PROCYANIDINS are one of the main phyto-nutrients found in red wine thought to be accountable for its role in preventing heart disease. The following is a guide to choosing red wines based on the procyanidin contents/profile of each wine.

The following scoring system used is as follows:

* = average
** = shows promise
*** = good
***** = very good
****** = excellent

Cabernet Sauvignon (CB) is likely to have higher procyanidin levels than most other international grape varieties..

Argentina

*** Malbec
***** Malbec Reserva from Altos Las Hormigas
*** to *****CB in both Catena & Catena Alta ranges
*** Norton Privada from Bodega Norton, a blend of Malbec, CB and Merlot

Australia

The big popular brands which have led to the huge expansion of Australian wine exports are, on the whole, low in procyanidins. Wine critics also notice that these wines have been getting sweeter, in order to appeal to the taste of the US mass market. However, there are a few worthy of mention:

*** CB High Trellis from D’Arenburg, South of Adelaide
*** CB Wynns from Coonawarra
** CB Balnaves from Coonawarra
*** CB Fox Gordon from Barossa
*** King Louis
No procyanidin rich examples of Shiraz or Grenache

USA –California

**** CB Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Reserve
**** CB Mondavi regular Napa Valley &
**** CB Private Selection
*** CB Franciscan Oakville Estate
*** CB Hess Select
*** CB Mount Veeder Winery
** CB promising wines in all sectors of the market, ranging from
Ridge Monte Bello (top price) to Beringer (in the middle) to
budget priced Gallo Turning Leaf
Washington State CB will have good procyanidin levels
** CB Old Vine Zinfandel &
** CB Vinters Blend from Ravenswood are promising.

Chile

With plenty of old established vineyards , there is no reason why a good number of CB should not have good procyanidin levels

*** CB Concha y Toros Cassillero del Diablo
*** CB Cono Sur CB Reserve
*** CB Errazuriz
*** CB Montes & Montes Alpha
*** CB Valdivieso CB Reserve
*** CB Veramonte

France

Bordeaux
Large numbers of modestly priced red Bordeaux have better than average procyanidin levels (between ** & ***) including CB, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
**** Chateau Mintaiguillon from Montagne St Emilion
SouthWest
***** Madiran based on the Tannat grape
Cahors wines, known for being dark & tannic are based on Malbec( also
known as Auxerrois)
****** Clos Triguedina
***** Chateau de Gaud Cuvee Tradition
***** Chateau le Cedre Cuvee Cedre (all Cahors wines)

Languedoc-Roussillon

***** CB Mas de Daumas Gassac
*** Minervois la Liviniere Chateau Laville Bertou from Gerard Bertrand
*** Corbieres Boutenac Domaine de Villeemajou
*** Grande Cuvee Pic St Loup
*** Cotes du Roussillon- Villages wine from Domaine des Chenes
*** Vignerons Catalans (Cuvee Extreme)
*** Les Maitres Vigerons de Tautavel

Rhone

* to *** Cote du Rhone in the North, to Chateauneuf du Pape and Cotes du Rhone in the South
** & inexpensive Cotes du Rhone reds ,such as;
*** Domaine Chapton
*** Domaine Ferraton

Italy

***** Ciabot-Bertons Barolo
***** Langhe Nebbiolo De Forville
*** Pio Cesares Barolo
***** Dolcetto di Dogliani from Dolccetto & Barbera
*** Dolcetto d’Alba by Vajra & Barbera d’Asti Terre Claude
Tuscany
*** Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Avigonesi
*** Chianti Classico from Isole e Olena
*** Cantine Leonardo Chiante
*** Chianti classico reserva from Il Columbaio di Cencio
*** Morellino di Scansano
**** Poggio Bestiale

Southern Italy
***** Anglianico Contado from Norantes
**** Beneventano Aglianico from Vesevos

Sicily
***** Fatascia from Alires

Sardinia
***** Rosso Superiore del Mandrolisai
A number of other Sardinian wines rated ***

Portugal
*** Quinta do Crasto
**** Quinta de Fafide

Spain
Rioja, Spains most famous red wine come from a large area and are least likely to be beneficial among with Grand Reservas which are aged for many years before sale & lose many of their procyanidins.
*** Ribera del Duero Reserva

Uruguay
**** Catamayor Tannat from Bodegas Castillo Viejo

recommended; most Madiran from the Tannat grape and names;
Cabernet Sauvigon, Cabernet Franc,
and from the South West the Cotes de Saint-Mont, Bearn, Irouleguy, and Tursan

In the UK Madiran wines are available from a small number of producers, recommended are;

*****Cuvee Charles de Batz from Domaine Berthoumieu
*****Chapelle Lencos from Domaine Moureou
***** Chateau d’aydie
***** Domaine Labranche Laffont
*****Domaine Laougue
*****Chateau de Viella

And from Producteurs Plaimont, all with 5 star rating are;
Madiran, Cotes de Saint –Mont, and various Vins de Pays, both red and white.