December, 2005

Dear Wine Enthusiast,

Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza are upon us and so are the festive parties, celebrations, gatherings and get-togethers. It's the time of cheer, merriment and good wishes. With seasonal celebrations, the opportunities for 'over-indulgence' are many - over eating, over drinking, over talking and over-the-top-behaviour. At Cork and Karma, our profession often involves us in very 'festive' scenes. The feature article for this edition is, 'Holiday Hangover Relief' – one of our MOST commonly asked questions. It's true! And if you just happen to be one of those lucky people who does not suffer from this 'over-indulgence' thing, you should pass this newsletter along to someone who could benefit from it, though I'm sure you can't help but read a few lines....but just out of curiosity – of course!

2006 is looking to be a great year for Cork and Karma and we are well-prepared for what lies ahead with our new and improved website. Click on the links to the left and they will take you directly to our new list of services and other offerings. I hope you enjoy the easier navigation, new links and accessibility to information.

As always, I love to hear from my readers. Drop me a line with your comments or suggestions.

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We wish you a very happy holiday, wrapped up in prosciutto, stuffed with a date and served with any of my wine recommendations in the Wine Review section below.

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Cheers,
Sandi

HOLIDAY HANGOVER RELIEF

You're at a festive party, realize there are people there you could just as soon as never see again in your life, the libations are running freely, and hey, each one tastes better than the last. You over-indulge and next thing you know, you're telling your cousin off, you've eaten the entire bowl of pistachios, you've nearly polished off three martinis, a few glasses of wine and at least two quarts of Auntie Mae's cider-rum punch (it kicks you in the back of the head at least twice...per glass). The morning-after looks very, very grim my friend.

Over-indulgence, of the alcoholic kind, abounds at this time of year. I'm sure you have, at some point, experienced the bout of a hangover and sure enough, you vowed to never, ever go down that road again. Never, you say?

A hangover is, quite simply, your body's reaction to the toxins found in the alcohol. Remember, alcohol is a poison. That's why it's called 'intoxication.' Your body is protecting itself by producing enzymes that metabolize and remove the toxins from your body. But if the toxin levels exceeds your body's ability to metabolize them in an efficient manner, you will experience the classic symptoms of a hangover which may include headache, stomach irritation, vomiting and generally make you feel like ****!

The origin of the toxin is not known precisely, but many doctors believe it comes from the 'congeners' found in all alcohol. Congeners are toxic substances created during the alcohol fermentation process. When you drink alcohol of any kind, these toxins are dispersed throughout your system as your liver tries to breakdown the alcohol. The best defence against a hangover is to simply not 'over-indulge.' Easier said than done, right?

The level of congeners varies depending on the kind and quality of the alcohol you consume. For example, dark-coloured alcohols (whiskey, brandy, and red wine) have a higher concentration of congeners, while light-coloured alcohols (vodka, gin, and white wine) have a lower concentration. Inexpensive liquors also have a higher concentration of congeners because of their distillation process. These liquors usually don't have as rigorous or as thorough a distillation. In comparison, more expensive liquors often go through a higher standard of distillation and many are distilled more than once. This reduces the amount of congeners, thereby reducing their presence, and effects on, your body.

But what you really want to know – is there a cure? Besides abstinence, you have a few options:

Medicate

A common and proven method is to take either aspirin or ibuprofen before you begin to consume alcohol. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage and follow all instructions and directions for all medications. Remember, there are side effects to aspirin and ibuprofen (stomach bleeding, ulcers, etc.) so don't abuse these medications. But beware, not all pills are created equal. DO NOT take acetaminophen or Tylenol in combination with any alcohol. Acetaminophen reacts with alcohol, creating harmful chemicals that can damage your liver.

Once home, you should also consider taking a multivitamin to help replenish your body with essential B-vitamins which help break down the alcohol.

Hydrate

Alcohol, like caffeine, is a diuretic (makes your visits to the washroom more frequent) and makes your already-dry mouth feel like cardboard. The key is to drink plenty of water before, during and after alcohol consumption. However, just chugging back a large volume of water before drinking won't do any good either - it will just get flushed out of your system. The key is consistent drinking of water over a long period of time. It may not be the most convenient or look the most sophisticated, but you will appreciate the advice the next morning. And, it won't hurt to keep water by your bedside once you go to bed...just in case (assuming you make it to your bed).

Nourish

Drinking on an empty stomach is a sure-fire way to frequent 'toilet cradling.' Eating will supply needed electrolytes to your body to aid in the breakdown of those toxins and prevent dehydration. Eating also decreases the amount of alcohol that enters the bloodstream. Drink with a full stomach and, by all means, eat during consumption – never stray far from the buffet table.

Remember: avoid caffeine (it adds no benefit, and will only interfere with your ability to fall asleep) and mixing drinks (for those who mix, it will double your fix – the hangover fix that is!)


If, by chance, all this fails, you may want to visit these two sites that boast the 'cure all' hangover pill: www.hangovercure.com or www.hangoversolutions.com

Here's wishing your holidays are 'hangover free'!

WINE REVIEWS
Wine Scores
90-100, wines of exceptional quality for its class
80-90, wines of above average quality for its class
70-80, wines of average quality for its class

If a six digit product code is present, use this code to locate the wine on the SAQ.com website (see sidebar for details)
All prices in CDN dollars

Having turkey this holiday season? Any of these wines will match well!

WHITES

The Little Penguin, Chardonnay, Australia, 2005, $13.95, 10342311
Touch of oak and fruit 88/100.

Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2005, $17.15, 10327701
Unbelieveable tropical fruit nose with a touch of sweetness. Equally as rewarding on the palate 94/100.

Dancing Bull, Sauvignon Blanc, Rancho Zabaco, California, 2004, $15.95, 10351306
Crisp, mineral, easy drinking wine with unripe fruit 89/100.

REDS

The Little Penguin, Merlot, Australia, 2005, $13.95, 10342389
Sweet fruit with high alcohol. No fuss, no muss wine. 87/100.

Angus the Bull, Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, $17.95
Awesome fruit bomb wine made to be matched with Angus cuts of beef - but turkey will do. Lot of flavour 95/100.

Vinha Grande, Casa Ferreirinha, Douro, Portugal, 2002, $19.95, 865329
Full flavoured ripe fruits, full-bodied, soft tannins, excellent 95/100.