5 Bob Dylan Songs as Wines
Jan 21, 2025
5 Classic Bob Dylan Songs as Wine Styles
The Bob Dylan film featuring the astonishingly talented actor Timothée Chalomet is upon us, so we thought it would be fitting to compare some of Dylan’s greatest songs to wines because... why not?!
Ladies and gentlemen, here are your Bob Dylan Musical 'vinalogies'. Let us know what YOU would chose in the comments below!
🎵THE SONG: Like a Rolling Stone
🍷THE WINE: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This iconic Dylan song redefined the rules of music at the time with unapologetic richness, power and a fabulous ‘belt it out’ chorus. All this makes me think of Napa Cab and how it rewrote the rules of classic, Old World traditions, creating a new breed of modern, iconic, ‘belter’ wines with intense black fruit and bold tannins, commanding attention worldwide. It has also achieved legendary status and continues to define its genre.
🎵THE SONG: Blowing’ in the Wind
🍋THE WINE: Sancerre
In this song, Dylan tackles some fairly deep philosophical questions while keeping a sense of clarity and simplicity with his melody and lyrics. It’s a song that still feels light and fresh with a subtle, introspective complexity that’s not obvious at first. Sancerre’s more subtle style of Sauvignon with its refreshing, grassy character and mineral complexity sums it up - in a glass.
🎵THE SONG: The Times They Are A-Changing
🥂THE WINE: Pét Nat
Dylan’s call for progress in this anthem for change pairs perfectly with the unpredictable, effervescent nature of Pétillant-Naturel wines which, just like Dylan is here, are unfiltered and unconventional. It’s a nod to the idea that innovation often comes from embracing the raw and authentic but also, looking to the past as well as the future. Pét Nat does, after all, pre-date Champagne.
🎵THE SONG: Just Like a Woman
🍷THE WINE: Pinot Noir
In Just Like a Woman, Dylan sings about how his muse can be tender and subtle with grace and femininity while also revealing her human side. Pinot Noir is equally enchanting and delicate yet profound and famously thin skinned so it needs to be treated with gentle care and attention. The rolling melodies and surprising refrains to me, sound Just Like a Pinot.
🎵THE SONG: Visions of Johanna
🩷THE WINE: Provençal Rosé
On the surface, ‘Visions of Johanna’ feels light and poetic, with Dylan’s delivery exuding all the silky elegance of a dry Provençal rosé with its smooth, saline texture. And like a good pink from Provence, the closer you look into the lyrics of the song, the more subtle layers of complexity you discover. Like the wine belies its looks, the song belies its melody. Pretty AND powerful. Wow.
