Music and Wine: April 2019

Welcome to Delectable's column, Music and Wine! If you’re on the lookout for newly released music, grab your headphones. If you’re searching for a fresh bottle, grab your glass. And if you’re looking for the perfect wine to pair with that pop song you can't stop playing on repeat, then sit back, relax, and enjoy these Delectable tunes. Each month, we will gather a playlist of newly released songs and pair them with wines that hit all the right notes. Listen on Spotify Now 1. Sunflower – Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend’s latest release, Sunflower, takes cues from their professed love of 70s rock and features guest guitarist Steve Lacy of The Internet. Between the funky guitar rhythms and scat singing, there’s a carefree feeling to this track that we think calls for a light and bubbly Champagne, such as a bottle of 2002 Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru Champagne Blend . 2. Missed Connection – The Head and the Heart Folk group The Head and the Heart dive into pop (and a sprinkling of hip-hop influence) with their latest single, Missed Connection. The song is upbeat while the lyrics fuse the history of the band’s formation ten years ago and vocalist Jon Russell’s experience meeting his girlfriend. It’s a song that tests their boundaries, and perfectly demonstrates their desire for a “rebirth”, as described in their press release. Perhaps there is no better pairing then, than a grape that has also gone through a bit of a “rebirth”. Carignan has been known for being difficult to grow and mostly used in blends. Lately, thanks to more studies and image campaigns, it’s been making a case for high-quality and varietal bottlings. We’d suggest the 2016 Sandlands Carignan . 3. Into Me – Lion Babe Lion Babe gives us so many great songs to choose from on their latest album, Cosmic Wind. The R&B Duo presents a dreamlike sound, one that is truly perfect for enjoying with your upcoming rooftop wine get-togethers. “Into Me” has relatively simple lyrics with a docile beat, yet it’s groovy enough to make you want to move your hips or bop your head. We’re thinking this calls for a wine that also doesn’t command attention, but adds that vital carefree and laidback component to your perfect evening out with friends. We’re thinking a 2017 Seven of Hearts Rosé of Pinot Noir . 4. GIRL – Maren Morris GIRL, the album’s namesake song, feels both like a hug and a wakeup call you would get from an older sister. Understanding stems from the lines where Morris acknowledges the listener’s struggles and knows that they’re trying, while encouragement comes from her telling the listener to stop waiting and pick themselves up off the floor. We think a comforting song with powerful messages about womanhood woven into the lines should pair with a nice red made by a woman winemaker. We recommend the 2015 Château La Lagune’s Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend . 5. Hurricanes – Dido After 6 years since her last album, Dido is back with her latest release, Still on My Mind. The common theme of relationships, love, and heartbreak and the strength that comes after can be found throughout the album. Hurricanes is the first song on the album and begins with soft strums of the guitar and Dido’s haunting voice guiding the song towards the more electronic beats that slowly become louder and louder. This song feels almost weightless as it grows, and what could be a better pairing with that than the 2002 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru ? Face the hurricanes with a glass of this layered wine. 6. Light Years – The National Indie rock band The National has released two singles within the past month. While the first, You Had Your Soul With You, was unusually upbeat, their latest, Light Years, returns to the familiar and warm cradle of sound they’ve established so well. The closing tune to their upcoming eighth album tells the story of two lovers who can never seem to understand one another. We think an underrated wine, preferably one that is expressive with a hint of complexity would reflect the song perfectly, such as the 2015 Oliviero Toscani Lumeo . Listen to the previous month's playlist here .