August 21, 2021 | 3 min
Stress can trigger the body to hit overdrive and say, “Hey, why aren’t you listening to me?” Our protective nerve endings keep us away from harm, however, their repeated overstimulation can lead to dangerous outcomes. My recent lesson about nerves arrived in the form of red, itchy splotches covering my body. Coupled with incessant thoughts, anxiety frequently steals opportunities to experience the fullness of life, along with upsetting our well-being and peace.
Nerve endings can also generate amazingly positive responses in our bodies—think about how the taste of wine can heighten the experience of a meal. According to the Encyclopedia of Human Behavior, our taste buds are clusters of specialized receptor cells surrounded by nerve endings. While these clusters enjoy the treats we offer them, other nerve endings in our body often become overworked when anxiety spills in. To stimulate a parasympathetic response in our bodies—the nervous system responsible for rest and digestion–my inaugural post focuses on an effervescent Rosé with an amazing pink color to delight your senses and bring calm into the moment.
Our first visit to Benson Vineyards Estate Winery happened in early March 2021, when the vines were brown, and the crystal-clear view of Lake Chelan was framed with snow-capped mountains. In the relaxing setting, there were hints of new growth dotting the beautiful landscape. The air was brisk and breezy on the deck overlooking the vineyard, so Jake and I quickly claimed the outdoor fire pit to accompany our bottle of wine. On a coworker’s recommendation, we requested a tap-filled bottle of Benny Bubbles.
Bubbles. Bursting, refreshing bubbles, enticing you to sip away the past and experience the present joy. Brief fizzy marvels that quickly disintegrate into nothingness. Ignore the nearby patron who rebuffs the idea of bubbles in her Rosé and instead imagine the winemaker carefully incorporating the grape skin color to create this intensely pink wine. Allow the rosy splendor to spread to your taste buds and float your mind and body into a calm and lovely place. The Benny Bubbles we sampled were created from the 2019 Pinot Noir Rosé, which they charge in a keg and serve onsite.
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery is located on the warm north shore, in Washington’s Lake Chelan AVA. They harvest the grapes from the vineyard, right next to the tasting room, and move them swiftly into the production facility. Everything happens in one place, encapsulating all that is important to making wonderful wine.
Breathe. Listen. And delight your senses with this effervescent Rosé. There is nothing you must change or fix. Simply let yourself gently float with the bubbles.
— Ottilie Katz
Benny’s Bubbly Rose – https://bensonvineyards.com/ Benson Vineyards Estate Winery, 754 Winesap Avenue, Manson, Washington 98831, (509) 687-0313 x106.
If you want to learn more about Rosé in the wine market, I recommend the Wine Economist’s post at https://wineeconomist.com/2021/07/20/pink-power/
- Lake Chelan AVA
- Established 2009
- 301 acres under vine
- Varietals: syrah, merlot, malbec, riesling, gewürztraminer, chardonnay, pinot noir
- Touring note: with dazzling alpine scenery and mild climate, this AVA is anchored by a 1,486-foot-deep lake that’s 55 miles long.
- Source: Washington Wine Commission.
- AVA stands for American Viticultural Area
Zen of Wine Tasting 