Listen to This, Drink That: #Winetrax Pairs Wine with Music

When I stumbled into the world of wine, I fell helplessly in love.

Since then, I’ve always wanted to share the passion, pleasure and enjoyment I experience every time I open a bottle. But the more I became educated about wine, the further I ventured from the pleasures I found in its simplicity.

It’s true — there’s an astounding amount to learn about wine. But all you really need to know is what you like, and quite simply, how you feel when you drink it. Think of the difference between enjoying a refreshing fruit smoothie at the beach, or a comforting mug of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Both are enjoyable, but they each create a very distinct mood.

With this in mind, I’ve always tried to make the fundamentals of wine easy for anyone to understand. Regardless of your field of expertise, it’s never impossible to create a connection with the world of wine. I start by determining the style and feel of a wine, and relating it to an outside topic — anything from fashion designers, to cars, to athletes, to supermodels.

But perhaps the best topic of comparison I’ve found is one that’s equally expressive and ripe with emotion: music. In fact, you’d be surprised how well the two go together.

To share this idea, I started a series of Twitter posts using the hashtag #winetrax in which I take the personality of a wine, and pair it with a song. By uncovering a wine’s disposition and attitude, I can associate it with a particular rhythm. As always, my goal is to create a better understanding of wine by bringing it back to basics — all you have to do is close your eyes and feel the music!

Here are three wines and corresponding songs that complement one another’s unique personalities:

1. Bodegas Muga Rose, Rioja, Spain, $17.99

Paired with Macy Gray – Beauty in the World

Both this wine and song are joyful expressions of feeling, brimming with smiles and loving thoughts. Think blushing red berry love. Grooving and clapping is to be expected! Available at BC Liquor Stores.

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2. Tantalus Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, $23-28

Paired with The Black Keys – Howlin’ for You

An electric wine with a sensational twang from its crisp, clean notes. Like chewing on lightning. This wine practically tastes like the guitar riffs in this song. Available at private wine shops or winery direct.

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3. Longview ‘Red Bucket’ Shiraz/Cabernet, Adelaide, Australia, $19.99

Paired with Calvin Harris – Feel So Close

Slick, balanced and perpetually moving, this wine has a well-timed rhythm with a smooth and dangerously sexy disposition. Although it starts off at an even, familiar keel, when the beat breaks you realize this is not your average bottle. You can’t help but get up and dance when listen to this, and drink that! Available at BC Liquor Stores.

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