Perfect Pairings Part Trois: Mind Body Soul Wine?

I know you’ve heard me say this a zillion times over in blogs past, but I truly mean it when I say ‘A Sommelier’s Life is never short of Exciting.’  A truly amazing career that allows me to connect with a different group of people on a nightly basis.  From the cooking/wine classes I teach at Cooks of Crocus Hill, the personally catered in home and corporate wine tasting parties I facilitate, to my one on one wine lessons – the arena of folks wanting to learn that much more about wine, is always a new invigorating group of wine drinkers.  Coming from every background and certainly every profession, I find myself connecting with some of the coolest people I’ve met in my career.  The best part about it is, most of them end up becoming wonderful friends of mine in my everyday life.  This, I assume, will be the case of today’s guest blogger, Ms. Jennifer Mergen. 
I met Jennifer at an event a few weeks back.  We got to chatting about cool professions in life and how so many of them connect the intricate relationships between  people and everyday life.  With that said, Jennifer soon thereafter revealed that she was a  nationally certified hypnotist.  With an unbelievable way of inviting folks to share her space, her positive energy and uplifting personality allowed for an open and fabulous discussion between the two of us.  Sharing conversation behind the connectivity of wine/food/friends and how it all ‘pairs’ to everyday life – I quickly realized that I needed her services!  I have always read and heard through many that have experienced hypnosis that it can help to break alot of habits.  I knew if I had one shot at breaking  my very horrible life-long habit of nail-biting, she’d be the one to help.  Long story short and with fabulous success after my first session with Jennifer, and with an anniversary of just two weeks today!, I can say – I am have not bitten my nails once.  A fabulous journey of discovering what one has control over and how to create more positive energy for myself and others. 
With all that shared, today, I am happy to say – Jennifer is our guest on the Amusée CrushPad – adding to our list of personal experiences with wine and its direct correlation to this thing we call:  Perfect Pairings.   I couldn’t resist asking if she’d share her experiences with wine in a post after our conversations, as I knew she’d be a perfect addition to our series. 

Is it cherry or black currant?  Bandage or sweaty socks?  Could I ever know the difference?  Recently I realized I don’t have to!

In my career as a Hypnotist, Inspirational Trainer and Motivational Speaker , I teach people that life is all about perception – how you choose to interpret any given situation in your life bears a direct effect on your enjoyment.  At a recent event lead by Sommelier Leslee Miller of Amusée , I realized that just like everything in life, even wine, is all about perception!

Sure, in wine there may be undertones that exist that are an absolute part of the region and the climate and conditions under which the grape was grown.  But it’s not like there’s actually sweaty socks or black currants in any wine.  Those are all matters of perception.

As we swirled the fine reds (sure to hold the glass from the stem, to fully enjoy and slow the experience of justly enjoying the art in the wine) I watched the legs slide down the bowl.  I had preconceived ideas about what “good legs” meant, but as we moved to the final wine of the evening, my personal favorite of the selections, something clicked in my mind.

I did not like this wine because it had thicker legs than the other wines. I did not like it because it was described as “soft juicy tannins, backed up with hints of vanilla and blueberries” or because it was aged in French oak for 14 months.

I chose this wine as my favorite of the evening for one very important reason; it tasted good on my palate!

In Leslee’s vast intelligence, she understands the importance of a blind tasting.  The importance of allowing the palate and the mind to decide what is best without the outside influences (for myself and many others, these typically are the variety, a pretty bottle and the price tag).

I am certain I would never have chosen the 2008 Rust en Vrede  Merlot from Stellenbosch, South Africa in a retail setting.  In my opinion the (label of the) bottle is pretty boring, $17.99 is a price point I typically do not pay attention to and I had not chosen to drink a Merlot in about 5 years (most recently Cabs & Malbecs have been more to my liking).  But when I allowed my palate to choose, I realized how limiting traditional methods of selection can be. 

Look what I could have missed out on!

As we make decisions in life, we call upon our incredible minds to sift through the piles of memories and experiences and to tell us “yes, this is what you like”.  But to move beyond, to discover the new and even to achieve greatness, we must challenge our experiences.  We must stand up to what simply feels comfortable and rise above, risk the mysterious and taste from the cup of the unknown.

Close your eyes, open your mouth and taste the greatness that is waiting!

Thank you so much to Jennifer for sharing her Perfect Pairing Experience ~ Have more to say regarding your own Perfect Pairings? 

Share them here on the CrushPad and don’t forget to visit Jennifer’s Beauty of the Mind Blog ~ A Inspirational Read!