Kristine Hansen

2009's hottest wine stories

2009-12-22T13:17:00.002-06:00

For Slashfood.com, and just before the year 2009 wraps, I wrote about the year's hottest wine stories: http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/22/the-year-in-wine

Philanthropic Wineries

2009-12-22T10:35:00.002-06:00

For Slashfood.com, in the season of giving, I suggest three really cool, philanthropic wineries to support. http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/21/philanthropic-wineries/

knitting and wine

2009-12-14T11:03:00.001-06:00

I was able to write about two of my passions -- knitting and wine -- for a story that published on Wine Enthusiast's web site. You can read it here: http://tiny.cc/vWOYt

local food movement

2009-11-23T16:43:00.001-06:00

I had a lot of fun chatting with owners of coffee shops around the country to see what kinds of dairy and food products they source from local farms and growers. It's the cover story in the November 2009 issue of Fresh Cup Magazine: www.freshcup.com.

what wine to drink on Thanksgiving?

2009-11-23T16:16:00.001-06:00

For Slashfood.com, I suggest 10 Thanksgiving wines for under 10 bucks. Read all about my picks here: http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/23/thanksgiving-wine-pairings/

What to pair with Prosecco?

2009-11-23T10:51:00.002-06:00

Prosecco is one of my favorite sparkling wines and so I was thrilled to offer food-pairing suggestions for Slashfood.com. You can read my suggestions here: http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/10/prosecco-pairings-for-thanksgiving/

a new palate-cleansing beverage

2009-11-10T09:48:00.002-06:00

For Wine Enthusiast's Dec. 1, 2009, issue I wrote a fun piece on San Tasti, a sparkling beverage that's designed to cleanse your palate -- perfect for tasting many wines within a short period of time.

the gold-party trend

2009-11-10T09:42:00.002-06:00

In this struggling economy, there is one thing you can get a lot of money for and that's gold! For the Nov. 7, 2009, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel I report on two companies that organize gold parties in private homes: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/69415797.html

post on Chateau Petrus

2009-11-10T08:34:00.002-06:00

For Slashfood.com, I wrote a short piece about why bottles of Chateau Petrus are in such high demand: http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/09/chateau-petrus/

my new blogging gig!

2009-11-03T21:25:00.001-06:00

I am pleased to announce that I recently started writing about wine for AOL's food/drinks site, Slashfood.com. My first post went up today, about Crémant, which is a fabulous French bubbly, and you can read it here: http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/03/cremant-wine-of-the-week/

Toronto's Fashion District

2009-10-15T14:26:00.002-05:00

During my October 2008 visit to Toronto I stumbled upon the city's Fashion District. Oh my! What a cool little 'hood. You can read all about it in the October 15, 2009, issue of American Way, which is American Airlines' inflight magazine: http://www.americanwaymag.com/fashion-design-council-of-canada-rebecca-nixon-silk-screen-apparel-artist-the-drake-hotel-1

-Kristine

surfing schools

2009-10-07T14:42:00.002-05:00

I had a lot of vicarious fun with this article where I sifted through dozens of surf schools around hte world to come up with a list of the best. (But I also tried a few in my previous travels.) Read the results in the October 1, 2009, issue of American Way (American Airlines' inflight magazine): http://www.americanwaymag.com/surfing-california-loews-costa-rica-suruff-camp-1

Danny Meyer interview

2009-10-07T14:41:00.001-05:00

In today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel I interview Danny Meyer about his brand-new restaurant in Gramercy Park Hotel opening soon (hint: it's Italian-themed) and other stuff. Read it here: http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/63569597.html

beer for breakfast?

2009-10-07T14:37:00.002-05:00

That's the deal at some restaurants, where beer is folded into the pancake batter and included on the breakfast menu. In the November 2009 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine I let you know where to find these places -- The Wit Hotel (Chicago), Pelican Pub & Brewery (Pacific City, Oregon), Rogues Ales' restaurant and bar (Portland, Oregon) and Farringdon Bistro Pub (Summerville, S.C.).

