It looks like white wine may have gotten a bad health rep for no good reason. White wine lovers – rejoice!
Throughout the years, scientists have documented the benefits of red wine — for heart health, cholesterol control and possibly even cancer prevention. But what about the white kind? The short answer is that the evidence supporting white wine’s health benefits, while still limited, is growing.
While previous studies on the elixir have been mostly focused on testing in animals or on testing the components of the drink itself, two recently published clinical trials found good news for white wine enthusiasts.
The first study, called In Vino Veritas involved tracking 146 subjects half of whom drank pinot noir, and half of whom drank a white chardonnay-pinot over the course of a year. The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting last year:
Those who worked out twice per week and drank wine — either kind — saw a significant improvement in cholesterol levels.
The second, published last Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, tracked 224 volunteers with type II diabetes who were asked to drink 150 mL of either white wine, red wine or mineral water (the control) with dinner every day for two years. The findings were promising for both red and white wine:
Moderate intake of wine as part of a healthy diet among those with well-controlled diabetes moderately decreases cardiometabolic risk.
Another interesting finding was that sleep quality improved in both wine groups as compared to the mineral water group.
So, for all those white wine enthusiasts who keep hearing that red wine is better for you, stick to your guns because the white stuff may be just as good, if not better when it comes to health benefits.
The relationship between alcohol and consumers is not straightforward. In fact, it’s highly complex, dependent on variables upon variables many of which can’t be controlled. But what is straightforward is that the relationship is changing.
‘The Drinking Code’
The recently published report produced by media agency Maxus, investigates why, how and when people drink and what these changing patterns of behavior mean for the alcohol industry. It analyzed attitudes from 6,500 adults across Australia, China, Germany, India, the UK and the US, and the conclusions are pretty cool!
The Rules of Consumption are breaking
Although Maxus found that only 39% of consumers enjoy experimenting with different drinks compared to the 62% that stick to what they know, the alcohol industry as a whole is breaking away from its categorized nature.
Thanks to the rise of craft vendors, the inventiveness of mixologists, and the “new rituals and occasions” of consumers, the industry is diversifying on all fronts.
And Technology is giving a helping hand
As Maxus explains, “consumers are social,” often making drink choices based on social media experiences and what’s “trending” instead of the brand or alcohol type.
It’s easier than ever to share drinking experiences, access recipes and discover ingredients that bring alcohol consumption to a whole new level. Today, “drinks can truly act local and speak global.”
So what?
According to Maxus, it’s the start of something big:
“This is a new golden and cultural age for drink, a new world for liquor not seen since that pioneering time 150-200 years ago when all our now established brands formed, when Johnnie started walking, Dewar started rambling and Jack began filtering.”
When: July 3-5, starting at 10 am. Where: Cherry Creek North, from 2nd to 3rd Avenues between Columbine St. and Steele St. What: The signature festival is a cultural celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts. It’s a great experience for the whole family with the Artivity Avenue, a full block of interactive activity for youngsters, the Cultural Pavilion, where performing arts come to life, and the Culinary Avenue, featuring some tasty snacks and live cooking demonstrations from popular eateries around Denver. Free for all who wish to attend.
When: Friday, July 3, 4-8 pm. Where: Ridge Street Arts Square, Breckenridge, CO. What: A celebration of street, pavements and graffiti arts featuring guest artists specializing in each media. Also on the schedule is live music (starting at 8 pm), a chalk art contest, and stenciling workshops including kid’s graffiti. No admission fee.
When: Friday, July 3, beginning at 8 pm. Where: Civic Center Park (Colfax & Broadway). What: Start your 4th of July early at the 6th annual FREE community celebration featuring a concert, light show, and fireworks. The concert will feature Funkiphino and 101st Army Concert Band from Buckley Air Force Base. Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis so get there early! Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics, but concessions will be available as well.
When: Saturday, July 4, kicking off at 1:30 pm. Where: Along 23rd Avenue, from Dexter St. to Krameria St. View route here. What: Celebrate Independence Day with family and friends by watching the 6th annual Park Hill parade featuring more than 50 groups including floats, marching bands, costumed characters, classic cars and more! The parade will run along 23rd Ave., with viewing areas available along both the north and south sides of 23rd. Get there early to set up blankets and chairs, then relax and enjoy the fun!
When: Saturday, July 4, starting at 7 pm. Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High. What: Watch the Outlaws, Denver’s professional lacrosse team, face-off against the Boston Cannons this 4th of July. Then after we take home the big W, enjoy the fireworks show- pyrotechnics paired with visuals on a 220-foot wide, HD screen! Tickets start at $28 available for purchase here.
When: July 10-12; Friday 4- 10 pm, Saturday 11 am- 10 pm, Sunday 10 am- 5 pm. Where: TEV Edelweiss festival grounds in Morrison, CO. What: Celebrate traditional German culture with food, entertainment, music, dance and beer! There will be activities for children and a real German all-you-can-eat Frühschoppen (brunch) for $15 on Sunday morning from 10 am- 2 pm. Price of admission: Friday & Saturday $5, Sunday $3 (or $1 before noon); children 12 & under are free.
