PERCEPTIONS OF WINE HEALTH BENEFITS AND EFFECTS OF WINE CONSUMPTION ON WELL-BEING

he purpose of the survey was to identify and analyze moderate wine consumption of Croatian autochthonous wine varieties. The survey was conducted in 2019 and 2020 on the Croatian Science Foundation scientific project "Vinum Sanum". Dimensions of wine and health benefits, wine quality, labelling, positive and negative effects on wine labels and psychological well-being were assessed with a questionnaire from 374 participants. Results indicated that wine was perceived as a healthy beverage, consumed as part of healthy life style. Health benefits were perceived positively through cardiac, physical health and psychological well-being. Most important quality features were: origin; micro region, terroir, PGI/PDO (protected geographic origin/protected designation of origin), vintage, ageing and sugar content. This survey might be used as scientific evidence for developing health claims for wine, for producers to use health enhancing properties of wines and create packages and/or labels which may boost the positive perception of wine health benefits.