Eat Clean, Drink Clean!

Red wine is my migraine trigger.  Yes, I'm serious.  (Cue depressing music and grab the tissue box, right?!)

Drink a glass.  Wait an hour.  And, WHAM.  Intense pain that starts at the base of my head and spends the next 7-12 hours travelling from its origin, to rest behind my left eye.  Like clockwork.

Not every time, but I'll wager that it's seven times out of ten...enough to make it some pretty painful odds (sorry, couldn't resist the pun).

For someone just starting out on their wine adventure, that may not have been a truly devastating discovery.  For me, stab me through the heart and take away my birthday!

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not a lush.  I just LOVE WINE.  I love that it's social.  I love that it's a celebration.  I love that it's a progression and a cultural equalizer.  I love it for it's art form, sexiness, nuances and character.  I love it for it's familiarity and for it's unknown.  

And I know a lot of folks feel the same.

After countless hours, writhing in pain in a darkened room, though, I was pretty resolute that I was going to have to give up my liquid infatuation.

Enter Bruce Hansen.

I'll never forget the look on his face when I asked for a spit bucket and proceeded to spit out his offerings which is, typically, a perfectly acceptable thing to do (albeit not the most elegant thing, especially for a "lady").

"I know you didn't just spit out my wine!" Bruce exclaimed, shaking his head.
"I have to," I explained.  "It's my migraine trigger."
"No it's not!" he retorted.
"Um, I'm quite certain that it is!" I argued.
Bruce took a deep breath.  "Look," he said confidently, "you're not getting a migraine from the wine, you're getting  a migraine from the chemicals in some wines.  Mine are clean.  There's no chemicals in my vineyard are there certainly aren't any chemicals in my wine.  You're not going to get a migraine from it."

WHAT?!  Could this be true?  Could it really be that the door of my wino world hadn't been locked forever, but merely closed during reconstruction?!  The thought of it had me elated!

So I brought a bottle home with me and drank a glass.  It was so delectable that I had another, quite certain now that a night of agony was imminent.  But shoot, if I'm experimenting I decide that I've either got to go big or go home.  Wait.  I was home.  Nonetheless, I had to really test this theory (not to mention the wine was PHENOMENAL).

And then I waited.  And waited.  And waited.  And after waiting just a tad bit more, I went to bed.

And woke up the next morning.  Normal.  Fine.

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition, no migraine!

Now, I'm not a health nut, but I definitely give thought to what I eat.  I eat green, eat organic, eat raw, eat clean whenever possible.  Why it never occurred to me to give my beloved beverage the same scrutiny, is beyond me.  But I never really did.

And let me caveat all of this by saying that finding "migraine free" wine (which has become a very personal mission) isn't necessarily an easy process.  Truth be told, its not exactly copacetic to outright ask a winemaker if they have added chemicals into their pet product.

So I've become somewhat of a detective.  And here is my playbook.

SIP certified vineyard?  Equates to no chemical intervention during the growing process. If a winery property has gone through the process of obtaining this honored stamp, they are certifiably natural minded
Organic farming.  No brainer.
Wines that have been aged for a longer period of time.  Good indication that they haven't been "enhanced" or "altered"
Put any of these facets together (and of course, taking into consideration that I enjoy this particular wine) and it's a go!  A bottle's coming home with me.

And so far - knock on wood and raise a toast - so good!
















   

Culinasm

Culinasm = a culinary orgasm achieved by a perfect union of food and wine flavors.  (And, yes, I DID make this term up!)

Now I've had some amazing food in my time.  I've had amazing wine.  I've had amazing food and wine paired together and been absolutely delighted.  What I'm referring to, though, is an entirely different phenomenon.  I am talking about a full-blown, unabashed, euphoric food and wine experience that leaves you breathless and begging for more.  A culinary combination so crazily collaborated that it's captivating and downright cathartic (and now that I got that obnoxious use of alliteration out of my system...please forgive the creative liberty!)  

It was a handful of months ago, and I asked Bruce which of his lovely Cabs that I should take out to dinner, as I was going to be joining some dear friends for a much needed evening out.  His first question, of course being, "Well, are they wine people?"  

