Tuesday 12 May 2026 1:10 pm
Music and Wine: The Ultimate Summer Pairing
If music is the food of love, no wonder it pairs so well with wine. Many great wine houses have recognized this, and none more perfectly than Krug Champagne, which has collaborated with renowned composers to create truly exceptional artistic experiences.
In February, I was invited to the Roundhouse in London’s Chalk Farm for an evening entitled Every Note Counts. Krug’s approach is original: Cellar Master Julie Cavil works with composers—most recently the celebrated Max Richter—to taste the wines, discuss them, and over many months create musical pieces that reflect what is in the glass. Cavil describes her job of winemaking as being like that of a conductor, working out what harmonizes well together and what should be a solo. The similarities do not end there. Wine is subjective, like music, and sensation-led. It is an experience that brings people together but is ultimately individual. No one can taste, smell, or be moved in exactly the same way.
Music Proven to Change How Wine Tastes
Cavil and Richter’s collaboration resulted in a breathtaking evening as guests sipped glasses of Krug while listening to the compositions it had inspired. A soloist sang while we drank Krug’s Clos d’Ambonnay, and this experience was my favorite pairing of the night. Krug 2008 (£568, Berry Bros & Rudd) was paired with an orchestral ensemble, and the Grand Cuvée 173ème edition (£255, Harrods) had the room vibrating from the full 35-piece orchestra. All the symphonies can be heard on Krug’s website, and you might as well listen with a glass of 2008 in hand.
This represents the very upper echelons of wine and music blending, but there are plenty of other collaborations to enjoy as we head into summer. It is interesting to see which musical style appeals to different winemakers.
English Wine and Orchestral Partnerships
In March, England’s Chapel Down announced its partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Both share a commitment to modern British creativity. Expect to sip this excellent English wine at the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and at all their concerts.
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival has partnered with Rathfinny Wine Estate to launch a Sparkling Wine Garden for the first weekend of July. The festival’s mix of jazz, soul, and R&B matches Rathfinny’s relaxed yet refined style, and the fact they are neighbors in East Sussex aligns with the estate’s B Corp status and focus on local community.
Wine, DJs, and Live Performances
I cannot think of a better way to spend summer than dancing and drinking in the English countryside. Tinwood near Chichester hosts DJs, live performances, and entertainment at their Summer Party on 30th May (over 25s only). Hambledon Wine Estate is putting on a more relaxed affair with their Jazz & Fizz festival over the first two weekends of August. Each ticket comes with a glass of Hambledon’s classic cuvée and a designated deck chair.
Listening to music has been proven to influence and change how wine feels and tastes. The Balfour Dining Club Music Sessions from Kent’s Balfour Wine Estate mix live music performances with tutored wine tastings and a four-course meal.
Whether listening to Krug’s compositions at home, nodding along from a sunny deckchair at Hambledon, or dancing to R&B with Rathfinny, there is a wine and music pairing for each of us.
