AS IF FOOD and wine pairing isn’t challenging enough! Get it right and the enjoyment of both what’s on the plate and in the glass will be enhanced, although it’s hardly straightforward. Apparently something similar applies to music: depending on what you’re playing, some wines are more suitable than others: think smooth red and mellow jazz, or perhaps good Chardonnay at a symphony concert (not too much wood, mind you!). And there are those who have taken things to another level, including South Africa’s Cape Winemakers Guild and Nedbank who have come up with a recording of sounds from the cellar and vineyard (as well as keyboard and strings) intended to match musical notes to wine tasting notes.

The Guild describes the Tasting Notes as a world first, in which CWG Protégés together with musicians and neuroscientists have put together a composition that amplifies what you’re tasting by way of what you’re hearing, i.e. with the various musical notes accentuating the various notes associated with the flavour of a wine. “Fruitiness is classified as a high-pitch sound; savoury high to middle; acidity middle to low; and tannins (or bitter) as a low pitch.” This Story of Sound and Wine, “backed by science and bolstered by imagination”, is intended to “peel away the flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon”. It’s arguable, however, that these Tasting Notes could also work with other varieties, but they’re keeping the door open regarding a sequel: could there be a Chenin Blanc follow-up, or Pinotage perhaps?

It’s been described as a “passion mash-up”, a “new way of engaging with wine”. For a visual overview, click here, or to listen to the composition, get a glass of Cab and click here (best heard through a good set of headphones, but hey!)