"Of course," I replied.  "I wouldn't dream of sharing your wine with folks that wouldn't appreciate it."

Bruce: "Good answer!  Good people!  Well, about the wine, it all depends.  Where ya going?"

Me: "Artisan."

Bruce: "What are you eating?"

Me: " I have NO idea!  They revamped their menu when they moved to their new location and I haven't been there yet, so I don't even know what's on the new menu."

Bruce: "I know something on the menu!  Do you like lamb?"

Me: "Sure."

Bruce went back to his library and pulled out a bottle of 2006 3-Barrel Cab (as in three barrels, or roughly 75 cases, was all that was produced of this baby).  He hands it to me and says, "Ok, take this bottle.  Order their lamb.  Have the waiter open it right away and let it breath through appetizers, and have a glass when your dinner comes."

Now, if you've been to Hansen Vineyards, you know that there is nothing that Bruce is more passionate about than great food paired with his world-class wine.  At this juncture, I'd be willing to bet my bottom dollar, in fact, that if Bruce is recommending this particular pairing that it's going to be exceptional.  Nothing, however, could have prepared me for what I had in store.

As promised, we had the waitress open the wine at the beginning of dinner.  Between chatting and appetizers, it had to have been about an hour by the time my lamb arrived.  Wine in the glass, I take in the nose and stop dead in my tracks.  The nose is like utter perfume.  With sweet hints of vanilla and gorgeous, dark fruit, I'm enthralled.  Now for the palate test.  Ohmygod.  Honestly, one of the best sips of wine that I have ever had the pleasure of rolling across my palate.  It's big.  It's bold.  It's got flavors for days.  The balance of fruit and oak is sheer perfection, and the finish is soft and lingering.  Truth be told, I'm (a) not certain that I want to pair this wine with any food and (b) no longer really feel like sharing my bottle!

Cautiously, I cut off a piece of the lamb chop (cooked medium-rare), and take in the flavors.  Exquisite.  And for the real test, I take a sip of my new favorite wine. They combine in a tryst of flavors, and I prepare to swallow.  Will it be harmonious?  Cacophonous? 

I am speechless.  A woman of (too) many words is without dialog.  I'm undone.  I'm in a world of my own, and I can't come back into reality.  

I was having a such a moment with my food and wine, in fact, that I could have very well unleashed an Oscar worthy rendition of Meg Ryan's famous "When Harry Met Sally Scene" right there in Paso Robles Artisan, and it was legit!

A culinasm.

I had to let others in on my discovery.  Within seconds, I'm forcing pieces of chop onto everyone's plates, and filling everyone's glasses.  It was too incredible not to have my friends sharing in my stupor.

Moments later, my jury rang in their verdict.  They agreed, unabashedly.  It was utter perfection.

Truth be told, that was my first culinasm, and I haven't had one since.  And that's not to say that I haven't had good food, or good wine, or even good pairings.  But THAT caliber experience has left all others paling in comparison. Maybe it's because it was my first.  Maybe it's because I haven't been out there sampling enough. Maybe this is starting to sound like something that it shouldn't sound like and more than you ever wanted to read about in a winery blog.  

Or maybe, like me, you are not afraid to wave that freak flag and scream it out to all who will hear...

"I have a total life mission to achieve that heightened state of culinary euphoria again and again and again!"

To all my fellow foodie/wino freaks, I salute you!  

If you've had a culinasm of epic proportions and would like to share about it, please email me (Jennifer) at jjansen@hansenwines.com

     

What, exactly, IS the Templeton Gap?

A few days ago, we had a surprise visit from a dear friend and neighbor.  His name is Jim.  Among a dozen other fabulous accolades, he is a retired Aeronautical Engineer.  Talk about an intelligent and fascinating individual to talk to!

Amid Bruce's fantastic stories (he know EVERYONE in this area...no, really...everyone), laughter, camaraderie and the two of them razzing one another like teenage boys, we had a guest interrupt with a question that caused both Bruce's and Jim's eyes to gleam.

