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Massage & Health

This page has two sections: 

• Massage (Vinotherapy)
• Wine & Health

Massage (Vinotherapy)

Vinotherapy was conceived in 1995 by Mathilde Cathiard Thomas whose parents own a Bordeaux wine estate.  The theory behind it is that grape-seed extracts contain polyphenols that are as beneficial in caring for skin as a glass of red wine is in keeping cholesterol levels under control.  

Vinotherapy consists of various spa based treatments such as massages, wraps, soaks and cosmetic treatments, which are wine based.  For example, a merlot bath is a soak involving red wine, warm water, herbs and oils.  

In 1999, a French company Caudalie created the 1st Vinotherapy Spa in the world, near Bordeaux, in the heart of the Grand Cru vines of the Château Smith Haut Lafite at Les Sources de Caudalie and now offer it at hotel spas in Spain, Turkey, Portugal, Brazil and New York.  The spa at Hotel Golf Peralada based in Spain is another European option.  

For a comprehensive world wide listing, Spa Index have a page devoted to "vineyard inspired spa destinations and vinotherapy treatments and products."

See below for selected Canadian destinations that offer this treatment: 

• The Fairmount Royal York in Toronto 
  
• White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara-On-The-Lake
  
• Beyond Wrapture Mind and Body Care  in Kelowna, BC.

  .

Wine & Health

• There are more old wine drinkers than old doctors - German Proverb

• Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages - Louis Pasteur
• No thing more excellent nor more valuable than wine was ever granted mankind by God - Plato
• What wondrous life is this I lead.  The luscious clusters of the vine upon my mouth do crush their wine - Andrew Marvell

For those of you, like me, who are comforted by scientific evidence that a moderate intake of wine is actually good for you, the material below should be reassuring.

And if you want to shed unwanted pounds, while maximizing the health benefits of your favorite wines, buy a copy of the The Wine Lover's Healthy Weight Loss Plan.  The book is co-authored by a noted cardiologist and an award-winning chef and they will teach you how to make wine part of a healthy diet. 

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