When: July 10-12; Friday 5- 10 pm, Saturday 10 am- 10 pm, Sunday 10 am- 7 pm. Where: Clement Park, Littleton, CO. What: Experience the largest Irish celebration in the Rocky Mountains with traditional Irish music performances and dancing, Irish drama and storytelling, crafts, games and food and drinks. Known throughout the west for its display of kilts, bagpipes and Irish step dancing, this year’s Irish Festival promises to be a memorable weekend. Price of admission: Friday $10 (or free before 6 pm), Saturday & Sunday $13; children 12 & under are free. Tickets are available online here, King Soopers/Ticket West outlets, and at the event gates.
When: Friday, July 10, starting at 9 pm. Where: VIE Nightclub Denver. What: Meet the person you’ve been stalking on Tinder! Or find your match among Denver’s hottest singles. Show your Tinder app at the door to skip line/cover. And join us as we celebrate Stephanie (a.k.a Sirvo’s fearless leader) turning 27 with bottles galore and beats provided by DJ GARMAN!
When: Saturday, July 11, 12- 4 pm. Where: Millenium Harvest House in Boulder CO. What: Third annual celebration of the best & baddest IPAs organized by The West End Tavern. Try IPA’s from 30+ breweries, enjoy live music from The Goonies & Sixty Minute Men, and food from The West End Tavern. Tickets are $35; 100% of proceeds to benefit Safehouse.
When: Sunday, July 12, 11 am- 6 pm Where:The Breakers Resort Denver What: To celebrate the opening of the Riviera at the Breakers Resort, a lounge and internet cafe, 303 Magazine is throwing a series of pool parties throughout the summer. The next one is just around the corner, and will be featuring DJ Kate Elsworth on the 1’s and 2’s. Tickets are $26 and only available online. Get them here ASAP because they’re going fast.
When: Wednesday, July 15, 6- 9 pm. Where: The Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield, CO. What: Ten beer-savvy chefs from around the town will compete to create up to 20 dishes to be paired with one of 20 award-winning beers. On the day of the event, chefs will be preparing then serving their dishes alongside samples of each beer. A panel of food and wine experts will name the winners for “Best Chef” and “Most Creative Chef”, and attendees will also get to cast their votes to decide the winner of the “People’s Choice Chef”. Tickets are on sale here for $75.
When: Thursday, July 16, starting at 6:30 pm. Where: Galvanize Platte in Denver, CO. What: Colorado’s premiere startup party where members of the Galvanize community, local startup scene and all who are interested come together to enjoy conversation, cocktails, giveaways, and interactive demos from presenting startups including yours truly. We’ll be showing off Sirvo and giving away some free shwag, so come and support us! Tickets are available for $15 here.
When: July 17-19, starting at 5 pm. Where:Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO. What: If you like electronic music, this concert is definitely for you. The greatest EDM artists from around the globe travel to Colorado to play for thousands of enthusiasts under the open sky at Red Rocks. The lineup includes Tiesto, Kaskade, Above & Beyond, Benny Benassi and many more. Get your tickets here before they sell out!
When: Thursday, July 23, 6- 10 pm. Where: The Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. What: Enjoy bites from over 40 of Denver’s best independent restaurants, then wash them down with cocktails from Denver’s top mixologists and craft beer from our favorite breweries. And like every BigEat, expect surprises and countless fun to benefit EatDenver. Tickets are available online for $55 here.
When: July 25-26, 7- 10 pm. Where:The Mile High Station in Denver, CO. What: The Summer Brew Fest at Mile High Station will celebrate craft beverages from around Colorado and beyond, not to mention live local music, food, and other vendors. Tickets are available online for $35 here, or on the day of for $45. Proceeds benefit Swallow Hill Music Association.
When: July 25, 7- 8 am. Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO. What: Get your yoga on in one of the most awe-inspiring venues in the world. After the event, visit the Top Plaza for goodies from participating sponsors. Tickets are $12, available online here; $1 per admission will go to the Whole Planet Foundation.
When: July 31, starting at 7 pm. Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO. What: Gather your friends and family and head up to Red Rocks to enjoy this classic. Tickets are $12, available online here.
Linger Eataury, the latest Denver dining establishment to be nationally recognized for its awesomeness, was named 2015 Restaurant Bar of the Year by Nightclub & Bar Media Group earlier this month, and rightly so!
The annual Nightclub & Bar Awards, established to honor “well deserving bars, nightclubs and lounges for excellence in the industry,” announced the 2015 winners in early March following a lengthy two-month selection period. Entries submitted by industry professionals on behalf of venues across the country were reviewed by a panel of recognized experts, who then determined the finalists and winners.
According to Jon Taffer, president of Nightclub & Bar and host/executive producer of Spike TV’s Bar Rescue, “the winners are visionaries who are instrumental in setting trends and forging the way for other hospitality venues,” and Linger most definitely fits the bill.
Situated in the former Olinger Mortuary garage – thus the name, which chef/owner Justin Cucci came up with by dropping the O and substituting Mor with Eat – this wildly popular restaurant/bar is the total package, from victuals to libations to aesthetics; the kitchen serves up a salute to the street food of the world, the mortuary theme is touched on without getting too kitschy (Linger tissues available for weepers, a “Harold and Maude” photo mural hangs over the open kitchen, funeral fans hang from a wall), and last but not least, the views overlooking downtown Denver are absolutely breathtaking.
Yup, it’s pretty obvious why locals and visitors alike haven’t stopped rushing the doors since they opened in summer 2011.
And now it’s official: Linger is the 2015 Restaurant Bar of the Year. Congratulations, it’s well deserved!
