To juice up the situation, because I like to hear music when I taste wine, I also asked what music they'd wish to drink it by--if they also found a CD player washed up on the sand, a month's supply of batteries.
There were no duplicates, though red wines lead the field so far. A few exceptions flowed in. One said she'd prefer Gin & Tonic fueled by Hall & Oates. She's a contrarian and didn't like my premise.
Several would pick beer, and one is still pondering what wine. Mostly, they played along, and said, in no particular order:
Chateau Margaux, I think, with Rostropovitch and Britten bittersweet Schubert, Schumann and Debussy (London 1962, 1969.) This comes from a witty, literate, widow who hides out half the year in a remote cabin in Montana, so she knows what wine works best. I suspect the Britten CD is already in her player.
Chateau Margaux got a 2nd vote...the only duplicate in my survey. A friend who grew up attending French schools also named it. As 2nd choice he'd take a Romaine Conti; for music: Mozart (any/all) and/or Dylan. I trust this man as the one most grounded in French culture, and at the same time, someone familiar with our own American tendencies. In the few times I have had lunch at his home, we usually have ham sandwiches and a simple French table wine.
Rombauer Chardonnay and Beethoven (ALL), which I take to mean
anything/everything he composed. This comes from a crusty old journalist who has had his share of good scotch, bad beer, and newsrooms permeated by the stink of ink. He's a fine man to drink with, but surprised me with the Beehoven. I figgered he would pick some old blues player straight out of Kansas City or Chicago.
Fonseca 1994 Vintage Port is the choice of another old friend with classical tastes, and he'd rather hear Terry Gross interview a musician..but lacking NPR connection on the island, will accept the Clash or Hendrix(rock); ACDC (heavy metal); Brandenburg Concerto-w/Adolph Scherbaum on 2nd trumpet) (classical); Willie or Hank Williams (C/W); Etta James, Miles Davis or the Marsalis Family (jazz); or John Cage (new music). I'm having trouble featuring Cage and Fonseca, this guy lived in Aberdeen, WA for a long time.
Barolo and Mahler? answered another--a 70-ish attorney, raised in Paris by a serious musician. He doesn't drink much, but his taste seems unimpaired. I like his choice..perched on a mossy rock hearing Liebsong von der Erde over a glass of big Barolo? Not bad. I plan to test it.
A serious (published) novelist says he can't comment on wine. He considers it "a lesser beverage." but offers a youthful recollection: Strawberry Hill and Led Zeppelin.
On a desert island? Why not?
Then he kindly adds "The Clash," London Calling."
A different kind of non-comformist said, "No music, please. Just peace and quiet and wine." She picked Abeja Vineyards Cab...still a young outfit, but with wines that already are tasty and promise to improve; they are made by John Abbott, who made Cane Ridge a favorite for many Walla Walla wine drinkers.
Another non-comformist [a recovering headmaster who managed a local nonprofit] rejects the wine and says he'd pick
"Perfect Porter," no longer made, and for the music, Mark Knopfler, Randy Newman, and Yo Yo Ma.
A fishing buddy (Hugh Barrett from the badlands of Oregon) says I can use his name in reporting that he would pick a Gnarly Head Zin and Van Morrison's classic album, Poetic Champions Compose.
An old pal in Texas who does not support Rick Perry said she'd prefer
a crisp chardonnay...she did not name a vineyard or year. As for music? She'd like to hear David Byrne's Everything that Happens Will Happen Today....a collaboration with Brian Eno. It's ethereal and breezy..the little I heard. One critic refers to "warm, liquid guitars," in case you don't know their work. If you need a suggestion for a chardonnay, consider Cakebread Cellars or Raymond.
Another attorney (still undecided) asked "Is it a mixed case?" I answered aren't they all? He finally told me he'd pick a Zinfandel from Napa...Probably a Hedges/Rutherford. Music?---
One desiccated brother who used to drink red jug wine until his head rolled off his shoulders now says he'd pick a Malbec from Patagonia side of Argentina, and a CD of Gershwin tunes.
My baby brother (who considers himself a connoisseur of Italian wines) picked a Del Dotto (California) Cabernet or maybe a Quilceda Cab...
---I think he meant the Del Dotto Bin 887, which won big praise from Parker. But he threw my music theory off the track, adding that he'd pick a corny novelty tune from the 50s..."I've Got A Lovely Bunch of Coconuts." His wife confirms the Del Dotto, but her musical taste is more refined. She picked ...
My (youngest) son, still finding his way in the wine world, names
CMS (Hedges) 2009...A blend of Cab/Merlot/Syrah; the CD he'd pick is Built to Spill, a rock band from Boise, ID.
I don't know about the music, but the wine is tasty.
Here's a sample of their music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6RoJ4GIM9k&feature=related
MY OWN PICKs:
ROBERT KARL Claret (Spokane)
Their cab and syrah (2008) both rated higher by Parker, but claret's just fine.
Music:
Vivaldi The Four Seasons (Summer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BsBbtp4gW4&feature=related
or
Miles Davis: I Fall in Love too Easily
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK8JlTlhnjw&feature=related
For context only, I recall the wonderful scene in Jules et Jim (1962/Truffaut) when Jean Moreau babbles to Jim and Jules about the remarkable features of French wines.
Look at the clarets! she says. Chateau Lafite, Chateau Margaux…St. Emilien, Chateau Y’ Quem....the best in Europe…
The burgundies, she goes on: Martane , Chambertin, Beaume, Pommard, Chablis, Volnais, Beaumarchai, Pouilly Fuisse, Moulin A Vent, Fleurie, Mourgon, St. Amour...
and the men ignore her, until she leaps up, flirtatious, and says, "Catch me!" and runs off. They, inevitably drawn to her, chase.
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