Even with rising prices in food, gas, and the mortgage crisis, Americans are still drinking wine. We are trading down in price, the under $15 price is the key, with a 33.9% rise in the “premium box” segment.

After working with my family practice doctor for a few months, I finally got referred to an allergy doctor who also loves wine, so he had a great understanding of my issue. After a round of testing, we discovered I’m VERY allergic to the great outdoors and cats. The outdoors is manageable–stay indoors, run the air conditioning and if I’m outside working I wear a mask. But I live with and love two adorable cats that I did not want to get rid of.

The doctor got me on a good cocktail of medication: nasal sprays, pills and allergy shots. But the most important thing I discovered was the neti pot. The medication was great for managing my allergy issues, but was not as helpful for being able to quickly restore my sense of smell. To my delight, the neti pot returned my sense of smell immediately.

A neti pot is a nasal cleansing system. It looks like a tiny tea pot or water can. By mixing a warm water salt solution you are able to rinse your nasal passages. It takes a few times to get used to it. It can take a few times to clear things out, especially if your nose is blocked up. A saline nasal spray is a much smaller rinse than a neti pot, and not as effective.

I have found using the neti pot a requirement in the morning when I have important tastings. One of the bonus side effects of using a neti pot is if you ever get sinus headaches, this clears them up immediately!

The one final product that helps manage my allergies is an allergy pillow cover. This is a cover that goes over the pillow, but under the pillowcase. You want one from either an online allergy store or major bedding retailer, but it must say Rx on the package. This is another product that gives relief overnight.

I still take my medications and get my allergy shots regularly, but my neti pot travels everywhere with me, my allergy pillow cover is on all my pillows and, most importantly, my cats and my passion for wine have been able to find a way to live together in harmony.

This is due to the high level of polyphenols (antioxidants) in Champagne which helps prevent cell death related to oxidative stress.

They only tested using blanc de blanc and blanc de noir Champagne, but the lab results are positive and human trials begin soon!

“While we are aware of recent research on resveratrol and the inhibition of influenza viruses, no research has studied the effects of drinking Welch’s 100% Grape Juice made from Concord grapes on the avian flu. Because of this limited information, we cannot recommend the use of our product in this area. We do know, however, that Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is abundant in a number of natural antioxidant compounds, of which resveratrol is just one, that may contribute to good health in many ways. Decisions on how to manage conditions like the avian flu should be made in consultation with a physician.”

It is worth noting, that a quick google of resveratrol shows that:
Grape juice, which is not a fermented beverage, is not a significant source of resveratrol. A fluid ounce of red wine averages 160 µg of resveratrol, compared to peanuts, which average 73 µg per ounce. Source.

So, I think in an effort to combat bird flu, we all should be required to drink a bottle of red wine a day!