Wine Headache??
Many times I am told, “Red wine gives me a headache. I must be allergic to …” You fill in the blank. Some folks think it’s sulfites, and others think it’s tannins. Well…there may be some science behind the thoughts.
What components of wine might be causing the adverse reaction? Wine is a complex mix of chemicals, which makes it difficult to answer. There are two major components, which may be responsible: sulfites and histamines. Sulfites are present in all wines but at varying degrees. Sulfer is used in the vineyard, and it’s also used for hygiene reasons with the bottles and added as a preservative after the bottle is filled. Sulfer is also a natural by-product of fermentation. You will see on the label that the wine contains sulfites. This leads many people to conclude, often falsely, that the sulfites are the culprit behind the headaches. Sulfites are actually more apt to produce an asthma attack rather than a headache.
Two More Stops in Santa Barbara
Wineries of the middle and southern Central Coast of California are mostly casual visits and offer a very down to earth experience. Many are small family operations with simple tasting rooms. This may well be attributable to the late development of wineries in the area. It was not until the 1980s that viticulture took off here. In 1970, there were only 171 acres of grapes in Santa Barbara County. By 1998, there were 16,500 acres generating great revenue.
Last week, I talked about our visit to Jonata. During our day of wine tasting, we also visited Stolpman Vineyards and Beckmen Vineyards. Both are examples of family wineries making a mark in the Santa Barbara area.
A Visit to Santa Barbara and a Stop at Jonata Wines
How many of you saw the movie Sideways? It was the movie that literally spurred sales of Pinot Noir and seriously dampened the sales and tarnished the reputation of Merlot. It was filmed in the wine region of Santa Barbara. For those who recall, it really did have an impact on the region and the sale of these two varietals. Having had many great Merlots, I don’t share the sentiments expressed about Merlot in the movie, but Sideways is a fun flick.
Santa Barbara is an area located on California’s Central Coast, and it is beautiful. It is two hours north of Los Angeles. It has a local airport, and you can fly in without a long drive. The coast here runs generally east to west, contributing to smaller microclimates where different varietals flourish. In the northern region, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir prosper, as it is a more maritime climate. In the southern region, you travel easterly, and this produces hotter days and cooler nights. Bordeaux and Rhone varietals flourish in the more extreme climate. The benefit of this region is that you can explore many grape varieties without leaving one area.
A Taste of Howell Mountain
There are many great events to attend in Napa Valley. Last week, I wrote about the Auction Napa Valley (more about that below), which happened in early June. This week, I want to share about the annual “Taste of Howell Mountain,” which we attended just yesterday.
One of my favorite AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in Napa Valley is Howell Mountain. It is in the Vaca Range on the east side of Napa Valley. It occupies a volcanic plateau and looks across the valley to the Mayacamas Range on the west side. The AVA itself starts at an elevation of 1400 feet and ranges up to 2000 feet. The grapes in these vineyards ripen slowly; and, because they are above the fog line, are drenched in sun for many hours of the day.
While I could go on about the wines, another notable characteristic is the generosity of the winery owners themselves. Many partake and give much to the Napa Valley Vintners Auction, and they band together for “Taste of Howell Mountain” to raise money for the Howell Mountain Elementary School.
No “Ice Wine” at Auction Napa Valley
I am having dinner at a restaurant in ______ City (full name is being withheld to protect the guilty!). I just saw the gentleman sitting in a nearby booth take his spoon, take ice cubes out of his water glass, and put them in his glass of red wine! Oh my, oh my – what to do?? Oh, well – nothing to do but continue working to help people enjoy the beauty of wine. He has to have it his way.
Such a contrast in places. Spending a week in Napa Valley is another world. The Auction Napa Valley was a huge hit this year with record-breaking results. Over three days, the total amount raised for area charities was $16.9 Million. This was a phenomenal result.
Let’s Make It “Crystal” Clear!
Auction Napa Valley got off on a surprise note for me this year. I received an invitation to attend a special tasting at Miner Family Winery on Thursday evening. It was a seminar led by Georg Riedel. Yes, the glassmaker. He is the 10th generation of the family that started the revolution of utilizing the right shape for the right varietal. Riedel is family-owned and operated. They are recognized world-wide for their design of glasses and decanters to maximize the enjoyment of wine and spirits.
Napa’s Big Event: Auction Napa Valley
We’re coming up on the first weekend in June, and that means one thing in Napa Valley — Auction Napa Valley is about to get underway! This is one of the biggest wine events in the country (maybe the world?) and one of my favorite events in Napa Valley each year. Auction Napa Valley is the annual charitable fundraiser for the Napa Valley Vintners. Last year alone, Auction Napa Valley raised over $8 million for charitable causes.
A Final Pass through Paso
If you ever get to Paso Robles, you must visit the tasting room of Brian Benson. Again, being in Paso, the star here is Rhone Varietals. The wines are deep, rich and intense. Brian is the owner and winemaker at Brian Benson. He started making wine with his father at a very young age. He worked part time on the weekends learning the craft; and, at the age of 12, made his first wine. Back then, his first wine was a Cabernet. He became the full time assistant winemaker for his father at Dark Star Cellars in 2000. At the age of 19, he started making his own wines with an initial investment of less than $2000. His success has only grown from there.
Paso Pleasures
Spending a weekend in Paso Robles can be quite rewarding. The downtown is quaint and has very fine restaurants. The hotel where we stayed, the Hotel Cheval, is wonderful. One block off the square with excellent accommodations, you can rest and recoup from a long day of wine tasting.
One notable difference in this area is the set up of the wine tastings. This is a young and growing area, so the emphasis on wine education during the tastings is in its infancy, as contrasted with Napa. The heart of what you get in Paso is good wine that is well-priced and a very relaxed atmosphere. You do not have caves and the established wine tours that are available in Napa Valley; yet the low-key, relaxed approach is really quite enjoyable.
Don’t Pass by Paso…
Paso Robles is a quaint town situated off the central coast of California. There are now hundreds of wineries in this region putting out some very well-structured, quality Rhone varietals. There are delicious reds and whites that make a trip to this town very worthwhile.