Symphonic Pairings!

this was originally written for the Great Falls Symphony Program

As a wine cellar (get it?) I often wonder what is going through people's minds as they stand in front of that big shelf in the store. I believe as music lover's we have a built in advantage, each wine seems to have a correlating instrument – here's proof:

Piano's are as comfortable in a worn down bar as a concert hall and are the key instrument when looking for a “complete” sound. They can be played classically or with a honky tonk sound. Without doubt, Cote du Rhone red blends are a perfect correlation. They can be used in multiple situations – with or without food - are comfortable with the lead but also know that at times they need to relinquish it and be in support – it performs just as well on its own as when cast as the complement with a succulent meal.

French Horn – smooth, gentle and generally in the background it certainly adds depth to music but is never required to be the flashy center of attention. Can a Merlot be described with a more concise analogy? Until we American's made it step to the front for a few years, it had spent most of it's life in obscurity. It was certainly required to give balance and mellow out it's harsher partner – Cabernet Sauvignon in its ancestral Bourdeaux home but really preferred to be in a supporting role. The good news is that after the movie Sideways, Merlot again is in it's proper place – much like the horn, adding what's required but rarely* seeking independence.

Percussion! Can anyone imagine an orchestra without the clashing cymbals – that burst of sound needed at just the appropriate time? Champagne it is! For centuries now this incredible creation has been used in celebratory situations – adding the “percussion” to our lives at just the appropriate times. The snare drum seems to call for the Spanish version of the sparkling wine – Cava – versatile and noisy, fairly easily played and not requiring perfection. Italy's version – the Prosecco is represented by the xylophone – adding rare and precious sounds on the occasion diversity is needed.

Oboe - all wind sections, in my opinion need one. Obscure and hard to master – adding that occasional flare that one otherwise wouldn't have in it's absence. The uninitiated make a squeaky mess but those with the patience to labor in the shadows are able to shine through when the score is written to include them. Yes, believe it or not there is a correlating wine – it comes from a region in France called Cahors – it is made with the irascible (at least from this region) Malbec grape. Rustic and rough, tough and dark this wine is meant to be enjoyed with big, rich food – certainly not to be enjoyed on it's own. Sound familiar?

and finally ... the Violin. We all know the place it has reserved for itself – flying above the crowd, comfortable with attention, 1^st Chair always the goal. Legendary craftsman have made a name for themselves creating it while each generation has it's own virtuoso's - exciting crowds by displaying both it's clarity and inspiration. Pinot Noir! First perfected on the Côte d'Or (Hills of Gold) in Burgundy it has since simultaneously inspired and broken hearts of vineyard owners the world over with it's finicky soul and easily displayed failings. The inspirational welling in the throat brought about by the meeting of the strings and bow - the notes soaring high above the orchestrated noise is a perfect analogy to the beautiful aroma's followed by the depth of earthiness in the well constructed Pinot – when done properly - perfection attained!

so ... the next time you find yourself staring at that big rack of wine the answer to which bottle ends up in your hand should be apparent – am I in the mood for a big crash of cymbals, is perfection the goal or is it just a nice easy going French Horn kind of a night?