Music and Wine Pairing: TV On The Radio 'Return To Cookie Mountain' & 2006 Claraval Seleccion Especial

Wine and music are two of my favorite things, and just as one would select the perfect dish to serve along side a bottle of Cabernet care must be taken when pairing an album with a bottle. The right (or wrong) musical selection can make or break a wine.

Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when choosing an album to listen to while enjoying a special bottle:

Cabernet Sauvignon’s dense fruit flavors and full-body pair well with darker, abstract music. The medium-body, dark fruit characteristics commonly found in Merlot are intensified when paired with loud, moody music. Pinot Noir’s lighter, supple, fruit driven flavors are a perfect match for sensual, sexy music. The rich, round fruit flavors commonly found in Shiraz and Grenache pair well with bold, upbeat tunes. Take into consideration listening to a mellow mix of music while enjoying the sumptuous, smooth qualities of Chardonnay. And perhaps select music that is a bit more lively to complement the crisp, zippy nature of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.

My recommendation for the week:

TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
2006 Claraval Seleccion Especial

This wine is a delicious blend of 50% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah. The diverse grape profile makes it a perfect match for this album, which itself is a brilliant fusion of noise, melodic tunes and hypnotizing vocals.

When listening to this album, be prepared to fall into a trance-like state. The 2006 Claraval Seleccion Especial complements feelings of rapture and euphoria with an enticing bouquet of dark fruit and spice. Flavors of dark berries on the palate are intensified by repetitious, pulsating drum-driven beats. Claraval’s long, smooth finish is complemented by its silky tannic structure.

Turn the lights down and the volume up, pop the cork and enjoy!

(TV On The Radio, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. August 2009)