O’ What A Night: Healing a Hangover

In Poland, pickle juice is the answer. Residents near the Mexican border lean towards spicy remedies. And there are many who say a good old fashioned Bloody Mary is just the right hair of the dog to bite you the day after. Of course, I am talking about the endless supply of allegedly foolproof remedies for your worst hangovers.

Most fascinating in all the literature that abounds on this subject is the wholesale agreement that no one has an unequivocal reason for why we get hangovers in the first place and why some remedies work for some, but not others.  Certainly, “experts” agree that dehydration is problematic after an occasion of significant drinking, and most would agree that extreme drinking diminishes electrolytes and other vitamins and minerals that help one’s body work better, especially the liver in eliminating the overabundance of alcohol. But suggestions can range from bed rest to as much exercise as one can muster.  From avoiding things that exacerbate dehydration (e.g., caffeine, salt and more alcohol) to imbibing in exactly those things.  So, what’s one to do after the office holiday party that wouldn’t end? The pre-pre-pre-pre-pre-New Year’s Eve Fest? Or the remarkably genius idea of a sparkling wine tasting with 15 varieties on New Year’s Day?

Consider the following a Hangover Relief primer of sorts, with what seemed like the best advice circulating on the Web and with a wee bit of science to substantiate the claims.

1.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Wine, beer and cocktails all come in liquid form, yet none of them hydrate you, and in fact, they all work to DE-hydrate you.  As you consume more alcohol and have less water in your bloodstream – no surprise – the effects of alcohol intensify. Accordingly, one of the recurring themes to preventing and treating hangovers is to consume water at the same rate as alcohol – one for one. The water improves alcohol metabolism and just gets your body back to normal faster.  Even drinking water before you go to bed can minimize the pain the next day, supposedly.

2.  Electrolytes and vitamin C. So, you’ve got the shakes after a heavy night at the wine bar.  Experts say most likely your body has depleted minerals and electrolytes that make it work better.  Drinking a sports drink, juice or a vitamin- and mineral-rich smoothie can help minimize that achy, sick feeling that can ruin a day after, which is good to know when you have football games to watch or even more parties to attend.

3.  Oh, my achin’ head! The first instinct we have when dealing with a hangover-induced monster headache is to reach for the ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin.  Unfortunately, while these over-the-counter pain relievers may seem helpful at first, they can pose additional problems, especially as we get older and try to drink as much as when we were younger.  Ibuprofen and aspirin are particularly hard on the gastrointestinal system and that side effect is exacerbated significantly when alcohol is in the body, potentially inciting gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.  Acetaminophen metabolizes through the liver, which is already overtaxed from alcohol, making it even harder for the liver to flush through the badness from the night before and return to its cheerful, happy state.

4.  Hair of the Dog. My husband swears by this remedy, saying a beer the morning after an evening of overindulgence re-opens the blood vessels so everything can run smoothly again.  While I didn’t find scientific evidence of my husband’s theory, many swear by this remedy.  Unfortunately, most experts say it just delays flushing all the alcohol from one’s body, which is necessary to feel truly better again.

5. Eat and Relax.  When in need of nutrients, eat.  That’s what experts seem to say, and if you have a steady enough stomach for it, then perhaps the secret lies in comfort.  Around the world, various cultures have their own ideas of  “comfort food,” and that’s what we apparently seek out during a hangover. In many Asian countries, they turn to noodles.  Brits are partial to a hearty breakfast of fried eggs and sausage.  Many Americans swear by the greasiness of a local burger place, or mom’s chicken soup.  Mexicans love their spicy menudo soup.  Interestingly, though some of these comfort foods aren’t the healthiest, they make us feel better regardless.  And isn’t that what it’s all about?  Feeling better.

Happy New Year!  Wishing you a healthy and happy 2011!

 

Be Inspired!

We’ve all been there. It’s your 10th anniversary, Father’s Day, or a dinner with friends that reminds you the perfect wine would make the occasion so much better. You arrive at the wine store, overwhelmed by the vast selection, some unfamiliar varietals, and creative wine labels that all seem to speak to you. The result: you leave with the same wine you always buy. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you buy the wine store clerk’s favorite after a sip or two from a plastic cup.