"I keep hearing of this thing called the Templeton Gap.  Can you (directed at Bruce) explain to me exactly what that is?  A lot of wineries keep talking about the Templeton Gap.  Is is like an area, or what?"

Bruce leans back in his chair with an impish grin and motions his hand over to his buddy, Jim.  "I'm going to let my friend answer this one, cuz I know that he knows what the Gap is!"

Jim smiles.  "Yep!  I've even seen it!"

Our guest seems enthralled, so I figure that it will be alright if I abandon my pouring for a couple of minutes to, likewise, listen in.  You see, I have a fairly basic understanding of the Gap (a notch in the coastal mountains) but I know enough about our friend to know that this is going to be a more intricate description than I have previously been offered.

"You see," he begins, "I love to take my plane out to the coast and fly around.  As you're heading out towards the ocean, you can see that this entire area hosts a little valley set in between mountains."

He pauses.

"Hey Jen, can you grab me a piece of paper?"  To which I quickly deliver.

He then proceeds to draw a diagram similar to this... (Please excuse my girly, chicken scrach handwriting on junk paper...I would have attached his nicer rendition but our guest took it with them.  I guess I could have done a little computer diagram, but since this is very similar to the drawing presented, we'll go with this!)

 

He continues, "You see along the coastline is a pocket of cold air, coming off of the ocean.  Inland, in Templeton, you know that we get those nice and hot temperatures.  Well, the cold pressure builds and builds and eventually needs to find a release. It just so happens that there is a fantastic geographical venturi right here, coming off of the coast.  Do you know what a venturi is?"  He pauses and looks at the guest.

To which they reply, "Isn't it that thing that wine goes through to aerate it?"

Jim smiles.  "Well yes, but not as I'm referring to it, but that devise is named because it uses the same physics.  Now, I won't get too technical on you.  Just go with me.  A venturi is any device that is shaped like this (please refer again to my crappy drawing).  It's wide on the outsides and narrow in the middle.  A venturi's purpose is to accelerate.  There are venturis in carburetors, and yes, in that little wine trinket, too.  You following?"

We all nod.

"Well," he continues "the mountains coming off of the ocean, make this exact shape.  I can attest!  I've seen it in my plane.  So let me paint the entire picture.  Cold air and pressure builds along the coast.  That pressure is looking for a release.  It finds this natural notch, this natural venturi, if you will, in the mountains or the place that is called the Templeton Gap.  Cool air makes it's way through this natural acceleration device, and the wind whips through here at a fantastic rate, shooting out cool, coastal air on the other side.  Now Hansen here (motions at Bruce) is located smack dab in the middle of the receiving end of this venturi.  What does that mean?" he asks.  "I'll let Bruce take it from here."

Bruce, before taking stage congratulates Jim for breaking it down nicely in to layman's terms.  I have to agree.  It makes absolute sense, right?

Bruce says, "Well, what it means is that I have perfect growing conditions for my grapes!  I get nice hot days and cool nights because of that cold air whipping through the Gap and up onto my vineyard.  Makes for some tasty Cab!  Wouldn't you agree?"

I quickly realize that my guest's glass is empty and jump back in with the next in my line up of Bruce's fabulous Gold Medal wines.

My guest, endowed with a better understanding of this unique little wine haven, seems thoroughly satisfied both with the answer and the experience, and leaves eager to share about it with others.

As Jim and Bruce return to their witty banter, I can't help but smile.  Not an ounce of pretension here.  You have a question pertaining to wine, topography, AVA, growing, etc?  We've got an answer.  With Bruce, I'll be honest, sometimes it will contain a bit of BS just for good measure, but our guests always leave here with fantastic wine AND little nuggets of fun trivia.

And for me, I get to take it all in.  You know, just another day "at the office."

The Day of the Wandering Wineaux's!

If you've ever worked in a tasting room, I'm certain that you can attest that there are some interesting folks that come into your establishment.  Shoot, if you've ever been in a tasting room, I'm sure you've tasted along side some pretty interesting folks.  Maybe you're reading this, and you ARE that interesting character that I'm referring to!

