   Eric Wolfinger Pinkerton avocados with pea shoots, toasted pine nuts and prosciutto Los Angeles chef Nancy Silverton shares this ideal summer recipe for a bright, fresh and earthy Cal-Ital salad. Nutrient- and antioxidant-rich avocados are the star, complemented by toasted pine nuts and thin-sliced prosciutto. Crunchy pea shoots add a healthy dose of vitamins A and C. Pair it with a crisp white wine like Vermentino. Get the recipe!
Ask Wine Spectator Q: Can I drink wine if I have gout?—Greg, Sarasota, Fla. A: Gout is a form of arthritis that causes severe pain, redness and swelling in the joints, often at the base of the big toe. According to the National Institutes of Health, studies have identified numerous genes that contribute to gout risk, but the primary risk factor is hyperuricemia, or elevated uric acid levels. Because there is a genetic component to this condition, people with a family history should consult their physician to establish a diet and lifestyle that mitigates other contributing factors, such as consuming foods and beverages that are high in purines, such as organ meat, seafood, alcohol and sugary beverages (uric acid is a byproduct of purine digestion).
"Alcohol consumption increases uric acid," Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University, told Wine Spectator, "and has been associated with increased risk of gout attacks." However, she acknowledged, not all types of alcohol appear to have the same impact on gout risk. A 2004 Harvard Medical School study on the effects of alcohol on gout patients concluded that wine drinkers showed no greater or lesser chance of developing gout compared with nondrinkers. Spirits drinkers' chances of developing gout grew by 15 percent for every shot of liquor they consumed each day, and beer drinkers' proclivity grew by 49 percent with each daily beer.
According to the Mayo Clinic's suggested "gout diet," beer and liquors are associated with an increased risk of gout and recurring attacks, but moderate wine consumption has not appeared to pose a risk. Whether or not you are experiencing gout attacks, consult your physician before including moderate wine consumption as part of a gout-friendly diet.—Shawn Zylberberg and Douglas De Jesus Have a question about wine and healthy living? E-mail us. Browse our archive of previous questions and answers.
 Ullstein bild via Getty Images America's relationship with alcohol ... It's complicated. It's easy to forget how big an impact the French Paradox had on wine's role in America. There was a deep cultural change as wine became viewed as part of a healthy lifestyle. But recently a vocal segment of public health experts, worried about binge drinking, is pushing back on the idea that moderate consumption can be healthy. Wine Spectator news editor Mitch Frank asks, are the authorities going too far?
 Courtesy of Julia Coney / Sash Photography Watch wine writer Julia Coney now and, coming up, sommelier, vintner and author André Mack. Check out our Instagram Live series, "Straight Talk with Wine Spectator," for virtual chats with super chefs, winemakers, somms and more, airing every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. ET! Throughout August, we're highlighting Black voices in the wine business, from wineries, distributors, restaurants and other aspects of the industry. If you didn't catch it live, watch our chat with Super Bowl champ–turned–wine concierge Will Blackmon. And be sure to catch last night's chat with executive editor Thomas Matthews and wine writer and advocate for diversity Julia Coney. And Aug. 20, Matthews will talk to sommelier, vintner and author André Mack. Check out past conversations, see the full lineup and tune in!
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