logo
The Surprising Impact Music Has On Wine Tasting

The Surprising Impact Music Has On Wine Tasting

Forbes30-04-2025

In a trial, about 2700 liters of Pinot Gris are to be exposed to classical music via a loudspeaker in an oak barrel.
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
After twenty years in the wine trade I've heard my fair share of sales propaganda. The idea that playing Bach or Brahms to the barrel improves its contents was up there with the best of it. Nevertheless, there's growing evidence that a steady flow of vibrations can help with a wine's gentle maturation and development. What's more, studies are also demonstrating that pairing music with wine can change, even improve, our perception of what's in the glass. So next time you find your Pinot Grigio too flat, or your Zinfandel too sweet, changing the playlist might help.
In Puglia, Italy's heel-shaped peninsula, winemaker Pasquale Petrera has been applying what he calls 'music therapy' to his cellar. His goal is to 'emphasize the elegance, freshness and authenticity of Primitivo' by optimising the oxygenation process. This happens naturally through the wood, but he believes the additional sound waves that bounce off the cask help to move the wine particles around in a non invasive and ultimately beneficial way. Petrera plays bird song and the sound of running water, rustling leaves, wind, rain, thunder and rolling waves. Does this really make better wine? Intriguingly, his winery produces the best Primitivo in the country.
Up in the north, on the shores of Lake Garda, the Olivini family have been using classical music in the cellar since its renovation in 2018. While the local white Turbiana grape doesn't require the same level of softening as a robust red, winemaker Juri Botti believes that this very subtle form of bâtonnage can create complexity and elegance, particularly for his sparkling wines that spend up to 60 months on the lees. 'When sound waves move through air, water, or earth, the vibrations affect how those molecules behave. We believe that having the yeast particles stimulated has a positive effect.'
There are few scientific studies available that yield conclusive data, but on reflection, there is clearly some logic to it. In Chile's Colchagua valley, Montes has now been administering the rhythmic sounds of Gregorian chanting for 20 years. In recognition of the power of acoustics, Aurelio Montes has constructed his cellar in a semi circle to maximise the harmony imparted by these monastic tones. He has them reverberate day and night, 365 days a year. Skeptics can be skeptical, and file this pseudo Feng Shui under clever marketing, but the winery's flagship reds are frequently held up by critics as some of country's best wines.
In Tuscany, Carlo Cignozzi has taken it a step further. Over 120 speakers have been installed on his Paradiso di Frassina estate in Montalcino in order to dispense those same musical vibrations over the vines themselves. Throughout the growing season he plays only Mozart, due to the composer's preference for lower frequencies. Not only do lower frequencies travel further, some believe they have natural healing capacities. In response, Cignozzi observes healthier vines and grapes with greater levels of anthocyanin. 'Not only does the music create a beneficial resonance for the plant, pathogens and pests are also put off by the sound. Mozart bothers them and they leave.' I know the feeling. Again though, gimmicks not required. Brunello almost sells itself these days.
If music can move the particles in the air and meddle with vines and barrels, what effect can it have on our senses? No doubt background noise can interrupt our concentration, but the idea it can nudge, or even change our opinions is a fascinating topic. In a study titled 'Wine & Song: The Effect of Background Music on the Taste of Wine', Dr Adrian C. North of Heriot Watt University posed the question - can the thoughts primed by music influence what people actually taste?
Now, as a professional wine writer and critic I'd like to think I can guard against emotional priming. Nevertheless, studies show that pairing music with wine can influence people's sensory judgements, for better or worse. North's work revealed that playing heavy music while tasting a white wine resulted in 32% more references to heavy than when tasting the same wine in silence.
In the UK various experiments have been carried out on the commercial benefits of priming. In one supermarket, playing French music resulted in an increase in French wine sales. By contrast, classical music resulted in a higher average bottle price than did a random blast of the week's top 40. Susan R Lin, a Master of Wine who wrote her thesis on the influences of classical music on the perception of a Brut non-vintage Champagne, believes that depending on the definition of 'improvement', music can have a positive effect on the drinker.
'Different combinations of musical elements (pitch, tempo, articulation, timbre for example) have been shown to have effects on sensory perception. Therefore, if you are seeking to elevate the perception of certain sensory characteristics in a wine, say brightness and freshness, you might find music with faster tempo, higher pitch, dynamic articulation and bright timbre. These musical elements have been shown to be associated with these characteristics.'
When it comes to tips on what to play, Lin's study suggests that playing your favourite music is enough. It's more about mood. If Metallica lifts your spirits, then that's likely to impact your perceived enjoyment just as much as Beethoven's 9th symphony. She says 'try different combinations of musical genres with wines, even if they are styles you might not normally listen to or drink! You might be surprised. The most important is to let yourself feel what your senses take in intuitively; that's where the magic begins.'
The wine world is full of variables. We just love the complexity of it all. Giving credence to the role of music, both in winemaking and as we taste, expands that world further. It's only a matter of time before your next Californian Chardonnay label reads aged in oak and the rumbling sounds of the 101. Pair with sea urchin and punk rock.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sydney Sweeney reveals how she gained 30 pounds to play boxer Christy Martin in biopic: ‘My boobs' and butt ‘got huge'
Sydney Sweeney reveals how she gained 30 pounds to play boxer Christy Martin in biopic: ‘My boobs' and butt ‘got huge'

