Arsenic in Wine, Oh My!

 

What is Arsenic? 

Arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment in the air, water and land. It is a semi-metal element in the periodic table that is odorless and tasteless. But there are two types, organic and inorganic, arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form.

There are a number of health risk associated with the consumption of arsenic. Human exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause both short and long term health effects.  Short or acute effects can occur within hours or days of exposure. Long or chronic effects occur over many years. Long term exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidneys, nasal passages, liver and prostate.

 Read more:http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/arsenic/Basic-Information.cfm#one

How does Arsenic get into Wine?

Lots of foods and drinks contain trace levels of arsenic because it is a naturally occurring element in the earth. 

However just a hunch, "These products themselves may be heavy in arsenic, due to either arsenic in the ingredients or the diatomaceous earth used in their filtering processes," says study author Kathryn Cottingham.

In addition, "Studies have found that certain pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers increase the amounts of arsenic..."

Read more: http://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/nutrition/how-to-avoid-arsenic-in-wine-and-beer-20131224#ixzz3Vzj294PM

Read more:http://www.academicwino.com/2012/01/soil-and-groundwater-contamination-of.html/

What are the Arsenic Standards for Wine?

Although the FDA does not test local wines for the substance, the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau regulates the production of alcoholic beverages, and part of this process is testing wine for arsenic, said Erika Holmes, spokeswoman for Washington State University's Viticulture and Enology school.

Countries that import California wine test for arsenic using their own standards: 100 parts per billion in Canada and 200 parts per billion in Europe -- 10 to 20 times higher than the drinking water limit in the United States.

"It's certainly appropriate to look to other countries' regulations for guidance," Sacks said. "Their regulators are presumably looking at the same body of research that U.S. regulators would look to if they were to establish a mandatory limit for wine." 

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/living/arsenic-wine-california-lawsuit-feat/index.html

What are they suing for?

The lawsuit does not include any allegations of physical injury or death due to arsenic consumption associated with drinking the wines named in the complaint. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and a court order requiring the defendants disclose on the bottles the risks of consuming inorganic arsenic in wines and engage in "corrective advertising" regarding their conduct.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/living/arsenic-wine-california-lawsuit-feat/index.html

What are the wines named in the lawsuit?

Mainly found in low cost $5-$10 bottle white and blush wines:
- Acronym (GR8RW Red Blend).
- Almaden (Heritage White Zinfandel, Heritage Moscato, Heritage Chardonnay, Mountain Burgundy, Mountain Rhine, Mountain Chablis).
- Arrow Creek (Coastal Series Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Bandit (Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Bay Bridge (Chardonnay).
- Beringer (White Merlot, White Zinfandel, Red Moscato, Refreshingly Sweet Moscato).
- Charles Shaw (White Zinfandel).
- Colores Del Sol (Malbec).
- Glen Ellen by Concannon (Glen Ellen Reserve Pinot Grigio, Glen Ellen Reserve Merlot).
- Concannon (Selected Vineyards Pinot Noir).
- Cook's (Spumante).
- Corbett Canyon (Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Cupcake (Malbec)
- Fetzer (Moscato, Pinot Grigio).
- Fisheye (Pinot Grigio).
- Flipflop (Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Foxhorn (White Zinfandel).
- Franzia (Vintner Select White Grenache, Vintner Select White Zinfandel, Vintner Select White Merlot, Vintner Select Burgundy).
- Hawkstone (Cabernet Sauvignon).
- HRM Rex Goliath (Moscato).
- Korbel (Sweet Rose Sparkling Wine, Extra Dry Sparkling Wine).
- Menage A Trois (Pinot Grigo, Moscato, White Blend, Chardonnay, Rose, Cabernet Sauvignon, California Red Wine).
- Mogen David (Concord, Blackberry Wine).
- Oak Leaf (White Zinfandel).
- Pomelo (Sauvignon Blanc).
- R Collection By Raymond (Chardonnay).
- Richards Wild Irish Rose (Red Wine).
- Seaglass (Sauvignon Blanc).
- Simply Naked (Moscato).
- Smoking Loon (Viognier).
- Sutter Home (Sauvignon Blanc, Gerwurztraminer, Pink Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Chenin Blanc, Sweet Red, Riesling, White Merlot, Merlot, White Zinfandel).

Read more:http://www.krem.com/story/money/consumer/2015/03/23/list-of-wines-cited-in-lawsuit-as-having-high-arsenic-levels/70322716/

Which wines are not known to contain intense levels of arsenic that we HIGHLY recommend?

-Stella Rosa
-Gum Dale Cabernet Sauvignon
-Mallee Pont Shiraz
-Bella Rosso Italian Sweet Red
-Williamsburg Winery Governors White Riesling
-San Antonio Winery Cardinale
-Riunite Lambrusco
-Duplin Sweet Muscadine
-Bella Bolle Moscato D'Asti
-Bartenura Moscato
-Roscato Rosso Dolce
-Barefoot-Red Mosacto
-Andre Champagne and Sparkling wine
-Vanilla Puddin Chardonnay

Conclusion

In conclusion, it seems this is just the beginning of the research and findings into wine arsenic levels and what will be deemed safe through FDA standards in the long term. So please be safe and monitor your consumption of arsenic containing wines. We suggest to drink more red wines, that for some reason seems to be less of a threat (please see our past blogs for our favorite red wine recommendations.) Finally, in the near future we wine lovers can only hope that there is truly a safe level of inorganic arsenic exposure deemed by the FDA and that it can be monitored or eliminated all together.

