decline in mortality rate.  The phenolic compounds like resveratrol and flavonoids present in grape skins, stems and seeds, which are basically antioxidants will prevent (inhibit) platelet clotting and produce better HDL-LDL (good – bad) cholesterol ratio and contribute to these results. 

Some studies conducted during the last few years have shown significant results – from prevention of neuro-degenerative diseases to the prevention of cadio-vasular diseases, preventing food poisoning to reduction in human mortality rates.

To be true to non-drinkers, let us list out the disadvantages of wine drinking.  Wine usually contains ethanol of 12-14%, which is a toxin. While most of the wine drinkers are aware of the health benefits of moderate consumption, most of the non-drinkers are under false impression that not drinking is healthier than moderate drinking.  Many clinical studies throughout the world, in non-wine-drinking countries, as well as wine-consuming nations, have proven that, other factors being equal, the healthiest group of humans are those that drink wine MODERATELY and REGULARLY, followed by those that drink beer or other alcohol, followed by tee-totallers, followed by binge drinkers.  The key to benefiting from alcohol consumption is Moderation and Regularity.

The idea here is not to push a tee-totaler  to the drinking habit, but convert the so-called Indian social drinkers to shift from habitual whiskey drinking to that of wine drinking.

Andhra Pradesh State is having  a unique advantage of appropriate climatic conditions for growing grapes.  The yields here are supposed to be one of the heighest in the world.  There are many varieties of grapes grown here - mostly seedless becoming popular – American Flame, Beauty Seedless, Maroo Seedless (black);  Thompson seedless and its mutants – Tas-e-Ganesh, Sonaka (white) etc.,  These are due to better techniques adopted by the Andhra Farmers.  They have an added advantage of having a dynamic Chief Minister in Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu, who is open to newer ideas and ready to enter new frontiers to improve the state economy.  Encouraging wine related industries means expanded grape growing area, more jobs and increased economy resulting in healthy state with healthy people.  The Grape growers of Andhra Pradesh are slowly catching up the international market for Table grapes, but the other side of viticulture – the wine producing varieties are rather nil.  Governments of Maharastra and Karnataka are coming up with progressive plans to encourage wine manufacturing.  Many indigenous manufacturers started wineries there profitably. If given proper atmosphere, Andhra farmers are ready to explore the grape growing arenas exclusive for wine making.  It is high time that the authorities concerned take note of this growing opportunity and encourage all connected with Wine Manufacturing ventures.

With the new wine policy, the Maharastra government will be giving land at reduced rates in Nasik and Sangli areas through the Maharastra Industrial Development Corporation to set up ‘Wine parks’.  More over, it will classify wine industry as an ‘agro industry’ and reduce excise duty – the biggest hindrance to the growth of the industry.  Many entrepreneurs have applied for setting up wine producing units.  With all this, for the first time in India Maharastra may soon become another wine producing region in the world.  Government offered generous tax benefits to encourage investment in this sector.  Andhra Pradesh is lagging and struggling to compete with Maharastra in the grape production and with these new policies, Andhra grape growers will still be at a disadvantage position.  With a progressive and dynamic chief minister at the helm of affairs, Andhra Pradesh should not lose the battle in becoming another wine producing region in the world.

             National Horticulture Board Managing Director JP Negi opines that the present laws dealing with the wine are “injurious to public health”.  When Ayurvedic formulations are allowed up to an alcohol content up to 11%  why  is not the same true for wine, where percentage of wines comes mostly under a category of 11-14%.  Most of the advanced countries de linked wine and beer from hard liquors.  More cheap beer and wine are a way to health and wealth.  “Some of these archaic laws and a conservative mindset are standing in the way of growth of horticulture (say grape growing) which can propel the economy”.  There is lot of opposition for these views, but the truth has to be accepted.  There should be radical reforms of excise laws. 

            The problem is the excise duty remains the single-largest money-spinner for the government and certainly one can expect a lot of resistance in loosing the golden goose.  We can only expect a positive understanding by the authorities and hope for the best.

            Convinced with these concepts, Hyderabad Wine Club is planning to promote the appreciation of wine with food and related aspects.