Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages. Louis Pasteur clearly thought so!

Since time immemorial people have been extolling the virtues of wine " in particular red wine! And since about the same time, wine has had its health critics, too!

It is, in fact one of lifes more hotly debated topics

Rather than re-invent knowledge on this fascinating topic (and to withdraw neatly from the argument! - we recommend that you visit the excellent Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) site, www.awri.com.au/

Once there, you can browse to your hearts content amongst a rich array of highly researched articles, answers to Frequently Asked

Questions and other material that will tell you most of what you wish to know on topics such as: The cardioprotective qualities of wine

Allergies, asthma and wine

Wine and pregnancy

Coeliacs, diabetics and wine

Cancer and wine

Preservatives in wine And so on

As a summarising guideline, AWRI offers the following:

The Australian Wine Research Institute advocates the moderate consumption of wine, but does not recommend that abstaining individuals should commence consuming wine to benefit their health. Consuming wine more than moderately increases the risk of both short- and long-term harm to health.