Wine Can Enhance Your Listening Experience

Music has been a big part of my life for many years. I have a
fond appreciation for different styles of music, much like I have a
fond appreciation for different styles of wine. This parallel made
me think about how one could pair wine with music, as we pair wine
with food.
Music has been a big part of my life for many years. I have a fond appreciation for different styles of music, much like I have a fond appreciation for different styles of wine. This parallel made me think about how one could pair wine with music, as we pair wine with food.

Two recent events helped bring about this revelation.

The first was a fundraiser concert that was organized two weeks ago to benefit St. Joseph’s Family Center, the wonderful nonprofit I work for in my spare time. I called on a friend of mine from college, Brad Colerick, to come perform some tracks off his new CD, “Cottonwood.” The second event was when I went with a friend to go see Damien Rice, an eclectic folk singer from Ireland, at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

Both of these artists poured their souls into deeply personal songs that touch the audience. It was as if we could feel the pain, happiness, love and loss that the artist has gone through – experiencing life and shaking us at our own emotional cores.

How can you not enjoy an evening that contains warm summer breezes, majestic sunsets, good food, great wine and the company of friends?

I thought I would break down some popular genres of music and pair them with popular styles of wine. My goal is to match the music’s intensity, history and evolution with that of the wine.

Blues/Rock/R&B

When you think of meat and potatoes, think of the blues and rock ‘n’ roll. The music is fueled by rhythmic progressions that often stay with the song from start to finish. A wine that fits this type of music is cabernet sauvignon. Strong, resilient, transcendent at times, Old World cabernet sauvignon makes me think of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Motown and Muddy Waters. The wine, like the music, can be timeless. New World cabernet is young and energetic, ready to drink and ready to go. This makes me think of U2, Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Country

Country, from Patsy Cline to Johnny Cash to the Dixie Chicks, is all about the great outdoors (except when Cash was singing about Folsom Prison). Chardonnay fits this genre like a hand in a glove. There are so many styles under one umbrella.

Patsy Cline’s bittersweet singing reminds me of Old World chardonnay, simple and restrained.

New World chardonnay can be controversial, with malolactic fermentation and other manipulations, just like the Dixie Chicks.

Jazz

The unique character of pinot noir is redolent of the one musical form indigenous to the United States – jazz. Like pinot, jazz at one moment can be delicate and mellifluous, while at other turns it’s complex and angular. The temperamental and difficult process of cultivating pinot noir, which eventually leads to its brilliance, is reminiscent of many jazz musicians’ music.

One needs look no further than the musical legacies and lives of jazz legends Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Charles Mingus. Pop open a bottle of pinot and put on Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” and you will know exactly what I am talking about.

International/World Beat

This category covers a lot of ground, just like syrah covers the globe. The important presence of syrah in France, Australia, Africa, the United States and many other countries makes this an international varietal. It may be spelled differently, pronounced differently and the different hemispheres will influence the style of syrah, but don’t worry about a thing. One love, one heart, one grape.

Classical

Probably the genre I am the least familiar with, but still something I enjoy whenever I am around it. It lingers in the background of movies, cartoons and theater productions. Take it away and the entertainment value drops dramatically. That’s why I’ll pair this music with sauvignon blanc. Sweet, understated, intricate and captivating. 

Rap/Hip-Hop

Daring in its infancy, but even still today, rap and hip-hop have evolved by melding many styles of music to create one of the biggest phenomenons in pop culture over the last 25 years. What better way to celebrate than popping a few bottles of champagne. Grab some Cristal (Korbel for my budget) put on your bling, jump in the stretch Navigator with your homies and head to the clubs. Dr. Dre, the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Missy Elliot and Public Enemy will come along for the ride. YeeaaHHH!

Folk/Easy Listening

Many people will not admit they enjoy folk or easy listening music, just like they will not admit to liking merlot. Folk music is approachable, soft and easy going – just like merlot. We always give ourselves away by tapping our feet to the music, singing in our cars or humming that tune we heard in the elevator all day. Melodic and appealing, merlot can put you in a good mood just like a song from James Taylor.

If your musical experimentation leads you no further than Michael Bolton and Yanni, grab yourself a four-pack of Bartles & James. No, better make that two four packs.

Rock on!