Top 5 songs about wine

WINE IN MUSIC

Wine can be a true source of inspiration for musicians. Proof is in the videos. Enjoy the sonic tasting!

1) Old Red Wine - The Who (2004)

The song "Old Red Wine," composed by the British band The Who, is a tribute to bassist John Entwistle. Entwistle, who passed away in 2002, was a big fan of red wine.

2) The Cat Empire - Wine Song (2003)

"Wine Song" is a track by the Australian band The Cat Empire. It's a true ode to wine and celebration, with the band proclaiming that "if they ever found gold, they would buy unspeakable bottles of the nectar of the vines."

3) Georges Brassens - Le Vin (1957)

How could Georges Brassens, a musician and performer of immense talent and a great bon vivant, not dedicate a song to wine? In 1957, he celebrated "the juice of October" in his song "Le Vin," which playfully entertains and makes our mouths water. Here’s a snippet: "Alas! It never rains the dark blue that stains." "Let them give wine, and I'll finally milk the cows," "Let the time come when wine flows in the Seine, and people by the thousands will come to drown their sorrows..."

4) Summer Wine - Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood (1954)

Composed and performed by Nancy Sinatra (Frank Sinatra’s daughter) and Lee Hazlewood, the song "Summer Wine" marks the beginning of a great collaboration between the two musicians. "Summer Wine" was covered by Lana Del Rey in 2013 and also featured in the film "Stoker" directed by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook.

5) Ah, the Little White Wine! - Lina Margy (1943)

From the first notes, "Ah, the Little White Wine!" puts us in a cheerful mood. With a voice reminiscent of Edith Piaf and a lively tone, musette singer Lina Margy invites us to celebrate and drink "little white wine" in Nogent-sur-Marne "under the arbors, when the girls are beautiful." A surprising song, written during World War II, one of the darkest periods in French history...

FAQ - Wine and music

What are the most famous French songs about wine?

Two titles come up often. Georges Brassens pays tribute to the "juice of October" in his 1957 song Le Vin, and Lina Margy celebrates the little white wine of Nogent-sur-Marne in Ah, le petit vin blanc!, released in 1943. Both are classics of French song that link wine to celebration and good cheer.

Which English-language songs are about wine?

Our selection includes three. The Who released Old Red Wine in 2004 as a tribute to their bassist John Entwistle, the Australian band The Cat Empire recorded The Wine Song in 2003, and Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood performed Summer Wine in 1966. That last track was later covered by Lana Del Rey in 2013.

What music should you play during an apéritif or a wine tasting?

A playlist that blends French songs with English-language tracks on the theme of wine sets the mood right away. Alternate a Brassens or a Lina Margy with Summer Wine or The Wine Song to accompany your glasses. Keep the tempo light and festive, just like an apéritif with friends.

Who originally sang Summer Wine?

Summer Wine was written and performed in 1966 by Nancy Sinatra, Frank Sinatra's daughter, in a duet with Lee Hazlewood. The song marked the start of a long collaboration between the two artists. It also features in Stoker, the 2013 film by South Korean director Park Chan-wook.

Why does wine inspire so many songs?

Wine is tied to celebration, the table and sharing, all themes close to artists' hearts. It becomes in turn a tribute to a lost friend, an ode to the joy of living or a playful wink. From the 1940s to the 2000s, it crosses styles and languages, proof that music and wine remain closely linked.