Crafting a Wine Inspired by an Album of Music

Band tryouts. Let’s see what you got.

Trying to craft a wine after an album of music is a new concept and while the project was narrowed down considerably by choosing specific varietals for the three albums, there were still heaps to decide on how the blends should represent the sound of the bands.

Maria Angel & Winemaker Mark Beaman emerges from the Secret Laboratory

There clearly was a need to have “try-outs” and check out all the potential candidates that may make up the blend/band. At the winery we keep all our vineyard lots separate up until it is time to blend. In any one season we may have 20-30 different wines of the same variety each from a unique location within Mendocino County’s diverse micro-climates. Also if that particular vineyard was divided up into a redwood tank, new oak barrels from a French cooperage or an American cooperage which may be new barrels, once used barrels, twice used barrels, and so on.

So clearly there are many spices in the spice rack to select from any one vintage. So to get a snapshot of these separate lots of wines they have to be sampled (Yeah, that part of the job is a bummer).

Wines are lined up, swirled, sniffed, sipped and spit and notes are recorded on traits of the wines. One wine may grandstand one or two particular traits (aroma, fruit, acid, tannin…) over others. The next wine will have the opposite attributes even though they are same variety, picked at roughly the same time, and from within a few miles of one another. There can be incredible diversity in wines due to the different vineyard sites expression. So with all this available options the objective was to assemble an appropriate mixture of wines of the selected variety that forms a singular wine that captures the best of each component.

Blending is a search for the best grouping of individual highlights that when assembled can achieve a wine of harmony, energy, and focus that each wine alone could harness without the others. This, of course takes some trial and error. Luckily, the music is something I have no problem listening to, over and over again and the same goes for sampling wines. Call it band try outs.

Part one of a three part series.  More to follow from Mark :)

Apr 6, 2010 at 9:47 AM

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Green Wine - What's Inside Wines That Rock?

Green Wine

While the label catches your eye, its what’s inside the every bottle of Wines That Rock that’s important.

In Robert Parker's article on Wine Trends: "The Creation of Healthier Vineyards" he says - "no one should argue that organic or biodynamic vineyards are intrinsically superior to others, it is a healthy movement, and there is no question that the results are better and produce better fruit, and ultimately, better wines."

When we started Wines That Rock almost 2 years ago we searched the country for the right partners to custom craft our unique varietals. Finding a winemaker that's willing to craft wine based on rock 'n roll music is no easy task, but luckily we found Mark Beaman and the Mendocino Wine Co.

Besides their ability to craft wines inspired by music, the Mendocino Wine Co. has proven over the years that they are true environmental leaders, becoming the first carbon neutral winery in the US in 2007. All of Wines That Rock varietals are grown in Mendocino County utilizing sustainable farming and business practices.

But what does that really mean? Well check this out! In this (part 1) Green Winegrowing Handbook Presentation, our partner Tim Thornhill talks about what “sustainably grown” means. He provides an in-depth overview of the green practices used in the creation of Wines That Rock providing a better understanding of why these practices contribute not only to the quality of wine but the health of our environment.

As you watch it, you will learn more about carbon neutrality, 100% green power, sustainable farming practices, water reduction, reuse and recycling and our earth friendly packaging. Rock on!

Mar 31, 2010 at 12:46 PM

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GOLD!

As a new wine company we are always exploring ways to get more people to enjoy our great varietals. We decided to see how our wines stacked up against 100's of others and entered The New World International Wine Competition in Ontario, California last week

Well as they say in sports, its early in the season but we are off to amazing start. We won 4 medals (3 Gold and 1 Silver) and a Special Recognition Award for our labels. WOW! We'll keep you informed how we do moving forward as we have more wine competitions we are entering throughout the spring and summer...let's just say Wines That Rock are officially on tour!

As Walter Huston's charater Howard said in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - "I know what gold does to men's souls." But just the same, old Howard did do a fine victory dance when they find gold. So why not...

Mar 30, 2010 at 7:55 AM

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Wines That Rock in MINNESOTA

WTR just added 33 new Retail location in MINNESOTA.  You can check them out in our nifty new Store Locator.  We are psyched to have Wines That Rock available in these fine retail establishments.  Welcome to the WTR Family!

Here is the list: 

GO GET IT MINNESOTA!!

Mar 26, 2010 at 10:22 AM

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Pairing Wine and Music

From the Today Show

This segment from The Today Show is music to our ears! Restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich talks about the unique relationship between wine and music...something Wines That Rock believes in to the very last drop. Nice job Joe, we couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Mar 12, 2010 at 8:46 AM

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68 New Stores to Carry Wines That Rock in Missouri

68 New Stores to Carry Wines That Rock in Missouri.  Check out this list of our new retail locations in MO   Find-a-Store

Feb 15, 2010 at 9:59 AM

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87 New Stores that Carry Wines That Rock Upstate New York

Check out our list of new retail locations in Up state New York.
Over 87 New locations.  Welcome to the Wines That Rock Nation New York!!

Feb 9, 2010 at 2:50 PM

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2010 St. Louis Food and Wine Experience

Wines That Rock is very excited to be included in the largest wine event in St. Louis – the 2010 St. Louis Food and Wine Experience at the Chase Park Plaza. Our wines will be part of the all-day wine tastings and available for sale both Saturday and Sunday, so come on out, meet the WTR team and enjoy great this great event that supports the arts in St. Louis.

2010 St. Louis Food and Wine Experience at the Chase Park Plaza

Jan 26, 2010 at 11:59 AM

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Wine of the Week

The Daily Sip has just made Wines That Rock it's Wine of the Week.

Amongst our favorite quotes from the article are:

The Dark Side of the Moon Cab struck the biggest chord with us at The Daily Sip™. It’s round and full, with flavors of blackberry, cassis and a touch of oak. After a couple glasses you’ll be singing “Money!” as you refill.

AND

If you’re really a die hard, tee up the Wizard of Oz, and uncork that bottle of The Dark Side of the Moon after the third roar of the lion. - WE LOVE THAT!!!

Check out the full article here

Jan 6, 2010 at 12:37 PM

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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
 

Jan 4, 2010 at 11:07 AM

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