Carlyn Berghoff and fall hiking

2009-09-18T22:47:00.003-05:00

This week I've published two stories in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: an interview with Carlyn Berghoff about continuing her family's restaurant in Chicago (now called Cafe Berghoff) and a story about fall hikes (plus tips on what types of shoes/boots, water containers and packs are best).

drinking from the top of the city

2009-09-18T22:25:00.003-05:00

For this article on Wine Enthusiast's web site, I had a lot of fun reaching into my memory bank and also talking to friends about the best rooftop bars around the world. Here, I write about a few:
http://tiny.cc/ddaxN. Now who is up for a moonlit glass of Malbec some evening?

Back-to-school movies

2009-09-15T11:28:00.002-05:00

Read my story in the September 15, 2009, issue of American Way about back-to-school movies. http://www.americanwaymag.com/john-keating-captain-back-to-school-wellesley-college-1

This was a fun "assignment" (ha ha, get it?)!

-Kristine

two articles in Wine Enthusiast's October 2009 issue

2009-09-10T11:50:00.001-05:00

For the October 2009 issue of Wine Enthusiast, I've got two articles in the book: an interview with Wayne Gretzky (aside from being a retired hockey player he owns No. 99 Estates Winery in Ontario, Canada), and info on four eco lodges in Central America that pour awesome wines.

interview with Stephanie Izard

2009-08-27T08:07:00.001-05:00

Stephanie Izard, who won season four of Top Chef, is getting ready to not only open a restaurant in Chicago (Drunken Goat) but she's also working with winemakers out in Washington to develop some wines. I interviewed her for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/54784892.html

articles in Garden Design, Milwaukee Magazine and Wine Enthusiast

2009-08-25T13:49:00.002-05:00

For Wine Enthusiast's September 2009 issue, I wrote about how to host a literary feast, taking novels like Bento Box in the Heartland: My Japanese Girlhood in Whitebread America (Seal Press 2006), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Vintage 2008) and Atonement (Anchor 2006) and suggesting wine and food pairings.

For Garden Design's July/August 2009 issue, I had the pleasure of chatting with Clover Chadwick, owner of Dandelion Ranch, a very chic (it's inside a barn in the middle of L.A.!) floral shop and design studio.

And finally, for Milwaukee Magazine's September 2009 issue, which features an awesome cover story about beating the recession (if you're local, check it out for some little-known money-saving tips on local attractions/entertainment), I wrote a fun short about Barbie's connections to Wisconsin. Did you know that she was born in the fictitious North Woods town of Willows, Wisconsin?

-Kristine

need some espresso-making tips?

2009-08-14T08:26:00.003-05:00

I had a blast sitting down with Scott Lucey, barista trainer at Alterra Coffee Roasters in Milwaukee, and also 2009 Great Lakes Barista Champ. He also placed third in this year's U.S. Barista Competition.

You can read the interview in the August 2009 issue of Milwaukee Magazine.

Asian cooking

2009-08-12T08:20:00.002-05:00

In today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel I interview Pat Tanumihardja, author of an upcoming book featuring Asian grandmothers and their recipes. Read it here: http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/52964812.html

-Kristine

Inspiration help in The Writer Magazine

2009-08-03T16:51:00.003-05:00

The August 2009 issue of The Writer contains a short piece I wrote about how to find inspiring color names when writing fiction. I suggest looking at what house paints and artist's paints are named. While the article is not available on the magazine's web site (www.writermag.com), I highly recommend perusing the web site as there are links to many other helpful articles that appear in the magazine.

Bungalow Revival

2009-07-29T21:05:00.003-05:00

For REALTOR, the magazine for the National Association of Realtors, I wrote about my favorite housing style -- bungalows -- and how they are making a comeback. Read all about it here: http://www.realtor.org/rmohome_and_design/architecturecoach/articlearchive/0908_architecturecoach_bungalows?presentationtemplate=rmo-design/pt_articlepage_v1_print&presentationtemplateid=1b18c0004a12c9a4b7e1ffbdd1ec736f

need travel tips for Pittsburgh?

