Paul Simon’s solo work spans over fifty years and touches every emotional register, just like the incredibly diverse world of Italian wine. Whether you’re nursing a heartbreak or dancing in your living room, there’s a Paul Simon album—and an Italian vino—to suit the mood.
This is the second of two parts of an imaginative and, of course, very subjective, guide that pairs Paul Simon’s solo studio albums from 1965 – 2023 with an Italian grape variety or wine that complements each one’s vibe.
To read the first part and to learn more about the context for this project, head here.
Cheers! And happy listening.
The Rhythm of the Saints (1990)
Cirò Bianco
Where Graceland leaned into South African influences, Rhythm of the Saints looked to Brazil. It’s textural, mysterious, and rhythmically dense, less pop and more meditative.
Wine Pairing
Cirò Bianco, made from Greco Bianco grapes grown on Calabria’s sun-drenched Ionian coast, is mineral-driven and subtly herbal, echoing the album’s earthy, layered textures. Just as the album blends Afro-Brazilian percussion with contemplative lyrics, Cirò Bianco balances ancient roots with quiet sophistication—a wine for deep listening and deeper thinking.
You’re the One (2000)
Pecorino
Simon returned to familiar songwriting territory here: philosophical lyrics, tight arrangements, and elegant production. It’s clean, contemporary, and confident.
Wine Pairing
Dolcetto (meaning “little sweet one”) offers a juicy, accessible profile—plum, black cherry, and violets—yet is dry, with a touch of bitterness on the finish. Much like this album, Dolcetto is underestimated; it’s playful yet layered, structured yet unconcerned with showmanship.
Surprise (2006)
Cornalin
Produced with Brian Eno, this album features ambient textures and electronic flourishes over Simon’s classic folk-pop songwriting. It’s bold, experimental, and reflective of a restless creative spirit.
Wine Pairing
Cornalin, hailing from Italy’s tiny and mountainous region of Val d’Aosta, is a rare, bold and complex wine —an edgy match for this sonic curveball in Simon’s discography.
So Beautiful or So What (2011)
Etna Bianco
A spiritual, philosophical album that contemplates mortality and meaning. It’s light on its feet but full of lyrical weight, a balancing act done beautifully.
Wine Pairing
Made principally from Carricante grapes grown on an active volcano, Etna Bianco wines are refined and lyrical just like the shimmering tone of this album: questioning, uplifting, and poetically structured.
Stranger to Stranger (2016)
Timorasso
An album where Simon pushes sonic boundaries using unusual instruments and rhythms. It’s playful, strange, and full of joy.
Wine Pairing
From Piemonte, Timorasso is an unusual white with aging potential, mineral depth, and wild aromatics. This suits Stranger to Stranger’s exploratory spirit.
Seven Psalms (2023)
Valtellina
A continuous piece of meditative, spiritually resonant music, Seven Psalms is a late-career reflection on mortality, God, and meaning. It’s quiet, solemn, and beautifully crafted.
Wine Pairing
Grown on steep alpine terraces, Valtellina is an ethereal expression of Nebbiolo (known as Chiavennasca locally). While the wines are light in body and color, they are hauntingly aromatic and have a defined acidity. Like Seven Psalms, it rewards silence, attention, and contemplation. Sip slowly, with reverence.
