Irrigation usually enters wine discussions via viticultural practices, water policy, regional regulation, or sustainability. But irrigation also shapes what wine tastes like and what we
Category: Wine Culture
When Is a Wine Flaw No Longer a Flaw?
In wine culture, wine faults create fierce disagreements. Some people find volatile acidity thrilling. For others, a hint of it will cause them to pour
Why Aromas Defeat Language
Wine tasting notes are full of nouns that reference fruits and other aromatic substances. These are helpful in giving readers a foothold in understanding a
Wine Criticism Should Explain How Wine Works
Most wine writing tells us three things: whether the critic liked the wine, what the wine smells and tastes like, and how good it is
Is Terroir a Sensory Fact, a Story, or a Critical Practice?
Terroir may be the most important word in wine and also one of the least useful when left unexplained. Some people treat terroir as an
The Aesthetics of Freshness: Is it Liberation or a New Orthodoxy
Freshness is now everywhere in wine. It is how we describe lower alcohol, higher acidity, less extraction, less oak, and early picking on the production
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 