Here, at Hansen, we have even encountered a handful of special days that seems to host a 'theme' of individuals.  You know..."Canoodling Couple" day, where every guest that stops by to visit seems to be on their second honeymoon, or "Wine Expert" day, where our guests seem very certain that they know more than you, or "Just Tasting" day, where ne'er a bottle of wine is sold (and you'd swear that after the third encounter like this, you're either on candid camera, the worst salesperson on the planet, or that there is a large group of folks congregating up in the upper parking lot, sending select members in, on the hour, from their large tour group titled "We JUST taste."  Not that just tasting is a bad thing.  It's certainly permissible and acceptable just to taste, however, when you get an entire day of folks that are just tasting, it really starts to mess with your mind!  I could go on about this subject, but that, my friends, is for another post!

Anyway...theme days...you get the picture.

Well, here just yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting "Wandering Wineaux" day.  What do I mean by this, exactly?  Let me set the scene.  It was a slower day.  Likely because we're sandwiched in between the Holidays and the first three day weekend of the New Year.  Everyone is tapped out from Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas shopping.  I'm in the back doing computer work (ie. setting up our new blog), when I hear this sweet little, "hello?"

I walk out to find this darling little gal, and set out a menu and a glass for her.  I explain that we will be starting with our Cabernet Rose', which, if you know anything about Rose', you know that you could search the world over, and would be very hard pressed to find ten bottles of this style wine made from this varietal.  "Interesting choice of grape!" she muses.  Cool.  This gal knows her stuff.

We proceed to chit chat, and she begins to tell her story.  She was a Master of Wine student who grew up a stone throw away from the Napa and Sonoma wine country.  When her studies lent all of a paragraph dedicated to California, Oregon and Washington wine regions combined, she decided to take her education and palate on the road.  Renting out her apartment in the city, she spends a month at a time at one of the smaller, lesser known, California wine regions and blogs about her experiences there.  A self-professed wine gypsy.  How fascinating!  (You can follow her experiences at drinkthosewords.com).

A second pair enters the tasting room, and my new friend slides over.  I start them on the Rose' as well, and before they are two sips in, a third pair and then a forth pair meander in...the "when it rains, it pours" phenomenon in a tasting room.  (I'ts an unspoken rule that on a slow day, all of your traffic will come in at once.  Not spaced out, so that you get a really nice opportunity to leisurely chat with each of the folks coming in.  Nope.  All.  At.  Once.)

Immediately, I call for backup (which entails putting a call in to our beloved owner and winemaker who is enjoying a much needed siesta).  "Hey Bruce, sorry to bother you.  We've got lots of lovely folks in here and you asked me holler when we had visitors."  "Oh goodie!" he exclaims.  "I'll be right down."

I get all of the guest situated and tasting, making small talk with each.  In my short assessment, I learn that one of my couples is celebrating the husband's new retirement and that, as such, they are travelling the California coast with the sole intent to taste as much wine as possible.  My third set of folks has made it their life mission to taste wine in all 50 states.  California was number 17 on their list.  They were headed to Hawaii next (pineapple wine?!).  My last set of folks just got back from a European wine cruise, where they enjoyed wines from 7 countries, and are voraciously planning their next wine filled excursion.

All ages.

All backgrounds.

All walks of life.

All with one common thread.

Each and every one of these folks were Wandering Wineauxs, with a unique mission to travel the state, states, or world over in search of more of their favorite elixir!

Bruce walks in, and does a quick job of making new friends and it doesn't take long for him to realize, as well, that we are in the midst of a fabulous theme day.

When all of our guests leave, we pour a little toast and smile.

"Interesting day," I say.  He agrees.  Interesting day, indeed.  

To good times and good people and to Wandering Wineaux's everywhere!

Cheers!  

 

 

Wine Talks

Wine Talks
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If so, what does it say?

Wine Talks
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What about this liquid will we discuss today?

Noun or verb
Verb or Noun
Makes no difference, my dear

All is fair in wine and war...
Won't you lend us your ear?