2009-07-15T16:18:00.002-05:00

Then look no further than the city's residents! For the July 15, 2009, issue of American Way (the inflight magazine for American Airlines), I talked with some of Pittsburgh's movers and shakers about the best places to hang out. Read the results here: http://www.americanwaymag.com/nfls-pittsburgh-steelers-bill-flanagan-ryan-mundy-lindsay-patross-1

organic baking: mmmmm!

2009-07-15T16:08:00.002-05:00

For today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel I chatted with Sarah Magid, a custom-cake decorator and baker in Brooklyn, N.Y., who is a fan of using organic ingredients. Her new book, Organic and Chic: Cakes, Cookies, and other Sweets that Taste as Good as they Look, tells you just how to make them!

Read my interview with her at: http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/50755177.html

touring Milwaukee's beers

2009-07-07T09:02:00.003-05:00

Milwaukee is considered the "city of beer" for its many microbreweries -- all of which produce beer of excellent quality. For Wine Enthusiast's web site, and to coincide with this year's Summerfest (the world's longest-running and largest music festival), I wrote about how to taste your way through the city's breweries. http://www.winemag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=48AEE06B2A1E469783008B2C2FDF6227

two celebrity chef interviews

2009-06-01T12:59:00.000-05:00

I recently interviewed two chefs for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gale Gand (http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/45414362.html) and Hubert Keller (http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/46095282.html).

Vacations That Make A Difference

2009-05-04T12:31:00.001-05:00

When I traveled to Honduras in April of 2008, I came across a lodge called Pico Bonito that allows its guests to interact with the community. Fascinated, I found a few more examples around the world and wrote about them for Razoo.com. You can read the article here: http://www.razoo.com/articles/Voluntourism

Road Trips to Read About

2009-05-04T11:20:00.001-05:00

For American Way, which is the inflight magazine of American Airlines, I've written about some travel-related memoirs that take place on the open road. Check out the article here, in the May 1, 2009, issue: http://www.americanwaymag.com/head-for-the-horizon-1

Glamping, anyone?

2009-05-04T10:25:00.002-05:00

Check out my story about El Capitan Canyon, a high-class camping property near Santa Barbara, California, in the April 2009 issue of Delta Sky: http://www.deltaskymag.com/Destinations/Los-Angeles/Destination-Posts/High-Class-Camping.aspx

eat and drink like the president

2009-01-14T07:32:00.002-06:00

For Wine Enthusiast's web site this month I've written a story about some of the special inauguration dinners around the country that chefs are organizing to celebrate president-elect Barack Obama. You don't have to be a dignitary to sit at these tables!

Read it here:
http://www.winemag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=9D2AC2931DDF4D9AB983585856CA198C

my freelancing tips in The Writer Magazine

2009-01-09T15:29:00.002-06:00

In the February 2009 issue of The Writer I talk about five tips to make sure your query (otherwise known as a story proposal or "pitch") stands out. Freelance writers get the bulk of their work by pitching editors at magazines, newspapers or other publications, and so having a colorful, dynamic and totally unique story idea in hand is what closes the sale -- especially when many writers like you are pitching the same editor.

There's no link to the article on the magazine's web site, but here is the table of contents: http://www.writermag.com/wrt/default.aspx?c=ci&id=54

writings for Fodors.com

2009-01-07T18:22:00.003-06:00

Staying in hotels and eating in restaurants is only one part of travel, of course, but for Fodors.com I covered those two topics in recent months. Here's a rundown.

Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley, Arizona
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3283.html

Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3228.html

Spice Route, Toronto
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3236.html

drink and eat to the recession!

