The other night I was thinking about unusual wine pairings and immediately thought…why not pair wine with music or art or theatre? Art, in whatever form, brings you into a certain frame of mind. It either transports you to a different place and time or affects you on some emotional or sensory level. Why not see what affect sipping on a glass of wine while immersing yourself in a visual or auditory art form has on your level of enjoyment? Cool idea, right? I’m going to explore this over the next few months in a series of blogs called “Wine and Artistry”.
So, I’ll jump in with pairing wine and music. Music and wine are a perfect match. Both can be relaxing and restorative. I’m sure everyone has a differing opinion on what pairs well with which kind of music, so I’ll ask you to comment with your thoughts and experience. In this blog post, I’m pairing some of the artists and their music from the 1950’s and 1960’s. I’m not including movie and theatrical music…that’s for a later blog post.
So, here are my thoughts on the subject…
I’ll start with some older artists/songs from the 1950’s. First, there’s the one and only Frank Sinatra. I can’t help but think about his velvet voice and a nice Cabernet Sauvignon. Big and bold like Frank’s personality. Most of his music would be in perfect synchronization with a full-bodied Cab. I can picture myself sitting in front of a fire with a steak and a smooth, deep red Cabernet. As I sip, I close my eyes and feel the tannins playing on my tongue and lips…a perfect time to recall a romantic interlude. Ah Frank!
Then there’s Dean Martin. His music was in the same time frame as Frank but Dean had a different personality all together so, I’d go with a provocative Italian wine like a Chianti or Montepulciano. Dean had a voice that was soothing and smooth. An Italian red wine will bring you into a vineyard in Tuscany with Dean serenading you while you enjoy a plate of pasta. One of his most famous songs “Volaré” is definitely a winner when you are in a seductive mood for Italy and romanza!
Let’s move on to the music of the 1960’s and change up the wine a little bit. Wine is definitely about a mood and the mood of music from the 50’s to the 60’s is different. Rock and Roll was the new music, and my wine choices would reflect that change in mood. For me, the pure refection of the 60’s is the Beatles. There are many great songs in their songbook but the early 60’s songs are upbeat and danceable. So, when I listen to the early Beatles music, I’m dancing around my living room for sure. I’ll stop every once in a while to take a sip of a bright, crisp, tart Sauvignon Blanc. It’s cool, it’s refreshing, and it works perfectly with the up-tempo music that defined the early Beatles. So, since I love to dance, it’s the invigorating moments with the combination of the Beatles music and the Sauvignon Blanc that runs through my body and causes a collision of epic proportions! Long live the Beatles’ music and a cool Sauvignon Blanc!
In contrast to the Beatles, I’ll put forth for your consideration, the Beach Boys. Again, it’s upbeat music but with a beachy feel. So, for me, it’s all about Rosé. Imagine in your mind’s eye being on a white sandy beach in the bright sun and sipping a cold, crisp, fruity Rosé from the South of France. Even if it’s winter, when you listen to the Beach Boys you are transported to a place where you can smell an ocean air with undertones of coconut tanning lotion. If you’re not having a Piña Colada or some other cocktail defined by an ocean setting, do yourself a favor and reach for a Provencal Rosé. It has a salty, minerality that will pair perfectly with your Beach Boy tunes.
Join me in the next few months for more “Wine and Artistry” including music (1970’s to 2020’s), movies, theatre and dance. I’m excited about our new adventure in wine pairing.
Cheers!