Jacob’s Creek Wine and Music Tasting Experience

Ever wondered how music can change the taste of wine?

Google “wine and music study” and over 2 million search results come up. A recent study was done in 2014 by Charles Spence, a professor at Oxford University. He ran the world’s largest multi-sensory experience in London to find out how colour and sound affect the flavours in wines: 3,000 people were given a glass of wine to taste while being exposed to changes in light and sound. They found that sound could change the taste and texture of the wine and by listening simultaneously to music it increased your pleasure by 15%.

Keen to try it? Read on to find out how you can conduct your own wine and music tasting experience at home.

TASTING TIPS

Before you get started, here are some quick tasting tips to guide you on your tasting.

What is acidity?
Acidity gives wine its tart and sour taste. Sit for a minute and imagine yourself tasting lemon juice and pay attention to how your mouth puckers just from thinking about it. This sensation is how our mouths anticipate the acidity in lemon juice. When you taste the wine, pay attention to this specific puckering sensation.

What is intensity?
Intensity in wine tasting refers to the flavour. Imagine drinking cordial that was 5 parts water 1-part cordial, the flavour intensity would be low compared to drinking cordial that was 1-part water and 5 parts cordial!

Did you know?

  • The tongue can detect 5 flavours, bitter, salty, sour, sweet and umami.
  • The average adult has between 2,000 to 8,000 taste buds in total.
  • Our ears have around 24,000 sensory cells.

Tasting tips:

  • Look – What’s the colour of the wine? How intense is the colour?
  • Smell – Identify aromas by swirling the wine to aerate it, releasing more aromas.
  • Taste – Asses the different flavours and textures you feel, is the wine sour or sweet? Is it smooth or grippy? Top tip, to taste more, draw air into your mouth and through the wine creating a slurping sound. This will intensify everything because to taste, we use both our senses of taste and smell
  • Think – Did you like the wine? What was your favourite thing about the wine? Remember everyone’s taste is different and you don’t need to be an expert!

READY TO TASTE?

Step 1: Open the Jacob’s Creek curated playlist so you can play the songs listed with each wine.

Step 2: Taste the wine with no music, record your experience on the tasting sheet.

Step 3: Listen to the song listed on the tasting mat for roughly 40 seconds and then taste the wine. Record your experience on the tasting sheet.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 with other song listed for this wine.

Step 5: Repeat step 2 – 4 with all wines

Jacob’s Creek Barossa Signature Riesling

Fruit from selected Eden Valley vineyards resulting in a bright approachable Riesling. Floral and lime notes followed by green apple on the palate.

Song 1: Steve ‘n’ Seagulls: Thunderstruck

Song 2: Maurice Ravel: Pava Pour Une Infante

Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

The full, generous flavours of classic Barossa Shiraz are enhanced by careful use of aged Scotch whisky barrels for finishing.

Song 1: PNAU: Go Bang

Song 2: Crowded House: Better be Home Soon

Jacob’s Creek Barossa Signature Shiraz Tempranillo

A smooth, full-bodied blend of premium Shiraz and Tempranillo showcasing true Barossa character. Aromas of chocolate, plum and coconut and a hint a spice.

Song 1: Metallica: Master of Puppets

Song 2: John Prime: Clay Pigeons