We develop a joint framework linking the physical variance and its risk neutral expectation implying variance risk premia that are persistent, appropriately reacting to changes in level and variability of the variance and naturally satisfying the sign constraint. Using option market data and realized variances, our model allows to infer the occurrence and size of extreme variance events, and construct indicators signalling agents sentiment towards future market conditions. Our results show that excess returns are to a large extent explained by fear or optimism towards future extreme variance events and only marginally by the premium associated with normal price fluctuations.