Wine Down this Valentine's Day

We know, you’re still waiting on your tax return to be deposited into your account, but that doesn’t mean bae is going to understand a less than spectacular Valentine’s Day. Well have no fear, we have a sure fire way to bring the romance, save the pockets, and look out for your love’s health at the same time.

Every girl loves chocolate and wine, if she doesn’t you might want to reconsider who she is as a person. Why not do something healthy for your heart without pulling out all of the stops this holiday. As stated by Women’s Health Magazine in the “9 Healthy Benefits of Chocolate,” “In a 9-year Swedish study of more than 31,000 women, those who ate one or two servings of dark chocolate each week cut their risk for heart failure by as much as a third." Women's Health

Talking about healthy hearts,  red wine also reduces heart attack risk and heart disease among other things including . Studies show “Moderate drinkers suffering from high blood pressure are 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack than nondrinkers. “ For more information please see Food and Wine

We recommend trying Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet Wine. It's a nice red wine that's not too fruity or dry and  pairs very well with a spicy steak or a hamburger. 

You don’t have to have chocolate or wine in the traditional way, how about showing off your culinary skills in a dark chocolate chilli or better chocolate wine? The options are limitless.

Ingredients

1 bottle Zinfandel wine

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 -ounce quality milk chocolate, finely chopped

Cocoa powder, to garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat boil the wine until reduced by half.

Meanwhile, bring the milk to a boil. Place the chocolate in a small mixing bowl and pour the reduced wine over the top and whisk making sure all of the chocolate is melted. Pour half of the hot milk into the chocolate mixture and whisk to blend.

With the remaining milk, froth with a hand blender or a milk frother.

Pour the chocolate wine mixture into small cups and spoon some of the milk froth over the top, garnish with cocoa powder and serve hot.

Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/chocolate-wine-recipe.html

This holiday don’t stress over planning an extravagant night, stay in and enjoy a quiet night catching up on Empire drinking some nice wine and dining on good chocolate.

Wally Wally World: The Good, The Bad, The Affordable

Wally Wally World: The Good, The Bad, The Affordable

Walmart is known around the world for so many things whether its their everyday low prices, being a one stop shop or for folks twerkin’ by the milk.  But one thing is for sure Wal-Marts are everywhere (even in DC). So we decided to do some of the leg work and taste and review the good, the bad and the affordable wine selections at our local Walmart. So whether you are trying to score some “cheap wine” in between the struggle period (after ballin in the New Year and before W-2’s) or if it is just the nearest place open when its just one if those days;  we’ve got you covered! R.B.L. Hold Ya Down!

The Good

• Bella Rosso Italian Sweet Red Wine was really delicious it was sweet, red and bubbly and its only $7.97 this gets our Wal-Mart Favorite Star! It is quite comparable to the Stella Rosa (which is also available at Wal-Mart for at least $3 cheaper than Total Wines.)
• Menage a Trois Cabernet Sauvignon ($12.47) is a full bodied cabernet in Walmart similar to the Gumdale Cabernet reviewed in our pairings post, great for pairing with burgers and red meats.
• Duplin Sweet Muscadine Wine is so tasty and sweet, I just love it, it tastes just like the muscadine grape, it takes me back to being a kid picking and eating them straight from the grape vine! It gets our Walmart Nostalgic Seal of Approval at only $7.97 a bottle!
• Riunite Lambrusco, I would buy this again without hesitation! Its bubbly, sweet, tasty and its just $5 bucks! This would be a great wine to serve at your next get together because its tasty and cheap! A sure crowd pleaser, I haven't mat anyone yet who doesn't like a Lambrusco!

The Affordable
We had to venture out and taste the cheapest on the shelf! 

• A $2.97 Oak Leaf Chardonnay is a great value for a Chardonnay and it’s the cheapest with the most ABV out of the list at 12%. So you definitely get the most bang for your buck!
• Alongside, that is the Oak Leaf Red Sweet Wine ($2.97) its slightly sweet but pretty good if you like your red wines smooth but not too sweet.
• Lucky Duck at $3.97 is the cheapest Moscato on the Wally World shelf and it is pretty good; smooth and fruity but not bubbly like its cousin Moscato D'Asti, however, its not bad at all for the price.

The Bad

• Schmitt Sohne Riesling ($9.28) not my favorite Riesling by far it was very tart. Generally, I like a Riesling that is semi-sweet but this one was lip smacking tart and it left a sour aftertaste. 
• Chateau Morrisette Blackberry Wine ($9.47) probably wouldn't buy again unless it's to cook with maybe to make a nice glaze reduction over pound cake; but as for having a glass I will decline.