Elderberry is that simple fleshy purple fruit used in folk traditions to treat colds, as well as a variety of other ailments. It is rich in antioxidants and can be made into a variety of treats, from pies and jellies to sweet wines.

Health Benefits of Elderberry

Let us look here at some of the major benefits of elderberry wine. Classic grapes are what spring to mind when we talk about wine. Grapes are by far the most common fruit associated with winemaking.

This does not mean that these are the only option we have. There are plenty of other fruits that are also used to make wine including dark berries, huckleberries, elderberries, blueberries, plums, pears, and apples.

Elderberry is a fine example that is used to make Elderberry wine. Just like the classic grape wine, elderberry wine is precisely perfect for the cold weather and pairs nicely with an assortment of delicacies and foods.

More About Elderberry Wine

The elderberry fruit has reasonable quantities of sugar and acid, excellent color, alcohol content, and excellent proportion of tannin levels to make it an ideal candidate for winemaking. 

What gives the elderberry wine medicinal properties to protect you from cancer, heart disease, inflammation, and other unforeseen illnesses?

High amounts of antioxidants and is what extensively contribute to the health-related benefits of consuming Elderberry wine. It should alone be a reason for you to try some elderberry wine. This is is a great one if you’ve ever needed an excuse to try.

Here are some of the key features of Elderberry wine that makes it stand out for what it is – 

• Balanced Components: Proper proportions of acidity, tannins, and alcohol is what makes fine wine. An excellent balance of these components in fruits makes them ideal and ultimate for winemaking. The main problem with some wines is that a majority are too alcoholic while a few are too tannic and that some are too acidic.From a genetic perspective, grapes are considered to be the best, while elderberries exhibit similar acidity and notes of tannins. Elderberry wines are therefore incredibly similar to their classic counterparts from grapes.
• Vitamins & Amino Acids: Elderberries contain considerable amounts of amino acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids and health-beneficial Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C as well. Elderberry wine is also a remedy for influenza. It reverses the effects of cold chills by inducing perspiration and warm elderberry wine is also a good cure for a sore throat. Elderberry wine is traditionally recognized as a curative agent for colds and a reliever for asthma and bronchitis.
• Appearance & Medicinal Properties: Remember that this wine has an alcoholic content and therefore overindulging can be destructive to overall health. Therefore, drink in moderation as there is likely no harm in a little bit of consumption. Taking at least a glass or two after nice creamy ice cream, or desserts following a dinner treat is recommended.
• Availability & Popularity: Elderberry wines seem to be rising in popularity and are now being favorably compared with other wines like Merlot and Cabernet made using blueberries and grapes. With a slightly smooth and sweet finish, Elderberry wine is quite distinct and intense. Nevertheless, it appears to have a good reputation with consumers as well as winemakers. Elderberry wine is now produced in large quantities with rising popularity. you’ll find an increasing number of suppliers who are stocking the elderberry variety.
• Reduces Inflammation: Tannins and flavonoids can help prevent damage to the cells of our body. Polluted air, stress, unhealthy foods, and substances like alcohol and tobacco are a cause inflammation in the body. Elderberry wine contains a variety of “bioactive” substances that provide protection. Harmful byproducts in the body can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer cellular damage can in turn generate free radicals. 
• Immunity Booster: Anthocyanin is a pigment with antioxidant effects that give elderberries their red, blue, purple, or black coloring. These are considered to prevent flu viruses from reproducing inside our bodies. It may also prevent the onset of flu or decrease the duration of its symptoms.
• Benefits on Heart Health: Make sure to check with a doctor before taking elderberry supplements to avoid any potential drug interactions or negative effects during the winter season before trying heart-healthy elderberry antioxidant supplements that give a boost to your immune system. Multiple studies have suggested that elderberries help lower blood pressure and prevent the onset or progression of heart disease.

Side Effects of Elderberry Wine

Allergies to elderberry wine are rare, but only the fruit and flowers of elderberry are edible. Ingesting raw or undercooked elderberry can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as the rest of the plant is poisonous. However, elderberry should not be combined with laxatives or diuretics. This enhances the effect of medicines.

