A Series of Stories
Inspired By and About Wine

Christina Kelly Archive

Avalon Article Archive

“Wine, Women (And Men)
and Song”

By Christina Kelly

Trying to relax one night after work, I put on a couple of Bonnie Raitt CDs and proceeded to my wine cellar to select a bottle of wine.

It dawned on me that I selected wine, while listening to music, almost as carefully as I would pair wine with food. It’s never really been a conscious choice—the music seems to dictate the flavors in a wine I’d like to drink.

With Bonnie, I wanted an aged wine that suited the maturity of the music and the raspy, willow, longing of Raitt’s voice. I selected a Bordeaux blend that was smooth, mellow and layered—like listening to the nuances of the music and peeling away the subtle layers of the wine.

Once the light bulb in my head turned on, I thought about my wine and music choices and realized music does influence, more often than not, the selection of wine.

Think about it. When listening to the silky voice of a Kenny Rankin (an oldie but goodie), Sinatra, and other singers crooning classic ballads, I want the sleek, silky seductiveness of a great Pinot Noir to match the atmosphere. In my opinion, Pinot Noir is a wine for romance, or certainly the “want” of romance.

I listen to Nora Jones “Come Away With Me,” and I want a glass of Bergstrom or Belle Pente Pinot Noir. Jazz singer Diana Krall’s music begs for a bottle of Beaux Freres or Cristom Pinot.

It’s that sexy, silky texture of the wine that blends with the music, like grilled salmon with a Pinot Noir sauce; Humphrey Bogart showing Lauren Bacall how to whistle by putting your lips together; Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy finally acknowledging their affection in “Pride and Prejudice—those are as much Pinot Noir moments as listening to Sarah McLaughlin singing about chocolate.

Good Merlots always suggest to me acoustic guitar music, or pop tunes. Syrah inspires New Orleans jazz, a little bluegrass, or in the case of McCrea Cellars, a little Zydeco music inspired by Cajun food.

My favorite music is rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and for me, the wine is Cabernet Sauvignon—big Cabs—even over-the-top Northwest Cabs. (I love California Cabs too, but this is a Northwest wine site). I also think bold classical music works well, especially if you are in a place where you can crank the music up loud.

Fidelitas, made by Charlie Hoppes, begs for Kenny Wayne Shepard, Jonnie Lange or Susan Tedeschi. Woodward Canyon suggests the older blues musicians—Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and even Billie Holiday. Sineann or Owen Roe Cabs sing out for Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams. You name the blues player or group and Cabernet Sauvignon is your wine.

And, with the Beatles, my favorite music of all time, it depends on the song.

Of course, this is all subjective, and I have listened to music with all varietals, but I do have tendencies toward certain music and wine.

With white wines, I am all over the board—classical, bluegrass, blues, pop, country (I admit I am not a country western buff), and jazz. Patty Green white wines are great for music and seafood. I love Hamacher’s Chardonnay with Al Green music, or any of L’Ecole’s white wines with the score of Chicago, along with a plate of oysters.

The bottom line here is music creates as much of an atmosphere as wine, and it is all subjective. Put them together with as much care as you would food, and then invite me over for dinner.

Just remember that I love the Beatles, wonderful sauces, Cabernet Sauvignon and lots of conversation—the rest is up to you.

Let us know about your favorite wine/music combinations at info@avalonwine.com.