The Method to the Madness
How to match what you’re hearing with what you’re drinking, and why it actually matters.
Introduction
Okay, so you might be thinking “music and wine pairing? Is this real or are you just making stuff up?” Fair question. Here’s the thing: taste isn’t just what’s on your tongue. It’s what’s in your ears, what you’re feeling, where you are, who you’re with. Music changes how we experience everything. So why would wine be different?
This isn’t some scientific formula. It’s about vibe, energy, texture, and paying attention to how things make you feel. But there are patterns. And once you see them, you can’t unsee them.
The Basics: What to Listen For
Tempo & Body
Fast tempo = Lighter body
High-energy tracks (EDM, upbeat pop, punk) pair better with lighter, more refreshing wines. Think crisp whites, rosés, sparkling wines. Your drink should match the pace.
Slow tempo = Fuller body
Slow jams, lo-fi beats, neo-soul. These call for wines with more weight. Reds with depth, full-bodied whites, anything that makes you want to sip, not gulp.
Mood & Flavor Profile
Aggressive/Intense Music → Bold, Complex Wines
Heavy rock, rap with hard beats, dubstep drops. These need wines that can hold their own. Big reds, spiced blends, anything with attitude.
Smooth/Mellow Music → Balanced, Easy-Drinking Wines
R&B, acoustic, chill electronica pair these with wines that don’t demand attention but reward it. Medium-bodied reds, easy whites, anything that feels like a conversation, not a lecture.
Experimental/Genre-Bending Music → Unconventional Wine Blends
When the artist is mixing genres, your wine should too. Try unexpected combinations, unique blends, anything that makes you go “wait, that works?”
Genre Breakdowns
R&B / Soul
Wine Match: Medium to full-bodied reds, oaked Chardonnay, dessert wines
Why: R&B is smooth but layered. It’s emotional depth with polish. Your wine should have complexity without being aggressive, think Merlot, Malbec, or a buttery Chardonnay.
Playlist Examples: SZA, Daniel Caesar, Silk Sonic
Pour: Something that makes you slow down and actually taste it
Hip Hop / Rap
Wine Match: Bold reds, champagne, anything with presence
Why: Hip hop doesn’t apologize. Neither should your wine. Big flavor, confident structure, something that commands the room. Cabernet, Syrah, or if you’re celebrating, champagne all day.
Playlist Examples: Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the Creator, Megan Thee Stallion
Pour: Whatever makes you feel like the main character
Rock
Wine Match: Structured reds, rustic blends, natural wines
Why: Rock has grit. Raw, unpolished, authentic. Go for wines with tannins, earth, texture things that feel real, not manufactured.
Playlist Examples: The White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age
Pour: Something with an edge
EDM / Electronic
Wine Match: Sparkling wines, crisp whites, rosé
Why: EDM is about energy, movement, layers building. Your wine should be effervescent, bright, refreshing something that keeps the momentum going.
Playlist Examples: Flume, Disclosure, Odesza
Pour: Anything bubbly or with high acidity
Dubstep
Wine Match: Complex blends, experimental wines, anything genre-defying
Why: Dubstep borrows from everywhere and refuses to stay in one lane. Your wine should too. Try blends you’ve never heard of, small-batch experiments, wines that surprise you.
Playlist Examples: Excision, Zomboy, Skrillex
Pour: The bottle that makes people ask “what is that?”
Christian / Gospel
Wine Match: Elegant whites, rosé, light reds
Why: Gospel has soul and reverence. It’s powerful but not aggressive. Go for wines that feel uplifting something bright, clean, refreshing.
Playlist Examples: Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Pour: Something that feels like a celebration
The Feeling Method
Forget the rules for a second. Here’s the real guide:
- Put on a song you love
- Close your eyes and feel it
- Ask yourself:
- Is this heavy or light?
- Does it make me want to move or sink into the couch?
- Is it simple or layered?
- What color does this song feel like?
- Match your wine to those answers
That’s it. That’s the method.
Pro Tips
• Trust your instincts – If it feels right, it probably is
• Don’t overthink it – Pairing isn’t a test, it’s an experiment
• Context matters – Solo listening needs different wine than a party
• Break the rules – The best pairings sometimes make no sense on paper
• Keep notes – When you find a perfect match, write it down
Your Turn
Try this tonight:
- Pick a song or playlist
- Grab a wine (or make one of our recipes)
- Pay attention to how they interact
- Share your findings: Tag us @networkrootscellar
Want Pre-Made Pairings?
Every recipe on this site comes with a curated playlist pairing. We’ve done the work, you just have to pour and press play.