Karl Wente is part of a noteworthy wine family in California. The Wente family have been making wine in the Livermore Valley since 1883. Karl is fifth-generation winemaker at Wente Vineyards, and was recently included in Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 40 Under 40: America’s Tastemakers. Winemaking isn’t Karl’s only passion, he also has a serious interest in music. He is a member of the band The Front Porch, on vocals and playing acoustic guitar. Recently Karl and Wente Vineyards, along with Charles Communications Associates, sponsored a virtual tasting combining wine and music. Turns out, it’s a natural combination.
Joining Karl in hosting the virtual tasting was Karl’s friend and fellow musician, Shannon Koehler (drums, vocals and harmonica) from The Stone Foxes, a San Francisco Bay Area band. The Stone Foxes have been performing for about five years and have played at the Front Porch Homegrown Series at the winery as well as at a Wente Foundation for Arts Education event.
As Karl and Shannon talked about their musical experiences and the wine, those of us participating in the virtual tasting joined in via Ustream and Twitter. Everyone chimed in with their thoughts on the wine and music to pair with each wine. It was a fun and interesting tasting. Here’s what we tasted.
2011 Wente Vineyards Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit for this wine comes from the Livermore Valley. It is cold fermented in stainless steel and sees no wood aging. The flavors are all Sauvignon Blanc. There is a bit of hay on the nose and in the background flavors, along with citrus, peaches and melon. It has clean, crisp acidity and is light in the mouth. This is not a vegetal, grassy Sauvignon Blanc. The screw top closure makes it convenient to take on a picnic.
Musical tip from Karl and Shannon: if you want to learn to play music, but are afraid to “mess-up” on the guitar, try a harmonica. It’s easier to play and you can just carry it around in your pocket and play whenever you want.
My musical pairing with the Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc: Andy Palacio.
2012 Wente Vineyards Small Lot Eric’s Chardonnay. No malolactic fermentation and no wood aging for this Chardonnay. The nose is all citrusy Chardonnay fruit scents. When tasted on its own, citrus dominates the flavors. It is crisp and has great acidity. As we sipped this wine with our meal, it showed more tropical fruit flavors. An interesting transformation. The Small Lots series of wines are Tasting Room exclusives according to the Wente website. Now there’s a reason to visit the winery.
Insight from Karl and Shannon: making music and wine is a similar process. Karl compared the recording process for music with the blending process for wine. Both require being in the moment and incorporating percussion, volumes and sounds in the studio on the musical side and blending vineyards and varieties on the wine side. Both are a creative process.
My musical pairing with the Eric’s Chardonnay: Cesária Évora.
2012 Wente Vineyards Riverbank Riesling. Floral scents in the glass are echoed in the flavors along with melon and citrus. Once again, light in the mouth and a clean, crisp finish thanks to good acidity. About 20% Gewürztraminer is blended into this wine and there is a bit of residual sugar. At only 12.5% abv, this wine would be an excellent choice to just sip on the patio at the end of the day.
Insight from Karl and Shannon: performing music at a wine venue makes the performance more classy. Interaction with the audience is more settled.
My music pairing with the Riverbank Riesling: Lisa Stansfield.
2010 Wente Vineyards Sandstone Merlot. Scents and flavors of blackberries and plums predominate with spices from the complex wood aging in American, French and Eastern European oak. The wine is aged in oak for 16 months. The oak is neutral (already used), however, so it does not overpower the flavors of the Merlot fruit.
Insight from Karl and Shannon: among the suggestions for musical pairings with the Merlot were Wolfmother and Grateful Dead. Karl talked about new versus old oak aging and the influence both have on the wine. Music and food are good for the soul! The conversation was lively.
My music pairing with the Merlot: Ana Moura.
We enjoyed listened to The Front Porch CD Evermore as we prepared for the tasting, which was sent to us along with the wines. Thanks to Wente Vineyards and Charles Communications Associates for the wine and the music.
The rules regarding pairing wine and music are simple. Drink and listen to whatever you enjoy. Now get out there and do a bit of both.
Cheers!
