Those who embrace the concept of “linkage” are destined to enjoy multiple life experiences that are extremely enjoyable.
A good example of “linkage” involves music. It’s the late 1970s, and you’ve become a fan of Neil Young after hearing “Like a Hurricane” on the radio. Then you hear a song called “Long May You Run,” recognize one of the voices, and discover the song is a collaboration between Young and Stephen Stills.
You later discover that Stills and Young also were part of a band called Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young—and before that, in a band called Buffalo Springfield.
And just like that, based on hearing that first Neil Young song on the radio, you’ve become exposed to countless additional tunes…and performers…that you’ll likely enjoy for the rest of your life.
Using that concept with wine, you could begin with a visit to a winery in California’s Paso Robles region, and end up at a restaurant in France’s southern Rhone Valley.
First stop: Tablas Creek Winery, located on the west side of Paso Robles. It’s a partnership between importer Robert Haas and France’s Perrin family.
Through “linkage,” we learn that the Perrins have been making wine in France for five generations, and that they’re the family behind the famed Chateau de Beaucastel in France’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape region.
But the “linkage” doesn’t end there. Remember that southern Rhone restaurant we mentioned? It’s called L’Oustalet, located in an historic house in the center of Gigondas at Place de la Marie. And it’s owned by the Perrin family.
At L’Oustalet, one could enjoy a lunch of grilled pork with spinach, potatoes, porcini mushrooms and sauce, accompanied by a bottle of wine from Chateau de Beaucastel…or perhaps a bottle of Domaine du Clos des Tourelles Gigondas.
And even if you opted for the latter bottle, the “linkage” would not be broken. The Perrin family acquired that domaine several years ago.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless, whether one uses “linkage” to explore the wonderful world of music or the wonderful world of wine. Here’s hoping the concept opens up some new doors of discovery for you.
Meanwhile, long may you run…
