Is white wine better for my teeth than red wine?
I had this question asked of me and assumed that white wine would be better on your teeth. It made do some research. Though white wines contain far less pigment than reds, both wines contain acid, which is the component that damages your teeth. Red wine can cause tooth discoloration, but if you are substituting white wine to prevent tooth stains, you might reconsider your choices. White wine is extremely acidic. The acid eats away at your tooth enamel, creates rough spots, and grooves that leave your teeth open to stains from other foods or drinks.
Even though you might not see stains after drinking a glass of white wine, it can still stain just as badly as red wine provided it's consumed along with foods and beverages containing a great deal of pigment. According to a study done by the New York University College of Dentistry, in which cow teeth (which are very similar to human teeth, who new) were soaked in black tea alone, and also in white wine followed by black tea. The teeth soaked first in wine picked up a great deal of brownish-red pigment, while the teeth soaked only in black tea were unstained. The findings were that the wine helped to erode some of the enamel, and left the teeth exposed to the staining pigments in the tea. Also, the New York University College of Dentistry studied the effects on tooth whiteness, and found that although red wine discolors, white wine actually dissolves a micro layer of tooth, making it rougher and more vulnerable to staining. A group from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, confirmed their findings and also discovered that the longer the time you spend drinking white wine, and the more frequently you drink it, the worse the damage will be to your teeth. Ouch!
If you love your wine, here are some tips on how you can protect your teeth:
1. Eat smart. Pair your wine with foods that have low acid content. Nuts, non-acidic fruits and vegetables and cheese are excellent options, not to mention that they go well with wine!
2. Wait to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon after white wine will cause more damage to their already weakened state. Wait 30 minutes or longer before brushing your teeth after drinking the wine.
3. Rinse with water after drinking. This will help neutralizes acid throughout the mouth -- and will help cleanse your palate between tastings!
Red or white? That’s for you to decide! If you have further questions, check in with your dentist!
Until next time, cheers!
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Wine and Fondue
Wine and Fondue
Cheese fondue conjures up memory of friends sitting around a warm vat of cheese while everyone tries to make sure their bread doesn’t fall off the long fork into the mix. Most people think of fondue as just cheese and bread.
Fondue became popular centuries ago in Switzerland, where hard cheeses likc Gruyère, Emmental and Raclette were mixed with Kirsch (fruit brandy made with morello cherries), and a sturdy crust bread was dipped into the creamy cheese mixture on cold winter days. Fondue is also made using a dry white wine.
The cheese mixture is often paired with a crisp dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Brut Champagne or Brut sparkling wines, which cut through the rich fatty Gruyère. These wines will also pair with apples or pears dipped in the cheese. Other wines to consider are Chablis and Aligoté. Avoid oaky California Chardonnay. You want a wine with acidity.
After you have had the cheese fondue, jump into making a hot oil fondue. Use vegetable or corn oil, and make sure the temperature remains about 375 degrees. Any lower and the food will absorb too much oil. Use small cubes of raw beef, chicken, mushrooms, and potatoes. Also give fish a try, like swordfish. You can still stay with a sparkling wine from your cheese fondue if you wish, as fried foods pair well sparkling wines. If you want to change it up a little, go with a Spanish Cava.
After this, move on the desert fondue with chocolate. Use a high quality dark or milk chocolate, and get creative by stirring in flaked coconut, mini-marshmallows, toasted hazelnuts or almonds. Here is where you can get creative. Try some cubed pound cake, strawberries, banana slices, and pineapple cubes. Move to a red desert wine like Banyuls or a Tawny port.
Gather a group and have a party with fondue! Start with the cheese, move to the oil and finish with the chocolate fondue. Celebrate National Cheese Fondue Day on April 11th; invite some friends over for a fondue party. Ask everyone to bring something like bread, vegetables, meats, and fresh fruit. Oh don’t forget the pound cake and marshmallows for the chocolate.
Bon appétit!
Cheese fondue conjures up memory of friends sitting around a warm vat of cheese while everyone tries to make sure their bread doesn’t fall off the long fork into the mix. Most people think of fondue as just cheese and bread.
Fondue became popular centuries ago in Switzerland, where hard cheeses likc Gruyère, Emmental and Raclette were mixed with Kirsch (fruit brandy made with morello cherries), and a sturdy crust bread was dipped into the creamy cheese mixture on cold winter days. Fondue is also made using a dry white wine.
The cheese mixture is often paired with a crisp dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Brut Champagne or Brut sparkling wines, which cut through the rich fatty Gruyère. These wines will also pair with apples or pears dipped in the cheese. Other wines to consider are Chablis and Aligoté. Avoid oaky California Chardonnay. You want a wine with acidity.
After you have had the cheese fondue, jump into making a hot oil fondue. Use vegetable or corn oil, and make sure the temperature remains about 375 degrees. Any lower and the food will absorb too much oil. Use small cubes of raw beef, chicken, mushrooms, and potatoes. Also give fish a try, like swordfish. You can still stay with a sparkling wine from your cheese fondue if you wish, as fried foods pair well sparkling wines. If you want to change it up a little, go with a Spanish Cava.
After this, move on the desert fondue with chocolate. Use a high quality dark or milk chocolate, and get creative by stirring in flaked coconut, mini-marshmallows, toasted hazelnuts or almonds. Here is where you can get creative. Try some cubed pound cake, strawberries, banana slices, and pineapple cubes. Move to a red desert wine like Banyuls or a Tawny port.
Gather a group and have a party with fondue! Start with the cheese, move to the oil and finish with the chocolate fondue. Celebrate National Cheese Fondue Day on April 11th; invite some friends over for a fondue party. Ask everyone to bring something like bread, vegetables, meats, and fresh fruit. Oh don’t forget the pound cake and marshmallows for the chocolate.
Bon appétit!
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