New York Post

timean hour ago

  • New York Post

Sydney Sweeney reveals how she gained 30 pounds to play boxer Christy Martin in biopic: ‘My boobs' and butt ‘got huge'

Sydney Sweeney earned her spot in the ring. The actress, 27, opened up about her dramatic transformation to play professional boxer Christy Martin for the upcoming biopic being directed by David Michôd. 'I came onboard to play Christy, and I had about three and a half months of training,' Sweeney said in a new W Magazine cover story, which noted that she gained over 30 pounds for the role. Advertisement 13 Sydney Sweeney on the cover of W Magazine. Carlijn Jacobs/ W Magazine 13 Sydney Sweeney for W Magazine. Carlijn Jacobs/ W Magazine 'I started eating,' she continued. 'I weight-trained in the morning for an hour, kickboxed midday for about two hours, and then weight-trained again at night for an hour.' Advertisement Sweeney shared that her 'body was completely different' as a result. 'I didn't fit in any of my clothes. I'm usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27,' she said. 'My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, Oh my god.' 13 Christy Martin poses for a portrait in March 1996. The Ring Magazine via Getty Images 13 Sydney Sweeney for W Magazine. Carlijn Jacobs/ W Magazine Advertisement Despite the drastic physical changes, Sweeney loved her new body. 'It was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong,' she noted. 13 Sydney Sweeney working out to play Christy Martin. sydney_sweeney/Instagram 13 Sydney Sweeney shows off her muscles. sydney_sweeney/Instagram Advertisement 13 Sydney Sweeney during training for the Christy Martin movie. sydney_sweeney/Instagram In October, Sweeney looked unrecognizable as the WBC super welterweight champ on the film's set in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 'White Lotus' star rocked a short and curly brunette wig and wore a baggy zip-up, sweats and t-shirt. Sweeney, per her W Magazine story, had to drop the weight she gained in just seven weeks before she started shooting Season 3 of 'Euphoria.' 13 Christy Martin, Sydney Sweeney at the Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York on June 8. Getty Images 'I hadn't ever seen her in 'Euphoria,'' Michôd, 52, told the outlet. 'I FaceTimed with her the other day when Sydney was in the makeup truck for the show, and I was stunned by the change in her appearance.' 'I had only seen her as an adorable, tough moppet with late-'80s hair, ready to box,' the director continued. 'Sydney was happiest when she was in the ring punching and being punched. It was shocking to see her being so glamorous.' 13 Sydney Sweeney in an Instagram photo. amberasaly/Instagram Advertisement The biopic, written by Michôd and Mirrah Foulkes, will chronicle Martin's rise to fame in the boxing world. The cast also includes Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Ethan Embry and Katy O'Brian. Known as 'The Coal Miner's Daughter' because of her father's job, Martin made her boxing debut in 1989. She is credited for making women's boxing mainstream after taking on Deirdre Gogarty in front of cameras and a sold-out crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in March 1996. 13 Christy Martin after defeating Marcela Acuña in their Welterweight fight in 1997. Getty Images She became the first female boxer to grace the front of Sports Illustrated in April 1996. Advertisement 13 Christy Martin after winning the WBC Championship Boxing Lightweight fight in March 1996. Getty Images 13 Sydney Sweeney, Christy Martin visit the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Getty Images But Martin's life took a turn in Nov. 2010, when her manager-turned-husband James, 66, stabbed her several times and shot her in the chest, leaving her for dead on the floor of her bedroom in Apopka, Florida. The then-42-year-old athlete survived the attack, and James was arrested days later and charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Martin — who later came out as gay and married Lisa Holewyne in 2017 — was thrilled about Sweeney's casting in the film about her life. Advertisement 13 Christy Martin, Sydney Sweeney during the Parade of Champions on June 8. Getty Images 'I think she is young, hot, talented and about to make a movie that in 20+ years, fathers will watch with their daughters to make them aware of domestic violence,' the athlete told TMZ last year. Sweeney, for her part, told Deadline in May 2024 that she was inspired by Martin's story and was excited to 'train and transform my body' for the role.

