Wine and the Mediterranean Diet: Two Glasses of Wine a Day for Longevity?

We always enjoy reading and sharing news like this.

For this reason, we would like to thank the Italian Sommelier Foundation and Bibenda Magazine for highlighting a topic that has always been particularly close to our hearts: the role of wine within the Mediterranean Diet and a healthy lifestyle.

The occasion was PLACE 2026, one of Italy’s leading cardiology congresses, held in Rome from June 25 to 27, where physicians, researchers, and representatives of the wine world discussed the relationship between nutrition, health, and longevity.

A very clear message emerged from the congress, one that we fully share: when consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced lifestyle, wine is not a vice to be tolerated, but an integral part of our culture, the Mediterranean Diet, and conviviality.

During the conference, speakers emphasized that moderate consumption—generally considered to be up to two glasses of wine per day—can be part of a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, another important point was strongly reaffirmed: responsible consumption should never be confused with excess. It is abuse, not wine itself, that represents the real health risk.

This principle is also supported in the book “Living Without Age – The Secrets of the Super Agers”, written by cardiologist Leonardo Calò, one of the leading speakers at the congress. The book recalls an ancient teaching, still highly relevant today, attributed to Paracelsus: “The dose makes the poison.”

The book explains how red wine, when consumed in the right amounts and as part of the Mediterranean Diet, can be included in a healthy lifestyle. Exceeding the recommended intake, however, means losing any potential benefits while increasing health risks. Wine, therefore, should not be demonized, but understood and enjoyed responsibly.

There is another point we fully agree with: wine alone is not a recipe for a longer life. Its benefits come when it is part of a lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and healthy daily habits. This is the true meaning of the Mediterranean Diet, recognized worldwide as one of the most effective dietary patterns for health and longevity.

During the congress, Franco M. Ricci, President of the Italian Sommelier Foundation and Director of Bibenda, reminded the audience that wine is not simply a beverage—it is culture, territory, tradition, and conviviality. The real difference, he emphasized, lies not in the wine itself, but in the moderation and awareness with which it is consumed.

These are reflections that we wholeheartedly share.

At Cantina Mingazzini, we believe that wine is much more than just a drink. It is history, territory, people, tradition, and conviviality. That is why we will continue to promote the culture of drinking well, which means drinking in moderation, understanding what is in your glass, and appreciating its quality.

Because the message that comes from PLACE 2026 is simple: wine is not the problem—excess is. The real difference will always be made by moderation, awareness, and the lifestyle with which we choose to enjoy it.