Enjoy in moderation – wine and wellbeing

When I moved to the Costa Blanca, I was struck by how natural wine feels here. A weekday lunch in Jalón? A glass of wine, of course. Tapas on a terrace in Moraira? Naturally, with wine. But what also stood out to me was that Spaniards take their time. No one downs three glasses in a row. It’s about tasting, talking, laughing — and there’s always a jug of water on the table.

The photos that accompany this month’s Vida Sana stories came about quite spontaneously. My friend Clara Ramos, a botanical illustrator from Dénia, dropped by recently for a catch-up. We walked through the vineyards near Jesús Pobre; I’d dusted off my old analogue Lenca camera, and before we knew it, we were taking photos. Clara has a special connection with nature — she can look at a grape or a leaf for minutes as if it were a painting. It felt natural that she appeared in the shots: pure, unposed, just as we are.

Health is no excuse — but it’s not a problem either

I’m often asked, “Elena, is wine good or bad for you?” My answer is simple: it’s wine. Not a superfood, not poison. Just a drink that, when enjoyed mindfully, brings pleasure instead of guilt. Yes, it’s a cliché, but the difference lies in how you approach it. One good glass with a meal can be a gift to your senses. Three glasses on an empty stomach — you’ll feel that soon enough, and not just the next morning.

How I do it myself

I’m a nutritionist, but also just a woman who, after a long week, likes to close the laptop, put on some music and pour a glass of wine. For me, it’s all about conscious choice. I’d rather have one glass I remember than three I forget. Sometimes it’s something special from a local bodega, sometimes just a bottle I stumble upon in the supermarket that happens to surprise me.

It’s not about the price or the label, but about the attention you give it — the aroma, the first sip, the moment you think: yes, this was exactly what I needed.

Try this

Next time you drink a glass of wine, take a sip of water first, breathe deeply, and smell your glass as if you were standing at a market where the grapes have just been harvested.

Feel what the aroma does to you before you even taste it. Then take a small sip, let it rest on your tongue, and notice how the flavours unfold. I bet you’ll naturally drink more slowly — and enjoy it far more.

Balance above all

Health isn’t a goal in itself — it’s a way of living. That’s my motto. And within that, wine also has its place. Not as an excuse, not as a problem, but as part of a rhythm where pleasure and wellbeing don’t cancel each other out.

After all, the Mediterranean lifestyle isn’t about perfection, but about balance: eating, laughing, moving, sharing. A glass of wine is simply part of that — not to escape, but to connect.

This story is part of the The Sound Of The Costa Wine Special . All month long, the stories on CostaLifestyle are dedicated to wine — in collaboration with Grupo BonAmb.