By
Vic Poulos
Wine and music have always had a symphonic relationship. While teaching an adult education class on wine at UTEP many years ago, I tried an experiment. The class was being held at a local restaurant, and I poured each class member a glass of Gewurztraminer without telling them what the wine varietal was. Over the speaker system blared heavy rock and roll music and I pretended that I was having an issue with the staff finding the volume switches.
While the class tasted the wine, I asked each what they thought of the wine. Not so good was the general consensus.
Shortly after, I filled their wine glass with the exact same wine, again without telling the class what the wine varietal was: Gewurztraminer, again, from the same producer, vintage and bottle! With this pour, the music was switched to soft background “Frank Sinatra” music. When asked, 90 percent of the class loved this wine! The exact same wine, but with very different music in the background made the difference.
Music is often a background complement to wine tasting, but it needs to be something that does not distract you from the sensory ABCs of a good glass of wine. It’s impossible to enjoy the sensory aspects and broad tastes of wine when the wrong music is being played while you taste.
Walk into a country bar with a live band and enjoy the music, just don’t expect the wine list to be eclectic or deep. Perhaps ask for the beer list? Walk into a chain steakhouse, if the music is overwhelming, even though it is a steakhouse, the wines served will generally fall second to beer and cocktails, and will not be the long list of cabernet sauvignons you were longing for with a steak. Walk into a fine dining restaurant with low, soft background music and I can assure you that you will find a nicer wine list.
In short, the entryway music in any restaurant that you hear the second you walk in, will tell you what to expect with the quality of the wine list!
Wine and music have also developed a renewed relationship.
More and more music celebrities are becoming winemakers and owners of wineries. Just as certain musicians cross into acting, many musicians are also now trying their hand at becoming winemakers or winery owners— and to be honest, many are doing well!
As early as 1999 Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band purchased land from Blenheim Vineyards in Virginia. After significant renovations to the historic property, and handing over the reins to his brother Peter, who was educated in wine production, Matthews’ lineup of Cabernets and Chardonnays, while less expensive than attending a Dave Matthews Band concert, are actually good wines called “Dreaming Tree” ranging in price from $17 to $25.
Sting and his wife are in the process of restoring a wine estate near our wine resort Fattoria Svetoni in Tuscany. Look for Il Palagio on shelves in the U.S. for around $30 to $75.
Additionally, Snoop Dogg, teamed with wine brand 19 Crimes to launch a Rosé called “Snoop Dogg Cali Red,” locally available for around $20.
While country music and wine are perhaps not the best to enjoy together, Dolly Parton has a lineup of her own wines as well. Dolly Wines California Chardonnay at $14.99 is just arriving at stores. In partnership with Accolade Wines, Parton hopes to produce a Rosé, Prosecco and a Sparkling wine out of Australia and the U.K. in September.
In 2020, Mary J. Bilge collaborated with Fantinel Winery to release her “Sun Goddess Wine ” brand, featuring an Italian Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. You can find her wines at Total Wine. In cooperation with well known Raymond Vineyards of NAPA Valley, John Legend now produces his “John Legend Signature Series.”
Try to imagine a Rosé by the swimming pool launched by Post Malone called “Maison No. 9,” allegedly inspired by his love of the Mediterranean food and wine scene. While the list goes on and on, others such as Kylie Minogue (Proseco), Bon Jovi (Rosé), Nicki Minaj (Moscato) and other musical celebrities, are buying wineries and adding their own labels.
I buy wine for the wine varietal I want, not the music celebrity I like. But marketing works, and many music celebrities are truly trying to make quality wines. Some are not! You decide.
I suggest that everyone instead be a “moody drinker.”
Your mood should determine your wine choice as it does your music choice. If your mood is lively, then consider a lively wine, perhaps while listening to more lively music. Feeling serious, or having a long day and want time for reflection, grab a glass of Champagne or Sancerre in a quiet fine dining restaurant where you can actually enjoy the wine. Why not listen to soft music and reflect on life? Sounds like a great choice once in a while! Age, mood and music preference may impact your wine choices as it does your music choices.
Music, regardless of the type, should never be allowed to interfere with your enjoyment of the “look,” “smell,” “aerate,” and “taste” routine so essential to truly enjoying a wine!
Pick your wines and music accordingly!
Salud!
