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.

Who can drink red wine in this heat???

Flora Springs
2007 Napa Pinot Grigio - $14

Pinot Grigio differs from other white varietals in that its skin is dark (hence the name Gris in France). The grapes must be pressed immediately upon arrival at the winery - quickly and gently - to avoid extracting any color or bitterness. The juice is then cold fermented in stainless tanks and bottled shortly after fermentation is completed to preserve the freshness and unique character of the wine. The brightness of citrus is complemented by a dash of tropical fruit flavors to yield a wine of pure delight. Serve chilled and enjoy!



Lake Sonoma 2006 Dry Creek

Sauvignon Blanc - $12

Refreshing bright citrus fruit flavors of lime and grapefruit with forward herbal notes of pepper and lemongrass combined to distinguish its classic varietal character. This wine was made from some of the best Sauvignon Blanc Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. Harvested at the peak of flavor the grapes are gently pressed and then cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the crisp, fruity flavor. No barrels or malolactic fermentation were used. This allowed the true character of the grape to express itself with a refreshing combination of lemongrass, herbal and citrus flavors.


Drink Up!

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

Value Wines of The Week

Peter Lehmann
2005 Barossa Shiraz - $15

This wine comes from 2006 International wine maker of the year, Peter Lehmann. Now let’s dispel the Shiraz/Syrah myth name myth. Many argue its origins are the Middle East in Persia near the city of “Shiraz” and was taken South to France by the Phoenicians or Romans. France, however claims it as its own, DNA recently shows that the French win and it is a cross of 2 French vines: Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. The Aussies brought the grape from France and coined it Shiraz in honor of the city aforementioned that it was believed to have originated from. They are in fact the same grape, call it what you want.

This wine has aromas of chocolate on the nose, then spliced with the richness of Barossa Shiraz with a depth of fruit, cherry and tobacco on the palate complemented by fine chalky tannins on the finish.

Chateau La Paws
Cote Du Bone Blanc 2006 - $14

This wine is a Rhone inspired blend made by Rosenblum Cellars of Viognier (lending tropical fruit), Chardonnay (lending green apple), Sauvignon Blanc (grapefruit, lime, green melon, passion fruit and grass), Rousanne (ripe pear), and Marsanne (rich melon) coming from premium vineyards through out California. Each of these varietals were all fermented individually in their own unique way then blended together to give the wine a refreshing pear, melon, and mango bouquet, with flavors of apple, peach, and creamy vanilla.

Want more reason to buy this wine? A portion of all the sales go to benefit “Paws with a Cause”, a charitable leader in training assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

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

It's Getting Hot Out There...Let's Drink Some Rosé

With the weather heating up outside, its time to talk about some warm weather quaffing wines, specifically Rosé. What is Rosé? Rosé is traditionally a pink wine in color that should never be confused with the other pink stuff (White Zin). Rosé is made from a red skinned varietal that once crushed, allows the skins to remain in contact with the clear juice for a few days drawing out flavors, extract, and color (pink) from the skins, the wine then goes through the fermentation process leaving little to no residual sugars, this is where Rosé and White Zinfandel differ.

Domaine Carneros Brut
Rosé Sparkling Wine - $25

Made of Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay blended in, emphasizing the fruity and floral characteristics. This wine is meant to be consumed young, where it shows hints of strawberries, roses, jasmine, and peach with a crisp finish. Great alone, also a great compliment to deserts or afternoon brunch.

Frog’s Leap 2007 Pink -
La Grenouille Rougante - $14

Coming from Napa Valley made of a rarely known grape 92% Valdiguie (Napa Gamay) originating from France, began growing in the Napa Valley some 100 years ago. These particular Valdiguie vines are 80 years old. This wine is meant for fun. Aromas of watermelon and white flowers, with tastes of strawberry, sour cherry, and watermelon are abundant in the mouth. Sounds funny, well don’t laugh until you experience it firsthand.

Some of the best out there...

Livio Felluga 2007 Pinot Grigio - $20

Pinot Grigio & Pinot Gris are one in the same, call it what you want, the grape is an offspring of Pinot Noir. The grapes at ripeness will appear gray-blue or gray-pink hence the name “gris”. At the point of winemaking the grapes are crushed and little to no contact with the skins is allowed, giving it a yellow straw color.

O7 Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio has aromas that come through of wild rose and orange peels with hints of tropical fruit, apricot, honey, and white pepper

In the mouth, elegant and full, with spicy notes of peach, apricot & honey. It has a rich, creamy, and long finish. Drink now, its best when young.

Look at http://www.wine-searcher.com/ to find where you can pick these wines up locally.




Groth Winery 2005 Oakville
Cabernet Sauvignon - $55

This one is a real treat, might be the best Cab I have ever tasted, and well worth the cash.

The ’05 growing season was rare: a very wet spring gave the opportunity to develop very juicy fruit combined with an Indian Summer that gave long hand times allowing grapes to mature at a leisurely pace resulting in perfect sugar/acid ratios and an outstanding color.

Big and lush with huge gobs of fruit in the aroma and flavor. Deep purple in color with tastes of chocolate, ripe raspberries, and cloves. The texture of the wine is soft and supple. If you can be patient you will be rewarded if you can hold on to it for 10 years. Buy as much as you can, and drink it when ever you are ready, today or a decade later.

Look at http://www.wine-searcher.com/ to find where you can pick these wines up locally.