Finding Meaning in Wine: A US Blend

This book explores controversies in American wine culture and how they intersect with academic and cultural debates about the environment, interpretation, and winemaking. It examines debates about wine evaluation, winemakers as artists, natural wine and biodynamic farming, and how people judge what makes a wine great. It draws upon a range of writers and thinkers and includes extensive interviews with wine writers and California winemakers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricate tapestry of controversies within American wine culture, shedding light on their profound intersections with and contributions to ongoing academic and cultural debates surrounding the environment, interpretation, and the arts. Focusing specifically on the United States, the book employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing upon the methods employed in the study of literature and other artistic mediums to unravel the complexities of wine-making and wine culture. It delves into the spirited debates surrounding the evaluation of wine, exploring the inherent challenges posed by numerical scoring and evaluative tasting notes. Moreover, it examines the intriguing question of whether winemakers can be considered artists, unraveling the rich discourse within wine culture surrounding natural wine and biodynamic farming. Additionally, the book explores the subjective nature of what constitutes a great wine, shedding light on the diverse ways in which people judge and appreciate this esteemed beverage. These interpretative commitments unveil an underlying metaphysics and allegiance to a culture of reason or feeling, engaging with a wide array of influential writers and thinkers, including Roland Barthes, Susan Sontag, Louis Menand, Michael Pollan, Greg Garrard, John Guillory, Amitov Ghosh, Pierre Bourdieu, and Barbara Herrnstein-Smith. The book draws upon a rich tapestry of texts, including those produced by wine critics, wine writers, literary critics, and theorists, as well as extensive interviews with renowned wine writers and multiple California winemakers. These interviews provide a unique and insightful perspective on wine and its profound meaning, enriching the reader's understanding of this captivating subject from cultural, literary, and philosophical angles. Whether you are a seasoned wine enthusiast, a student of the arts, or simply someone seeking to broaden your horizons, this book offers a captivating journey into the world of American wine culture, providing valuable insights and perspectives that will deepen your appreciation for this intricate and fascinating beverage.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032508276