“A Glass of Wine a Day”: What Nonna Knows About Longevity
Every afternoon in a sunlit village on the Amalfi Coast, my nonna settles down at her kitchen table with a tiny glass of red wine. Just before her afternoon siesta, she sips, sighs, and declares:
“Una volta al giorno il dottore va via.”
(“One glass a day keeps the doctor away.”)
Sound familiar? Maybe your own nonna says the same. Across the Mediterranean, from Sicily to Santorini, the belief that a daily glass of wine is good for you runs deep—and it’s not just tradition. It’s a lifestyle.
But is Nonna’s wine habit just cultural folklore, or is there something more to it?
Wine and the Mediterranean Way of Life
Wine isn’t a party trick in the Mediterranean—it’s a part of the meal. A small glass with lunch or dinner is as normal as olive oil on salad or oregano on fish.
Most Mediterranean elders drink moderate amounts of wine daily, usually red, and almost always with food.
This isn’t about getting tipsy. It’s about slowing down, eating together, and enjoying the moment are all key parts of why the Mediterranean lifestyle is linked to better health and longevity.
Explore more in Why the Mediterranean Diet Is Still the Gold Standard for Healthy Eating
What Does the Science Say?
Some research suggests that moderate wine consumption, especially red wine may offer heart-protective benefits, thanks to polyphenols like resveratrol. These antioxidants have been associated with:
- Improved blood vessel function
- Reduced oxidative stress
- Lower inflammation markers
However, the medical consensus is mixed. While moderate drinking may offer small benefits in certain populations, many experts agree that lifestyle factors like diet, social connection, and daily movement play a larger role.
External source:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-controversy-over-red-wine-and-heart-health
So is wine a miracle elixir? Probably not. But is it a symbol of balance, pleasure, and ritual in the Mediterranean diet? Absolutely.
Stories from Nonna (and Her Friends)
Nonna Rosaria, age 86, swears by her lunchtime red:
“It helps me digest, keeps me calm, and reminds me to sit down and breathe.”
In a village outside Athens, Nonna Eleni enjoys hers with grilled sardines:
“Wine is life. Just don’t drink it fast—sip it like you’ve got time.”
And over in Barcelona, Abuela Carmen insists her glass of Tempranillo is the reason she still dances flamenco every Thursday.
These women don’t follow calorie counters or biohacks. They follow rhythm. Meals, rest, connection. Their glass of wine isn’t the cure—it’s the cue to slow down.
Wine, Ritual, and the Siesta
Nonna’s wine is always followed by her second sacred tradition: the afternoon nap. After eating, she closes the shutters, lays on the couch, and drifts off for 30 minutes.
The pairing of wine and siesta isn’t coincidence. Both encourage relaxation, digestion, and stress reduction—all things that the modern wellness world is now trying to recapture through mindfulness and blue zones research.
Check out Easy Weeknight Mediterranean Meals for ideas on how to build your own slow-food rituals.
If You’re Inspired by Nonna
Here are some tips to bring her balanced tradition into your routine:
- Choose red wine with a high polyphenol content (like Pinot Noir or Greek Xinomavro)
- Always drink with food—not on an empty stomach
- Keep it moderate: 1 small glass (about 4–5 oz)
- Don’t treat it as a “health fix”
- Let it signal slowness, pleasure, and connection
Or, skip the wine and keep the ritual. A cup of herbal tea, a sparkling mocktail, or just time to pause after a meal can have the same effect.
Bottom Line
Nonna’s wine habit isn’t about alcohol—it’s about rhythm, ritual, and joy. Whether or not the science fully supports it, her daily glass is a symbol of a life lived with intention. And if you ask her, it’s the secret to aging well, staying sharp, and never skipping dessert.
As she likes to say with a wink:
“Il vino fa buon sangue.”
(Wine makes good blood.)
And honestly? We believe her.
Roz Mattei
Roz Mattei is Healthy Living Magazine’s Travel Correspondent, reporting from the crossroads of culture, wellness, and global living. With a deep love for slow travel, natural beauty, and the rituals that connect people to place, Roz explores how different cultures around the world nourish mind and body.
When she’s not discovering herbal hammams in Istanbul or learning olive oil tasting techniques in Crete, you’ll find her sipping espresso in a tucked-away piazza or journaling by the sea. Roz brings the soul of travel to every article she writes.
