I just read an article about the sad fact that Mavericks player Amar’e Stoudemire is no longer taking wine baths. According to the NY Daily News, his 40-minutes baths — a mixture of red wine and water — were “a rejuvenation … [allowing him to] create more circulation in [his] red blood cells.” A red wine bath? I was intrigued. So I did some serious googling to learn more.
From Naomi Coleman, I learned the important term vinotherapy. Coleman said that “According to fans of … vinotherapy, wine can help reduce wrinkles, shift cellulite and even provide an effective facelift.” Coleman described a bunch of wonderful treatments, including a Merlot wrap and an application of resveratrol.
She interviewed a spa owner who said that “People are getting bored with traditional treatments using seaweed and mud, so we wanted to come up with something different. We consulted health experts about the possibility of using red wine, and our tests have shown it really can help you shift cellulite and feel invigorated.” The prices of the treatments reflect people’s willingness to try hot, new treatments and also the fact that the spa owners “don’t just use any old plonk.”
According to sheknows.com, “The origins of vinotherapy can be traced back to France in the early 1970s when pharmacologist Joseph Vercauteron discovered that grapes were rich in polyphenols and had beneficial effects on skin. Since then, in addition to drinking a glass of wine for heart health, wine therapy has become a hot trend in the spa industry.”
I did more googling and found hundreds (probably thousands) of posts using the keyword vinotherapy. It seems like everybody is jumping onto this wine bath bandwagon.
I found a bunch of skincare products, including Vinotherapy Cream, which features this tagline: “Local Grape Derivatives for Healing.” I found tons of spas offering delicious-sounding treatments. I also found many “health” sites that talked about the benefits of wine treatments, including wine baths.
It all sounds so incredible.
To prevent me from spending a fortune on these treatments, I reread Coleman’s article. After tantalizing her readers with delectable-sounding treatment descriptions, she ended her article with a sobering line: “Although many dermatologists agree that red grapes can play a role in preventing serious diseases such as cancer when eaten, they remain skeptical of claims that the body can absorb anti-aging chemicals – and affect its appearance.”
Okay. So maybe I’ll limit myself to one or two treatments. The reality is that even if the treatments don’t provide any of the touted benefits, spa treatments are good for the body and soul.
I’d love to hear about your vinotherapy and wine bath experiences.
As an independent wine consultant with WineShop At Home, I absolutely enjoy bringing a taste of the Napa wine country home to you one sip at a time. Whether you simply love to drink wine, seek a special personalized wine gift, or are in search of a new wine jobs opportunity as a wine consultant, feel free to contact me for a truly unique wine tasting experience!
Cheers,
Betty Kaufman, WineShop At Home