People taking steroids or monoclonal antibodies should also avoid elderberry supplements as they could interfere with the original medication and multiply the risk of cellular damage. Beware if you decide to make elderberry syrup on your own since unripe or undercooked elderberries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

This is another significant variety of Crete grapes in Greece. Thrapsathiri is emerging as one of the region’s most promising and exciting wines. Shadowed by the more popular Vilana, Thrapsathiri Wine was misunderstood and falsely considered a relative of Athiri.

Nonetheless, solely based on its attributes, Thrapsathiri now draws the attention of many critics. It is widely used to make first-rate dry and occasionally sweet, white wines.

Being highly resistant to drought, the Thrapsathiri vine is ideally suited to even the warmest spots of Crete. However, winegrowers must produce concentrated fruit to respond poorly to high yields.

Thrapsathiri wines are pale lemon-green. They have a moderately intense nose and are thoroughly dominated by primary fruit. Mainly melon and peach. They have a whole body on the palate, notable alcohol content, and soft acidity.

From Chania to the west and Lasithi to the east, Thrapsathiri vines are grown all over Crete. The most acclaimed lot of the wines come from the PDO Sitia area. It is where white wines are blends of Vilana and Thrapsathiri. But several producers of the island notwithstanding make single varietal wines of Thrapsathirι.

Thrapsathirι grapes are rich round but not too intense or heavy. The wine is an excellent option for matching rich food that is too intense and complex to go down matching wine down the path of conventional food. 

Thrapsathirι is a perfect wine for relatively cold weather days as well. However, they have to be drunk within four years after the vintage. Nevertheless, some leading producers also make distinctive wines that can develop for over a decade.

More About Thrapsathiri

Thrapsathiri Vine is an ancient Greek grape variety originating from Crete. It was initially thought to be related to the Aegian island white variety Athiri. However, recent DNA evidence revealed that Thrapsathiri is not connected to Athiri. It is identical to the local grape Begleri of the Cyclades and also close to another grape variety Vidiano from Crete. Currently found in vineyards in the two eastern-most districts of Heraklion and Lassithi in Crete. It is also permitted in the southeast region of Lakonia in Peloponesse.

Thrapsathiri in the past formed blends with Vilana. This is another popular indigenous grape variety in Crete. However, Vilana is now increasingly vinified on its own. In some recent bottlings, Thrapsathiri nowadays is also found in partnership with Sauvignon Blanc since it can stand up very well to maturation and barrel fermentation.

The resulting wine from the mix is distinctive and aromatic. It is full-bodied with intense citrus and peach overtones. It is an exciting proposition for those looking for something new to discover.

The name Thrapsathiri is derived from the ancient Greek word “Thrapseros.” It means prolific and productive. And Athiri is a variety of grape widely planted throughout the Aegean region.

Heritage: A Prized Past

However, note-worthy that the dominant and high-productive white varieties of grapes in Crete are from the 12th – 18th centuries. They are identified by the umbrella term “Thrapsa.” These include the Athiri, Vilana, and the historic Malvasia di Candia. Which, along with Thrapsathiri, are some of the many components of the ancient Malvasia of Crete. Sweet wines from this region, in turn, were some of the most prized exports from the island during medieval times.

White Greek wine grape indigenous to the island of Santorini is called Assyrtiko or Asyrtiko Wine. It is extensively planted in the volcanic-ash soil of Santorini and on other Aegean islands. Assyrtiko is also found in other scattered regions like the Chalkidiki of Greece.

Widely grown in the arid regions of Greece, Assyrtiko has a strong citrus flavour of lemons. Assyrtiko, coming from Santorini, also bears a seaweed-saline character. It is also found to develop orange blossom and peach flavours when grown on the mainland.

Most famously grown on the volcanic island of Santorini in the Aegean sea, Assyrtiko is arguably Greece’s most iconic and versatile wine grape variety. 

