“Song, song of the South

Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth

Gone, gone with the wind

There ain't nobody looking back again”

"Song of the South," a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music group Alabama reached No. 1 on both the U.S. and Canadian country charts in 1988. This is one of those “feel good” songs that builds a memory and takes you to another time and place. For me, it takes me to my youth and the long hot summers of growing up in Alabama.

Guess what? “Wine anchors great memories,” too. That’s a quote from David Mirassou of Mirassou Winery. However with wine, we use those memories to help us articulate the sensation we are experiencing in the wine. Stephen Clark, owner of A&G Beverages often speaks of this when we host our wine education classes. He offers up the advice that a glass of wine should not be considered a drink; it should be considered an experience. The smell, the taste, the mouth-feel and the finish will offer up some personal memories from a certain place and time. For example, anyone growing up in the South can recall childhood memories of enjoying the sweet succulent taste of honeysuckle. That experience could help you identify that aroma or flavor in your glass of wine.

Winemakers have also realized that creating the right visual cues can help spark memories. Pleasant memories usually help persuade the customer in the buying decision; that is why millions of dollars are spent designing the right wine label. And just like the cover on a book, the label should set the stage for the product inside. These wine “covers” have evolved over time and are now flashy or “catchy” with a certain theme in mind. Getting back to “Song of the South,” I picked up four bottles of wine with labels that reminded me of my childhood during those long hot summers of Alabama:

Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling Lighthouse Scene 2014

Well-balanced palate, hint of exotic fruit, crisp, refreshing and straight forward.

Tin Roof Cellars 2012 Chardonnay

Smooth and rich, with fresh, creamy apple and citrus flavors enhanced by subtle oak tones and a crisp, refreshing finish.

Cannonball 2014 Merlot

A full silky entry with sophisticated structure, wonderful concentration and playful texture peeking through. An engaging finish of fresh cherries, rich chocolate and spiced cake.

Frog’s Leap 2012 Cabernet

Deep, cassis-currant aromas, classic notes of ‘Rutherford Dust,’ and earthen flavors of cedar and black olive.