Part of the proceeds from every Robert Mondavi wine that is sold in Bermuda between last Wednesday and January 5 will be donated to the Masterworks Foundation.

The fund raiser, which is being sponsored by Gosling Brothers Limited and the Robert Mondavi Family of Wineries, is being launched by Robert Mondavi Caribbean and Latin American manager and wine expert Diane Denham.

Masterworks is committed to finding and returning works of art inspired by the beauty of Bermuda in an on-going effort to preserve the Island's unique culture and heritage.

There will be a fund raising auction and dinner today and tomorrow and an open tasting of Robert Mondavi wines at Gosling's store on the corner of Front and Queen Streets tomorrow between 10 a.m. and noon.

Ms Denham noted that Bermudian wine consumption has increased significantly over the last four years.

"This is a trend that we are seeing globally in the wine business. Since the 1991 60 Minutes French Paradox broadcast, consumers are much more aware of the healthful benefits of drinking wine in moderation,'' said Ms Denham.

The 60 Minutes broadcast linked moderate wine consumption with health benefits. Four years later the news programme broadcasted an update which showed even stronger scientific evidence of the link.

Ms Denham continued: "Several highly respected scientific studies have shown that moderate daily consumption of wine can lower the risk of coronary heart disease by half.'' She stressed the term moderation -- meaning two to three glasses per day, consumed with food.

Gosling Brothers Limited president and chief executive officer Nancy Gosling added: "Both red and white wine contain phenolic compounds which reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer and lower overall mortality rates, but red wine is particularly beneficial.'' Red wines contain higher levels of resveratrol, a compound also found in many green vegetables, which acts as an anti-oxidant.

Ms Gosling continued: "Bermuda's red wine consumption is up eight percent in comparison to white wine consumption on the Island.

"Since the discovery of health benefits in red wine, we have seen a vast increase in the consumption of red wines such as Merlots and Cabernet sauvignon on the Island.'' FUND RAISER FNR ARTISTS ART