2009-01-05T11:57:00.001-06:00

For Wine Enthusiast's web site, I wrote about how you can take advantage of imbibing and dining deals that are especially tailored to these poor economic times. If you're in L.A., San Francisco or New York City, there's a deal or two for you. Check out the article here:
http://www.winemag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=61E992AF735A4B92AB95436A5C41D0B3

Green Bay Packers & the Caribbean

2008-11-25T11:49:00.002-06:00

Okay, so last night's Packers game against the New Orleans Saints wasn't a good time if you were wearing green & gold. But don't fret because Packer Fan Tours brings die-hard fans to a far sunnier place once the season wraps. In the November 2008 issue of Milwaukee Magazine I write about a cruise where fans can mingle with current and former players. Now that's fun in the sun!

PS: You can also read about the cruise here: http://www.packerfantours.com/cruise/

celebrity winemaker

2008-11-24T14:25:00.004-06:00

When I heard that Kyle MacLachlan (you've seen him as "Trey" on Sex & the City and "Orson" on Desperate Housewives) was involved with a winery in his home state of Washington, I suggested to my editor that we interview him. She happily agreed and one afternoon I caught up with Kyle where we talked about his frequent trips back to Yakima, David Lynch and his infant son.

The interview is in the November 15, 2008 issue of Wine Enthusiast. To check out the wines, from Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla, Wash., visit www.dunhamcellars.com.

bikers and the law

2008-11-24T00:29:00.002-06:00

For a fun piece I wrote for Milwaukee Magazine a few months back, I interviewed local lawyer Michael Hupy about his advocacy work on behalf of motorcyclists. Read the article here, titled "Sidecar Counselor," which was published at around the time thousands of bikes roared into my city Labor Day weekend.

http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/insider/default.asp?NewMessageID=23989

tropical eateries in Milwaukee

2008-11-24T00:22:00.004-06:00

Just in case you're in Milwaukee and need a break from the chilly air this winter ... don't fear because I've got some recommendations for restaurants that will make you feel like you're somewhere else. Like the Caribbean. Or the Florida Keys.

In the Winter 2008 issue of Executive Living, a magazine supplement to the Business Journal of Milwaukee, my Dining Out column suggests Bosley on Brady, Edgar's Calypso and Good Life.

need a place to travel this holiday?

2008-11-23T19:46:00.004-06:00

For an article that published on FineLiving.com earlier this month, I spent a lot of time thinking about the best places to travel this winter where holidays are celebrated in high style. Whether it's snow-shoeing or ice skating right outside your room in a mansion before a hot-chocolate break; riding a sled down a sloping, snow-covered hill while carrying a torch; or -- if cold weather is your idea of a bad, bad holiday -- lounging under a palm tree with a fruity drink, here are some leads.

Read "Ten Places to Spend the Holidays" here: http://www.fineliving.com/fine/travel/article/0,,FINE_22196_5938767_01,00.html

new web site

2008-11-23T19:45:00.002-06:00

I've got a new web site now, so please point your browsers to www.kristineahansen.com. It's still a work in progress with new clips being added, but the basics are up and running!

underwater cameras round-up

2008-11-23T19:38:00.001-06:00

In preparation for a Western Caribbean cruise, I began to think about what tools I would need -- both as a vacationer and a travel writer. With plans to snorkel, it dawned on me that an underwater camera would be crucial if I wanted to show friends and family all the fish and coral underfoot. In the November 15, 2008 issue of American Way, the inflight magazine for American Airlines, I write about five camera models that are totally safe for underwater snapping. Read the article, titled "Water Babies," here (scroll down): http://www.americanwaymag.com/tabid/2855/tabidext/4283/default.aspx

welcome!

2008-11-23T19:23:00.000-06:00

If you follow my bylines you know that I get around the globe on assignments. I also enjoy reporting in my home state of Wisconsin -- whether it's spending time in the kitchen with a chef or documenting my travels around Milwaukee on a bicycle. Stay tuned to this blog for updates of what I'm up to.