Wine and Music Pairing: Valencia Vas Pleases the Aural and the Oral Senses

Rich. Bold. Nuanced. Delicate. Subtle. Words such as these are used constantly to describe the finer points of a great......... piece of music? Well of course they are. But they are also used just as commonly to describe a great wine. Given that wine and music can share so many of the same descriptive characteristics, it would seem logical that drinking a delicate and crisp Sauvignon Blanc while listening to a delicate and crisp piano sonata would enrich the experience of tasting the wine AND hearing the music. With this wine and music pairing theory in mind, Pop-Classical vocalist Valencia Vas has done something that is both innovative and yet obvious. She created an album of material and matched the characteristics of each song to a wine that shared those very same characteristics. I recently chatted with Valencia Vas about the project.

What inspired you to put together a specific wine pairing for your new album?

We were listening to an advance copy of my debut album, Reflections at a dinner party. A number of people remarked that the music was the perfect accompaniment to a nice glass of wine. Being a wine enthusiast, I thought it would be fun to expand on that observation.

For users who aren't familiar with your music, tell us about it.

I sing pop-classical music. I’ve been compared to Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman, but I tend to think of my music as an amalgam of classical and pop music with world and Americana influences. On my debut album, you’ll hear everything from an American Lullaby to a Handel Aria to a Sultry tango. I am particularly drawn toward soothing melodies and cinematic orchestrations.

What is your background in wine?

As a music student, I worked in a number of restaurants – as a server and a bartender. I think that’s where my fascination with wine and food began. I always enjoyed learning about the wine lists and how choosing the right glass of wine could really influence the culinary experience. I would go home and try out different bottles and play around with different flavor combinations. Needless to say, I’ve been a wine enthusiast ever since.