From fresh, minerally white wines to rich, nutty dessert wines known as Vinsanto, wines in this region are made in many styles. Assyrtiko is also occasionally seen in Retsina and is also found to be planted as far north as Drama in Greek Macedonia.

Advanced Age of Wines

The wines of Santorini are some of the oldest wines in Greece and can reach an age of 70 years. Assyrtiko can make some very complex wines since the advanced age of wines tends to affect the quality of wine as yields are reduced.

Unlike most of Europe, the spread of phylloxera has largely been prevented due to the harsh volcanic soils of the island’s vineyards. Moreover, the vines do not need to be grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstocks. The Santorini terroir offers up some challenges that have significantly affected wine growing. 

The Soil & The Region

The Santorini region on the Köppen climate scale is dry enough to be classified as a desert. It is also very windy here. Vine growers have adapted to these conditions by training their vines into “baskets.” They provide shelter from strong winds by winding the canes into walls around the fruit. The growers also space vines further apart because of the lack of water in the soil.

A peculiar feature of Assyrtiko is that it is very susceptible to oxidation. Santorini winemakers positively exploit this aspect in the making of sweet Vinsanto wines. Wine producers utilize this fact to create darker wines with fig, kirsch, chocolate, and coffee characteristics.

Versatile Variety of Grapes

Assyrtiko is an extremely versatile variety of grapes. With mineral, pear, apple and citrus blossom aromas and flavours, it can also be made into a dry wine that is yellow-gold in colour. Quite a few versions of the wine are fermented in barrels. Assyrtiko wines are naturally high on acidity and therefore can be aged for many years.

Often blended with the Athiri and Aidani grape varieties on its native Santorini, Assyrtiko wine comes in sweet and dry styles. However, these are usually only minor components of the blend, which are lower in acidity than their famous stablemate. They help tame some of Assyrtico’s natural vitality.  

Assyrtiko wines are also being crafted in a Retsina blend. But this trend appears to be falling from favour. More varietal Assyrtiko wines are now being made. Vines are being propagated from cuttings from Argyros Estate on Santorini into other countries like Australia and elsewhere.

Food Matches for Assyrtiko Wine

• Rock oysters with white-wine vinaigrette
• Korean pancakes with shellfish
• Fried halloumi cheese

Created in 1672 BC by an explosion that changed the world’s climate, the recent Greek wine revival is almost single-handedly down to the popularity of Assyrtiko wines made on the volcanic island of Santorini. 

Laying the Ground for Assyrtiko Vines

The unique soil composition of Santorini has made it one of the most individual regional styles of any wine region on the planet earth. Many pressures are being put on the Santorini wine industry. Including burgeoning tourism and outside winemakers.

Your first views of the Caldera, the half-moon shaped volcanic depression which outlines what remains of Santorini and neighbouring Thalassa, are captivating. A few miles away from the Caldera, the remains of the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri helps you realize quite how dramatic the explosion was.

Akrotiri city in the southern Mediterranean was destroyed in 1672 BC in what scientists say was one of the most devastating explosions in human history. It is hard not to wonder at the history and geological evolution that made them so unique and sought after as you taste the wines grown in this famous volcanic soil.

Greek wine is Santorini, and without a shadow of a doubt in the top five, Assyrtiko wine stands out right now.

Drinking wine every night can lead to long-term consequences, including high blood pressure. Consistent binge drinking can be a risk factor for unhealthy high blood pressure, but a few drinks once in a while only mean a temporary increase in blood pressure.

Too much wine can be destructive to your health. While raising your blood pressure and your risk of developing several kinds of cancer, too little may hold you back from some of the benefits that moderate drinkers enjoy. 

Side Effects of Drinking Wine Everyday

Side effects of drinking wine every day include flushing, confusion, or rapid changes in mood in some people. But it is unsafe to drink more than two 5-ounce glasses of wine per day. More significant amounts of wine can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, blackouts, trouble in walking, and other serious problems.