Jamie Foxx breaks down in tears over his stroke during emotional BET Awards 2025 speech
Jamie Foxx breaks down in tears over his stroke during emotional BET Awards 2025 speech

New York Post

time2 hours ago

  • New York Post

Jamie Foxx breaks down in tears over his stroke during emotional BET Awards 2025 speech

Jamie Foxx is still emotional about the darkest period of his life. The Oscar winner, 57, broke down in tears as he reflected on his 2023 near-fatal stroke while accepting the Ultimate Icon Honor at the 2025 BET Awards on Monday. 'Man, we used to take this thing for granted—that God is good, all the time. I cannot even begin to express the love that I feel from everybody out there,' Foxx said while getting choked up. 8 Jamie Foxx during his speech at the 2025 BET Awards on June 9. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock 'I gotta be honest — when I saw the 'in memoriam', I was like, man, that could have been me,' he added through tears. 'But I don't know why I went through what I went through, but I know my second chance—I'm not going to turn down.' The 'Back in Action' star recalled that he asked God for 'one more crack' at life. 8 Jamie Foxx speaks on stage at the BET Awards. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP 8 Jamie Foxx wipes away tears while reflecting on his stroke. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP 8 Jamie Foxx crying about his stroke at the 2025 BET Awards. AFP via Getty Images 'I said whatever reason you put this on me, I promise I'mma do right,' he shared. I'mma do right in front of y'all, because I know a lot of times, when we get on we forget about where we come from.' Foxx went on to shout out his 'beautiful' daughter Corinne, 31, who was in the audience with her sister Anelise, 16, for supporting him during his health crisis. 8 Jamie Foxx with his daughters Annalise and Corinne at the 2025 BET Awards. Getty Images for BET 'You've always taken a backseat to everything. But when you needed to drive it, you drove,' said Foxx. 'And you made sure I was here. And at a certain point, I'm going to stop crying, but I'm not going to stop yet.' The comedian also emotionally recalled how Anelise was by his side while he was close to death in the hospital. 8 Annalise Bishop and Corinne Foxx embrace their dad at the 2025 BET Awards. Getty Images for BET 'When I was fighting for my life in there, they said, 'We're going to lose him because his vitals are bad,'' Foxx told the audience. 'And I didn't want my 14 year old to see me like that. But Anelise overheard the conversation and she snuck into my hospital room with her guitar and said, 'I know what my Daddy needs.'' 'And as she played the guitar, my vitals (improved),' he recalled. 'And I realized God was in her guitar. The nurses ran in and said, 'What did they give him?' My daughter said, 'Shh, I've got him.'' 8 Jamie Foxx nearly died of a stroke in 2023. iamjamiefoxx/Instagram Foxx was hospitalized in April 2023 due to a brain bleed caused him to have a stroke. In his 2024 Netflix stand-up special, 'What Had Happened Was,' Foxx explained that he had 'a bad headache' before he woke up in a wheelchair in the hospital after losing 20 days of memory. 8 Jamie Foxx in a selfie. Instagram/@iamjamiefoxx The 'Ray' star called his recovery period 'the worst year' of his life. But Foxx has since made a career comeback. He even earned a Golden Globe nomination for his comedy special.

