What varietals to choose for the albums?

What varietals to choose for the albums?

After the first three albums were chosen we took time to get in tune with the music. Bob, Paul, and I listened to the albums and watched many documentaries on the making of the albums/movie. A few years back I never would have envisioned I would be at work and watching the Stones, the Dark Side of the Moon and Woodstock. Only at Mendocino Wine Co!

While “in study”, notes were written down about any musical message, personalities, the instruments contributions to the sound, themes and inspirations behind the music or message and attitude. What did the music make you think and most importantly how did it make you feel? Woodstock was cheerful and about community. The Stones 40 Licks was about familiar determined consistent style without a lot of bells and whistles. The Dark side was complex, dark and brooding. After that, thought was put into what each of the classical varieties of wine was about and each was discussed on its own merit. Examples flowed about the attributes of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Touriga Nacional (actually not that last one…).

The notes from the music were compared to the wines. Similarities emerged between the styles of music and what certain wine varietals evoked. Not much science here, just a personal choice on what music makes you feel and what a wine can also call up.

Mark Beaman