Covid and Red Wine: The Claim 

Improved resistance to various health issues has long been attributed to red wine: “We already know that relaxing with a glass of red wine is believed to have numerous health benefits thanks to the powerful antioxidant polyphenols it contains. But tannins also have benefits, and they could be the key to keeping us healthy during the pandemic. That’s over and above the fact that many scientists believe that drinking a glass of red wine a day can improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and help people to live longer,” says Peter.

But that’s not where it ends. 

“It’s known that stress lowers resistance to illness,” Peter reminds. “Relaxing with someone you love and a bottle of fine wine isn’t just good for your mind: it’s good for your body because it reduces stress. But without getting too clinical, spoiling themselves with something they’ll genuinely enjoy is something people should do on a regular basis. It’s not only a happy thing to do, it’s also a healthy one. Manor Estate is part of that, and it’s something to be proud of.”

Covid: Why Researchers Aren’t Testing Wine’s Health Benefits

Peter points out that natural substances like wine are difficult for researchers to work with. “They need to point to a single ingredient and determine what that does. Organic substances contain many complex molecules that may interact with each other, and going through all those ingredients and determining how they work together would be the work of generations, not years.”

“On the other hand, there are scientists who believe that organic molecules can work in synergy, boosting one another’s effects. It would be wonderful to see more research on the health benefits of red wine, particularly with reference to SARS-related viruses. The researchers would certainly have no shortage of volunteers to act as research subjects!”

Tannins, Red Wine, and Covid

Backing up his opinion that red wine can help us to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic may seem like a tough call. But Peter, an organic chemist prior to finding his calling in the world of fine wines, is armed with evidence.

“During SARS, researchers in Taiwan began testing tannin to see whether it would inhibit the virus with very promising results. That research has been resumed owing to covid, and once again, the results are very promising. They’re looking at tannins as an ingredient that could be used to treat people who already have covid, and they’ve found that tannic acid does suppress the virus.”

“In treating covid, it would take a massive dose of red wine to actually get the same effect as the researchers got in the lab, but surely, even a healthy two glasses would have some effect in preventing covid or aiding people in recovery.”

“At the same time,” cautions Peter, “that’s just my opinion and there’s no conclusive proof to offer, but it is food for thought. Personally, I believe that tannins in red wine really can help us to stay healthy during the pandemic, and there are a number of additional reasons to believe it can heighten resistance, including the aspect of relaxing and de-stressing which any doctor will tell you heightens resistance to infection.”

As for the wine, it will always be Manor Estate wines for Peter: “The acronym is ME, and you and ME go well together,” says Peter. “The wine is naturally aged and lovingly nurtured to perfection, and that perfection is bottled in McLaren Vale before being enjoyed in Australia and the USA. If it’s good for your health, that’s a bonus. What matters most is that it’s a delight to the senses.”

Manor estate offers wine events, a romantic wedding venue and luxury accommodation in McLaren Vale. For more information, or join their wine club, visit the Manor Estate Wines website or call their team of experts on (08) 8383 7300.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

“People are genuinely interested in the technical aspects of the world of wine,” says Peter. “They want to know what goes into a good vintage and they want to understand the art of being a wine connoisseur. As a result, Manor Estate chose to offer some of this information free of charge to anyone who cares to be in the know.”

Read: Sparkling Brut Wines McLaren Vale Winery Accommodation Functions Weddings Events

2020’s Challenges Part of the Initiative

Before 2020’s challenges hit, Peter and daughter Sharleen had been far too busy to think of anything beyond their drive to capture the US wine-fanciers market for Manor Estate. “It was a family effort to build a reputation for Manor Estate in the US starting with Manhattan’s smartest venues,” Peter explains. “There was phenomenal progress, especially after the wines gained recognition from Wine Australia as a promising export for the US market. It was incredibly frustrating having to scale back on operations after such a promising start.”

Staying in touch with US clients and capturing the Australian audience that had not previously formed part of their strategic drive became “Plan B” for the family, and now another daughter of the family, Chantelle, would take the driver’s seat. As a media expert, she directed her energy into the production of the Wine Secrets TV series. “It was a way to stay in touch with clients around the world as well as gaining media exposure at home in Australia,” says Peter. “The winery had a fan base at home, but with so much competition from bigger wine producers, it had seemed a difficult market for expansion.”

The series comprises of bite-sized chunks of information that are easy to digest and remember. “Viewers don’t want to be overloaded with information, some of which is useful and actionable, and some of which is not,” says Peter, “so the series keeps each episode short and to-the-point. Apart from bringing Manor Estate public attention, it also provided viewers with information they wanted. It’s the kind of knowledge that Manor Estate shares during its Secret Wine Garden and Cellar Door wine-tasting events – just with a bigger audience.”

Vaynerchuk Inspiration

Manor Estates admits to following inspiration from one of its fans – wine and internet entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. The international celebrity started his career with the family wine shop, and had begun promoting its products with YouTube videos featuring wine tasting and wine talk. It was the start of an inspiring career. After impressing Vaynerchuk with the quality of its wines in the USA, Manor Estate decided to follow suit, but this time, the production would be from the winemaker’s, rather than the wine shop’s, perspective.

“Manor Estate is promoted in the series, but the information shared is applicable to wines across the board,” explains Peter. “In making the series, the information targeted knowledge and advice that’s applicable to the enjoyment of wine from any estate in the world. People are thirsty for knowledge to enhance their experience of the world of wine. They would like to know how to judge and describe a wine, how to serve it, what foods to pair with it, and of course, they want to know about what goes into making great wine.”

Read: Wine Club Membership Quality Wines McLaren Vale Boutique Winery and Distributor

Dual-Purpose, Single Solution

Introducing its wines to the broader Australian public and maintaining contact with clients and wine-fanciers half a world away may seem like two separate goals for Manor Estate to work towards, but the Wine Secrets documentary series has contributed in both areas. `It’s a simple yet elegant solution that has helped Manor Estate to gain new supporters and simultaneously keep a form of contact with existing ones despite lockdowns, travel bans and all the inconveniences of 2020. Meanwhile, the public has access to information and a simple way to demystify the complex-seeming “insider” information” that lies behind the wines they already enjoy.

For more information visit the Manor Estate Wines McLaren Vale website or call their team of experts on (08) 8383 7300.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.