Can Music Enhance Wine Taste?

Playing a certain type of music can enhance the way wine tastes, research by psychologists suggests.

The Heriot Watt University study found people rated the change in taste by up to 60% depending on the melody heard. The researchers said cabernet sauvignon was most affected by “powerful and heavy” music, and chardonnay by “zingy and refreshing” sounds. Professor Adrian North said the study could lead retailers to put music recommendations on their wine bottles.

The research involved 250 students at the university who were offered a free glass of wine in exchange for their views.

Brain theory

Four types of music were played – Carmina Burana by Orff (”powerful and heavy”), Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky (”subtle and refined”), Just Can’t Get Enough by Nouvelle Vague (”zingy and refreshing”) and Slow Breakdown by Michael Brook (”mellow and soft”)

The white wine was rated 40% more zingy and refreshing when that music was played, but only 26% more mellow and soft when music in that category was heard.

The red was altered 25% by mellow and fresh music, yet 60% by powerful and heavy music.
The results were put down to “cognitive priming theory”, where the music sets up the brain to respond to the wine in a certain way.

“Wine manufacturers could recommend that while drinking a certain wine, you should listen to a certain sort of music,” Prof North said.

Here are some music and wine pairings suggestions

Cabernet Sauvignon: All Along The Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix), Honky Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones), Live And Let Die (Paul McCartney and Wings), Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who)

Chardonnay: Atomic (Blondie), Rock DJ (Robbie Williams), What’s Love Got To Do With It (Tina Turner), Spinning Around (Kylie Minogue)

Syrah: Nessun Dorma (Puccini), Orinoco Flow (Enya), Chariots Of Fire (Vangelis), Canon (Johann Pachelbel)

Merlot: Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding), Easy (Lionel Ritchie), Over The Rainbow (Eva Cassidy), Heartbeats (Jose Gonzalez)

Do you think these researches have point ?

Could be fun to try it out.

Source: BBC

The Four Graces From the Oregon Hills...

07 Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - $29

Four Graces is a family owned and run vineyard in the Dundee Hills of Oregon, the Black family consists of five children; four daughters known as the “Four Graces” and one son, the keeper of the “Four Graces”. Each wine is carefully crafted by winemaker extraordinaire Laurent Montalieu. Laurent and native Frenchman grew up as a child on his grandfather’s vineyards in Bordeaux where his tutelage began at an early age and has continued throughout his life in France, California, and now settling down in the hills of Oregon.

The 2007 Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is described as earthy and elegant, fruit forward with smooth, expressive tannins, this wine bears all the hallmarks of a great New World Burgundy. Reminiscent of wild mushrooms and blackberries, luscious damson and warm red roses, the 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is vibrant and delicious in its youth yet has the soft, focused tannins to suggest ageing with grace. Over 10 months in French oak has contributed velvet softness to the mouthfeel without masking the lovely red to black fruit characteristics. The color is a deep, bright ruby with purple rays and the aromas are quintessential Oregon Pinot Noir.

The 2007 Vintage is called to be one of the best Oregon Pinot Noir crops in a number of years, and will be memorable, so stock up now, it will not stay around!

As always go to http://www.wine-searcher.com/ to find where to pick the up.

Something To Try From Washington

Hedges Family Estate

Hedges is a family owned winery located in the AVA of Red Mountain in Washington State. Red Mountain located in Eastern Washington is widely recognized as the premier growing region in Washington State. Wine grapes from Red Mountain command the highest prices in the state and wines made from Red Mountain fruit are consistently recognized for their balance, depth, and complexity.

All though Hedges produces a wide variety of wines, two of the more popular are in the CMS series.

2007 CMS White - $15
Chardonnay – Marsanne – Sauvignon Blanc

A fresh and vibrant wine that combines the best of 3 grapes. The wine gets the balance and depth from the Chardonnay, spicy like aromatics from the Marsanne, and backbone and mineral notes from the Sauvignon Blanc. Great on its own or with a variety of seafoods

2007 CMS Red - $15
Cabernet – Merlot – Syrah

The combination of these 3 popular Washington grapes gives a sweet vanilla toast with raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry, with hints of clove, herbs and a touch of earth. The finish is long and lets one know it can last several years in bottle.