Keywords: Wine
During the Great Heat, due to hot and humid weather, the human body's metabolism is vigorous, leading to significantly greater physical energy consumption compared to other seasons. Coupled with longer days and shorter nights resulting in poor sleep quality, people commonly experience symptoms such as general fatigue, loss of appetite, a bland taste in the mouth, listlessness, and gradual weight loss. This condition, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhuxia or Kushia), is a common occurrence. Therefore, during the Great Heat, learning how to choose the right wine for social gatherings—to drink with ease and for health—becomes an important skill.
Baijiu is too strong, beer can lead to weight gain, so wine is the "obvious" choice.
Chinese diet emphasizes the balance of yin and yang, and in summer, foods that cause "heatiness" (shanghuo) are particularly to be avoided. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, any alcoholic beverage with an alcohol content exceeding 30 degrees will cause heatiness. Therefore, wine with a moderate alcohol content is more suitable for summer consumption. Additionally, wine contains various nutrients. Regular consumption can lower cholesterol, help break down high-fat and high-calorie substances ingested by the body, and promote digestion and metabolism. Drinking wine with meals can also increase stomach acid content, enhancing the absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc from food. Wine also has a diuretic effect, promoting the expulsion of toxins from the body.
Dry white or dry red? The one that suits you is the "right" fit.
Dry white and dry red wines have different production methods. From a health perspective in summer, dry red wine is more likely to cause heatiness compared to white wine. The reason is that red wine is typically fermented and aged in oak barrels, which are toasted over fire. This process imparts a smoky flavor to the wine, making it more likely to cause heatiness for individuals with a "hot" or sensitive constitution. In contrast, dry white wine, designated by the World Health Organization as one of the healthiest and most hygienic foods, offers a purer liquid. Its optimal serving temperature is around 10°C, requiring chilling to bring out its best flavor. In the scorching summer, chilled dry white wine is cool, refreshing, and less likely to cause heatiness, making it a superior choice for gatherings.