Wanting to feel more relaxed in social situations or relieving stress are common reasons people drink. It can also be a warning sign of alcohol addiction. However, if you feel unable to control the urge, you may be having a problem with alcohol. 

About ‘White Wine’

White wine can be a part of a healthy diet in moderation. But no more than one glass daily for women and no more than two glasses daily for men.

How much wine is too much for a day?

An excellent maximum amount of wine for women would be a 5 oz glass of wine, and for men, two 5 oz glasses of wine suggest experts. Moreover, no more than a few times a week. They strongly advise women against having more than three drinks of wine per day. And four glasses of wine per day for men.

Studies also revealed that drinking moderate red wine increases blood flow to erogenous zones in women. And this could also possibly increase lubrication. It was also found that women who drank red wine had a higher sex drive than those who drank other types of alcohol.

Drawbacks of Drinking Wine

Wine is not without its set of drawbacks. You may be surprised to find your midsection growing anyway, although you thought you could avoid a giant gut by avoiding beer. It turns out that “Wine Belly” is a phenomenon, and too much wine can eventually lead to extra fat around the belly, just like it does with beer.

First Signs of Liver Damage

Symptoms of alcoholic liver disease primarily include tenderness and abdominal pain. Other symptoms include a dry mouth with increased thirst, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, loss of appetite, and nausea. While your feet or hands may look red, the skin may appear abnormally dark or light.

Itching is also commonly associated with liver disease. This condition tends to be worse in the evening or during the night. Some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the palms of their hands, or the soles of their feet. At the same time, others may experience itching all over their body.

Flushing Out Your Liver

• Water is the best flushing agent, so drink plenty of water.
• Exercise regularly. It helps burn extra calories that reduce your risk of diabetes and other conditions like excessive weight, high blood pressure, and high blood fat.
• Lemon water by itself is not a detox. It simply aids the body in the process of flushing out the toxins. And thereby restoring the liver. 
• You will also need fiber to flush out the system thoroughly. Since lemons are only high in Vitamin C and not high in fiber, you will have to look for other sources.

Checking Your Liver at Home

However, home tests require a blood sample obtained from a finger prick. Screening for liver and other organ health at home may look at different markers. Companies also offer a lipid or cholesterol test to monitor liver and heart health.

The Appearance of Poop with Liver Problems

A problematic liver doesn’t make bile normally. Your poop will look pale like the color of clay, even if the flow from the liver is blocked. It often happens due to jaundice or yellowing of the skin. It is that extra bilirubin that is making your skin look yellow. Liver problems can also make your pee unusually dark.

Vitamins & Minerals Needed for a Healthy Liver

• Vitamin A and Iron. According to studies, these deficiencies are among the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide.
• Vitamin E.
• Vitamin D.
• And Vitamin B12.

Abstaining from Alcohol for Liver to Recover

Expert guidelines suggest avoiding drinking alcohol for at least 30 days to help your liver restore its normal function. It is also imperative that you follow moderate drinking guidelines after that. Continuing to abstain from using alcohol is even more helpful.

Foods & Fruits that are Good for Liver

It is wise to limit and maintain a balance while consuming these foods and fruits during liver recovery. The fructose in fruits can also cause abnormal amounts of fat to accumulate in the blood when consumed in large quantities.

Consider the following:

• Bananas
• Apples
• Grapes
• Citrus Fruits
• Coffee
• Turmeric

Turmeric improves liver function. This could be good news for people taking strong drugs for diabetes or other health conditions. Its antioxidant effect is so powerful that it may stop your liver from being damaged by toxins.  

However, people with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions and arrhythmia should abstain from consuming turmeric. Moreover, pregnant women and those undergoing surgery should not use turmeric.

How to Stop Drinking Alcohol?

You may need professional help if you find that you cannot stop drinking alcohol every night, despite your attempts. There are numerous types of support available, including outpatient therapy, day sessions in a treatment facility or a residential treatment program. Nevertheless, the proper support for you will depend on your situation. Remember, there is no shame in taking a helping hand from time to time when required.