Sure, it’s the alcohol, but it’s different to the disorientated sensation I get when I’ve guzzled similar amounts of gin and tonics or beer.
he answer is simple. Red wine increases sexual arousal in both men and women. Yes, the same stuff that can prevent us from becoming obese, lowers our risk of diabetes, prevents memory loss, helps battle depression and is good for our hearts, we now find out also turns us on.
We have a group of Italian researchers to thank for kick-starting research into red wine and sex, back in 2009.
So, faced with some of the best news in recent history, you’ll excuse me for not writing about ‘wines with naughty names for Valentine’s Day’, or ‘the best wines to match to Barry White’.
We have bigger fish to fry.
Without getting too bogged down in science, according to the research, red wine actually has compounds that stimulate our erogenous zones. Drinking two glasses a day gives women a higher sex drive, and in men, seems to increase testosterone in the blood.
A compound in red wine called Quercetin blocks the UGT2B17 enzyme, used by the male body to flush out testosterone, increasing our craving for ‘sexy time’.
Let’s not get carried away though, this only applies to the first couple of glasses. It goes swiftly downhill from there. So, which are the best wines for the job?
Wines that arouse women
Allegedly women are aroused by musky, earthy, woody, licoricey, and cherry aromas. If that sounds like your bag, look no further than Italian Chianti Classico, a wine that packs some serious sweet black cherry and earthy truffle notes. Also on the ‘to drink list’ should be Zinfandel, a high-octane grape with turbo-charged flavours of plums, liquorice and black pepper.
Try these:
The Italian Stallion Allow Lot 09 Toscana 2014 (£9.99, Aldi.co.uk) to flex its full-bodied cherry and truffle muscles
Allow Lot 09 Toscana 2014
Bucking Bronco McManis Zinfandel (£11.75, Oddbins.com) delivers succulent strawberry, praline and liquorice flavours straight to your tastebuds.
McManis Zinfandel
Wines that arouse men
Research suggests that men get off on wines with aromas of lavender, caramel, butter, orange, liquorice, baking spice and vanilla.
Rioja Gran Reserva has all the necessary credentials, with more ageing than a Reserva, you’ll get wood in the form of luxurious vanilla and butterscotch over dark plum. Reach for a Côtes de Rhone for some pheromonal foreplay, with nuanced red fruit and peppery spice notes.
Try these:
The Latin Tongue Faustino 1 Gran Reserva Rioja (£16, Sainsbury’s) was given an ‘outstanding’ by Decanter Magazine for its ‘decadence’ and value at this price.
The ‘decadent’ Faustino Rioja Reserva is excellent value
The Frenchie Esprit des Trois Pierres Costières de Nîmes (£7.99, Waitrose) packs lavender and pepper power.
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