Is wine the secret to a long life?

REPORTS concerning the recommended number of alcoholic units the public are advised to drink can be as puzzling as algebra after a bottle of red. Latest research has suggested that any amount of alcohol, no matter the type, is harmful to health. In Spain, where wine is a way of life, and is often consumed with lunch and dinner, this news is worrisome. 

On the other hand, the recent death of a Spanish man who lived to the ripe old age of 107 and who claimed he only drank red wine, is a refreshing paradox to the sombre tones of most research. 

Antonio Docampo Garcia, from Vigo, in northwest Spain never drank water and attributed his long life down to his home brewed red wine. Some experts say that red wine can be beneficial and Docampo Garcia is the perfect example of this. 

The wine he drank was completely homemade without any preservatives or chemicals which could be a key factor. “He could drink a litre and a half all at once,” his son, Manuel Docampo López said. 

“When we were both at home we could get through 200 litres of wine a month,” 

The ex-Spanish Civil War soldier had devoted his life to producing wine and ran his own wine business – Bodegas Docampo.  Whilst the majority of wine produced by Bodegas Docampo was sold, he made sure to keep a considerable amount for private use.  

Docampo favourite saying after a meal was: “Give me another glass of wine so I can snore when I’m dead.”