wine, sex, & health
by John Fanning
It is well known that an active sex life can benefit a person’s health in numerous ways; it is also well known (if less spoken of!) that the consumption of wine can directly contribute to an active sex life. A moderate amount of wine can arouse and stimulate a number of senses. It can help us relax, let go, and anticipate intimacy. But is it safe to conclude that drinking wine can benefit your health indirectly through sex?
For thousands of years sex and wine have been intertwined; Roman deities such as Dionysus often played the dual roles of God of Wine and God of Fertility. Rituals in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome such as Bacchanalia (named for Bacchus, another wine-god) involved the consumption of enormous quantities of wine, culminating with sexual hijinks so wild that the festivities were eventually banned. As Roman poet Ovid wrote, “Wine gives courage, and makes men more apt for passion.”
In the modern world, Australia has brought us the world’s first winemaker/sex therapist. Anita Bowen has been a certified sex therapist since 1994, and started producing her Balthazar Shiraz in the Barossa region of Australia in 1998. Bowen believes that “wine language is the language of sexuality” and that many winemaking problems can be “cured” with sexual therapy. For example, if a wine’s fermentation is stuck, Bowen suggests creating a sensual environment for the wine with some candles and soothing music.
History has shown us that wine has been thought of as an aphrodisiac for centuries. In fact, there is an ancient recipe known as Hippocras’ Aphrodisiac that blends cinnamon, cloves, ginger, vanilla, and sugar with red wine. While wine may assist your sex life, what advantage does this have for your health? Hugh O’Neill, editor of Men’s Health magazine, recently listed a number of health advantages to an active sex life. Regular sexual activity is considered a form of exercise, and has the same benefits, such as burning calories, increasing oxidation, and lowering cholesterol, In addition to its benefits for the body, sex can also be great for the mind, significantly lowering stress levels.
Despite all its health benefits, only moderate consumption of wine will benefit your sex life. So next time you are drinking a glass of wine, whether it be “voluptuous” or “lacking body,” remember what William Shakespeare wrote of strong drink in Macbeth: “…it provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.”
| For the adventurous, here is a recipe for Hippocras’ Aphrodisiac adapted from www.historicfood.com.
2 tsp cinnamon Remember: Moderation is the key! Note: This recipe is provided for general informational purposes only. Drink it at your own risk. |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR John Fanning has worked at vineyards and wineries all over the world, including the Finger Lakes, Oregon, and Tuscany. He is currently a Wine Specialist at Marketview Liquor in Henrietta.