Kevin Hart savagely roasts Sean ‘Diddy' Combs and Kanye West at 2025 BET Awards
Kevin Hart savagely roasts Sean ‘Diddy' Combs and Kanye West at 2025 BET Awards

New York Post

time4 hours ago

  • New York Post

Kevin Hart savagely roasts Sean ‘Diddy' Combs and Kanye West at 2025 BET Awards

Kevin Hart left no prisoners during his opening monologue at the 2025 BET Awards. The comedian, 45, roasted Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Kanye West and Cardi B while hosting the award show at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday. 9 Kevin Hart hosting the 2025 BET Awards on June 9. Getty Images 9 Kevin Hart on stage at the 2025 BET Awards at the Peacock Theatre. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock After saying he was 'shutting down afterparties,' Hart shaded Combs, 55, by telling the crowd, 'That's where s-t gets slippery, at them goddamn afterparties. We're learning a lot about people, ain't we?' Combs, who is currently on trial for sex trafficking and other charges, has been accused of hosting 'freak-off' sex session where participants allegedly used an abundance amount of baby oil. 9 Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrives at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2022. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP 9 Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Kevin Hart at the NBA All-Star 2018 Finale party. Getty Images While going after West, 48, Hart said, 'Oh s–t, it's Kanye. Yep, he says he's out front, he's waiting for somebody to invite him in.' 'We all saw 'Sinners,' don't let his ass in here, so he could fight somebody, so he can fight Playboi Carti again, okay?' Hart joked. 'Nobody let Kanye in, no! Not tonight!' he shouted to the audience. 9 Kevin Hart hosting the BET Awards 2025. Getty Images for BET 9 Kanye West attends the Balenciaga Spring 2023 Fashion Show in New York in May 2022. GC Images In February, West made an unexpected appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards with his wife, Bianca Censori, who posed nearly naked on the red carpet. Days later, West went on an antisemitic rant on social media. At the BET Awards, Hart also alluded to the recent viral videos of Cardi, 32, and her boyfriend, Stefon Diggs, partying on a yacht in Miami. In one of the clips, Diggs, 31, pulled out a small baggie with pink substance that appeared to be cocaine. 9 Cardi B at the 2025 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Celebration on June 8. Rob Latour/Shutterstock 'No yachts, no boats. Cardi B, no pink stuff. What the f–k, none of that stuff,' Hart quipped. 'Everybody's gonna get hit tonight,' the 'Jumanji' star added. 'We're live. It's gonna be a good time.' 9 Kevin Hart speaks onstage during the 2025 BET Awards. Getty Images for BET But Hart also gave Cardi her due later in his monologue. 'The women in hip-hop are doing such amazing—I told you guys it's a matter of giving flowers, so I wanna make sure I celebrate this correctly. Shouts out to Cardi B, shouts out to Meg[an] Thee Stallion. shouts out to Latto, Doechii, just to name a few. You guys are all doing amazing things,' Hart said. 'We all love you, we all see you, we all support you. It's dope as hell to see how you guys are pushing the goddamn business in music forward. Keep going ladies, keep going,' he added. 9 Kevin Hart hosting the 2025 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 9. Getty Images for BET The BET Awards were a star-studded affair with performances by Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Leon Thomas, Ashanti, Keyshia Cole, Babyface, Ludacris, Jennifer Hudson and more,. The Ultimate Icon Award was given to Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store