Wine and Philosophy

Fritz Allhoff, PhD, is an assistant professor of philosophy at Western Michigan University. He is the co-editor of Food & Philosophy (with Dave Monroe, Blackwell, 2008). He enjoys, especially, Napa and Russian River wines as well as wine travel around the world.

"The complexity and subtlety of the distinctions made by master tasters is quite astonishing, and is all the more interesting when comparing notes with others." (Network Review, 1 June 2011) "It turns out that not only have reputable psychologists at well-respected institutions done experimental studies on this effect, but it also serves as a kind of foul point for various philosophical questions. The works set out to address the intersection between philosophy and areas of everyday general concern: food, wine, and beer. In addition to straightforward philosophical discussions, the volumes include historical discussions, legal questions, some personal reflections.” (Gastronomica, Fall 2008)"It has some of the best, thoughtful essays about wine and health, winemaking, wine appreciation, wine jargon and wine writers...a very smart book about wine." (InsideBayArea.com)“A truly well rounded view…and a critical reflection on what and how we eat can contribute to a robust enjoyment of gastronomic pleasures.” (Gourmet Retailer)“A rare treat. These grape-stained craftsmen dive into their subjects with Socratic gusto. Nuggets of wit … throughout.” (Wine Enthusiast)

• List of Figures viiiForeword by Paul Draper ixAcknowledgments xiPlanting the Vines: An Introduction 1Fritz AllhoffI The Art & Culture of Wine 131 Wine in Ancient Greece: Some Platonist Ponderings 15Harold Tarrant2 On and Off the Wagon: Wine and the American Character 30Jonathon Alsop3 Muse in a Stem Glass: Art, Wine, and Philosophy 44Kirsten Ditterich-Shilakes4 In Vino Sanitas 63Frederick Adolf PaolaII Tasting & Talking about Wine 795 Mmmm . . . not Aha! Imaginative vs. Analytical Experiences of Wines 81John Dilworth6 Talk about Wine? 95Kent Bach7 Winespeak or Critical Communication? Why People Talk about Wine 111Keith Lehrer and Adrienne LehrerIII Wine & Its Critics 1238 What the Wine Critic Tells Us 125John W. Bender9 Experiencing Wine: Why Critics Mess Up (Some of the Time) 137Jamie GoodeIV The Beauty of Wine 15510 You’ll Never Drink Alone: Wine Tasting and Aesthetic Practice 157Douglas Burnham and Ole Martin Skilleås11 Who Cares If You Like It, This Is a Good Wine Regardless 172George Gale12 Listening to the Wine Consumer: The Art of Drinking 186Steve ChartersV Wine & Metaphysics 20313 Is There Coffee or Blackberry in My Wine? 205Kevin W. Sweeney14 The Soul of Wine: Digging for Meaning 219Randall Grahm15 The Notion of Terroir 225Matt KramerVI The Politics & Economics of Wine 23516 Wine-Tasting Epiphany: An Analysis of the 1976 California vs. France Tasting 237Orley Ashenfelter, Richard E. Quandt, and George M. Taber17 The Old World and the New: Worlds Apart? 248Warren Winiarski18 Taste How Expensive This Is: A Problem of Wine and Rationality 257Justin Weinberg19 Shipping across State Lines: Wine and the Law 275Drew MasseyNotes on Contributors 288Index 295