Wow… that time again. This month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday snuck up on me. June marks the 58th installment of Wine Blogging Wednesday – a monthly online tasting/gathering of wine bloggers started by Len of Lenndevours. This month’s WBW is hosted by Katie of Gonzo Gastronomy, and the theme for this month – pairing wine with music.
This was definitely an interesting and challenging topic for me.
For this month’s WBW, I started with two guys with deep roots here in Virginia – Dave Matthews (of course of the Dave Matthews Band) and Jim Law of Liden Vineyards. Dave Matthews moved to Charlottesville, VA in 1986 and formed Dave Matthews Band around 1990. Jim Law got his career off to a start here in Virginia in 1981 (previous Linden posts here, here, and here).
I started with a couple of tracks from Dave Matthews’ 1994 Under the Table and Dreaming paired with Jim Law’s 2005 Hardscrabble. Both are very good – Under the Table and Dreaming is highlighted by ‘Ants Marching’ and ‘Dancing Nancies’ whereas Hardscrabble is highlighted by serious baked plum and dark cherry.
I moved on to Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble (just kidding – I have no clue who that dude is), Nirvanna Unplugged and finished with Temple of the Dog. As the music changed, so did the 2005 Hardscrabble. Like Dave Matthews, one of the best in its class from Virginia, the Hardscrabble opened up to reveal even more dark fruit, a hint of copper and earth. Overall, the Hardscrabble was excellent – great fruit, moderate tannins and strong plum finish.
I like music. I listen to it when I run, but I didn’t notice a ‘symbiotic relationship’ between the wine and music.
For me, it’s about the people that I share wine with that changes it! Given my weekly travel schedule, I live a nomadic traveler’s life – so my wine changes/takes on more meaning when I am with my wife or friends. In looking back over my tasting notes and this blog, I have a much more positive ‘wine experience’ based on who I’m sharing it with. For me – wine always tastes better with my wife.
Although I didn’t have a magical music and wine moment, I was reminded how much I miss the music sense of the early 90’s – Nirvanna (still remember where I was when I found out Kurt Cobain was dead), Dave Matthew’s live at UVA, and all that grunge music – Alice in Chains, Lovemongers and even Pearl Jam.
Thanks Katie for a cool Wine Blogging Wednesday!
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vcuspoon said:
Hi Frank
Great post and a great wine. I love anything from Linden and their “hardscrabble” line never disappoints. Too bad you couldn’t get a hold of some Blenheim wine of which Dave actually owns.
I of course slacked on this months WBW and didn’t get one up.
Cheers
John
I also noticed that we weren’t on each others blog roll, gotta share some link love for a fellow VA blogger! 🙂
drinkwhatyoulike said:
Hi John: Thanks for stopping by. I agree on the Blenheim – that would have been ideal. WBW snuck on me and only remembered last night so I went with the Virginia connection.
I just added you to my blog roll.
Best!
Alan @ MutineerMag said:
Dave Matthews Band is great wine music. I didn’t know he was from Virginia, I do know he lives in Seattle now. Nice post.