It’s truly appropriate in this month of love, V-Day time, to focus on our hearts and have heart-healthy discussions. The month has been designated as American Heart Month. Plenty of foods qualify as heart-healthy and exercise regimes are well focused on their benefits to the heart. It’s also a perfect time to talk about wine and its benefits and find the affordable, drinkable wines that please your palate.

Consider this: Wine prices continue to drop as more distributors have become knowledgeable about less expensive wines. Is the Cabernet rush over? Some would say it has been toned down considerably for its price escalation and our newly-found interest in the under $20 and under $10 bins. Have you seen the latest strategy: Plenty of 2nd label wines are appearing in our markets and are filling up consumer carts as they are averaging $7. Hard to beat a price like that for an everyday drinkable product! If you don’t believe me, study the crowds at Trader Joe’s filling their baskets with $4.99 bottles!

Yes, the California Cab has proven an expensive luxury for many while European and South American wines are having a front row seat at the wine bar.

Time to take care of your heart. Enjoy the requisite number of fruits and vegetables, eat the right proteins, choose fats carefully, and take out your favorite glass.

Wine works wonders to soothe the soul and keep the heart healthy.

Salud.