Now is the time to find some inspiration — thus Hinsdale Cellars’ Inspired Wine Club. Each month after tasting bottles upon bottles, our team selects a pair of fine wines that are “off the beaten path,” delicious and undoubtedly special. And these aren’t just wines tasted in the comfort of our store here. From trips to Argentina and other places abroad, we return with great wines and information that we freely share. Our goal is to make your own wine exploration easier as we introduce exciting, new wines that expand your repertoire and are ready when the occasion calls.

Afterall, isn’t that what the love of wine is all about? Discovery – experiencing new terroirs, new grapes, new regions, and new countries. It’s learning how, for example, a pinot noir from California can differ from one in France or Germany. It’s taking that first sniff of a rich Malbec/Cabernet blend and instantly transporting to Mendoza Valley. It’s the cold, crisp Provencal Rosé that provides the relaxation to an August picnic when the humidity is trying to chase you back indoors.

Apparently, this area has many impassioned wine explorers like us. Our wine club is the largest in the Chicago area, boasting more than 400 members. That translates into even more buying power for us to find better wines and get better values. Consistently, we can provide wines at a significant savings because we buy 100 cases at a time. For $34.95/month (no long-term contract required), members receive:

* Two fine wines each month, valued on average at $50 and selected through a rigorous tasting process

* Informative literature on Wine Club wines, including tasting notes and reviews

* Special discounts on the month’s wine, if you decide to buy more, and

* Special alerts on wine specials and store events.

* 6- and 12-month memberships are available, as well, at $209.70 and $419.40, respectively.

Wine is everywhere these days – even your local gas station – but it’s the local wine store, like Hinsdale Cellars with its Inspired Wine Club, which offers expertise and is most likely to introduce you to your next favorite wine.

For more information, come visit the store at 12 E. Hinsdale Ave., our Web site at http://www.hinsdalecellars.com or call us at 630.654.9862.

 

Hinsdale Cellars Wine Club Letter March 2009

Spring is in the air!

Spring is a time of change – to say goodbye to all of the snow and cold weather and welcome in sunshine and flowers. A time when everything is constantly altering; trees come to bloom, the grass becomes green again, and those rabbits pop up on your front lawn again. Sometimes it seems all of these changes occur at a snail’s pace, but we at Hinsdale Wine Shop hope you take the time to enjoy these transformations. We have two offerings for you this month. The first, Three Saints Cabernet, will help you at the beginning of the month when it is still cold and snowing. The second selection for the month is the fresh, crisp Cote Est, a white wine to welcome spring.

2007 Domaine Lafage Cote Est, Catalan
90 Points Robert Parker

Cote Est is a the work of two magnificent wine makers, Eric Soloman and Jean-Marc Lafage. Combining Solomon’s expertise of Spanish grape varietals and Jean-Marc’s passion for French wine making is what makes this wine so special. The composition is 60% Grenache Blanc and Gris, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Marsanne. It has a fragrant nose of toasted grains, almond extract, pineapple, and citrus. This light-bodied white has a smooth, honey-like consistency, prominent floral flavor, and smoky finish. It would pair exquisitely with seafood – shrimp, scallops, and any white fish, such as halibut or snapper. This wine is ready to be savored within the next several years.

2005 Three Saints Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley

Three Saints Cabernet comes from Star Lane Vineyard, located on the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley. Winemaking at Star Lane always follows the Bordeaux style, with long maturation processes and warm fermentation methods. This particular Cabernet is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec. This delectable fruit bomb has flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, and plum. You can detect a dark fruit aroma, with hints of mocha and sage. This red is rich, with a medium body and profound structure. It would be delicious with most beef, duck, or heavy pork dishes. It would also pair well with more stronger pasta dishes. This wine is drinking great now and will reach it’s peak with 4-5 years of aging.

Interested in joining the wine inspired? Click here to read about our 6 month and 12 month memberships.

 

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