Earlier today we (theSeattleCook) were invited to the press screening of SOMM. Ash was busy today so I took my dad. Needless to say the movie re-inspired my love of wine. While sitting in the Uptown Theater in Queen Anne I had a moment of clarity (I think)…since we have been lacking on content for theSeattleCook…why don’t we write about the wines we’ve been drinking…hell…why not drink or taste wine for 365 days…and thus I present the rules as defined by Ash and I over a bottle of Portteus Rattlesnake Red 2010…

—The 365 Days of Wine Challenge— (updated w/ rules 13, 14 May 28th, 2013)

  1. Taste, sip or drink wine, champagne or sake for 365 consecutive days (spitting is allowed)
  2. Tasting, sipping or drinking the previous days wine is allowed
  3. Every 30 days we will collect 10 of our favorite wines as we go and then at the end of the month select one as our top pick
  4. Date, time and number stamp each cork as part of the record keeping
  5. Must have a partner to discuss wine with (if not together must coordinate remotely)
  6. Cannot have the same wine twice within 30 days (except for rule #2)
  7. Record the wine’s characteristics in a blog or journal…including but not limited to: region, year, varietal and winemaker for bonus points
  8. Up to 20 wines in a given month can be from the United States
  9. Price is not a factor ($2.49 Charles Shaw is in play 🙂
  10. Up to 18 bottles of wine can be red in a given month
  11. Must recycle empty bottle(s)
  12. Drink responsibly
  13. Must travel 2x during challenge at least 60 miles to taste, sip or drink wine
  14. Restaurant wines by the glass count; but need to be accompanied by a picture of bottle or cork

*(optional) At the end of 365 days consider taking the Intro Sommelier Course by the Court of Master Sommeliers
**rules subject to change/ updates
***I do not how long this will last but we are going for it

And now….the Health benefits of wine:
Promotes Longevity, Reduces Heart Attack Risk, Lower Risk of Heart Disease, Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Lowers Risk of Stroke, Cuts Risk of Cataracts, Cuts Risk of Colon Cancer, Slows Brain Decline.
+Source: Food and Wine Magazine

According to the Today Show on NBC  — It’s been well documented that moderate amounts of alcohol can raise your good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and thin your blood. This is thought to be one of the primary cardiovascular benefits from wine (red and white)

WebMD reports — Wine reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Wine Folly reports — Wine drinkers have a 34% lower mortality rate than spirits/ beer drinkers.

MAYO Clinic staff — Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of “good” cholesterol and protecting against artery damage.

Health magazine — Build better bones