Wine and Philosophy: A Symposium on Thinking and Drinking (Philosophy for Everyone) [Paperback]

Fritz Allhoff (Editor), Paul Draper (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 2007 | Series: Philosophy for Everyone (Book 13)

In Wine & Philosophy, philosophers, wine critics, and winemakers share their passion for wine through well-crafted essays that explore wine’s deeper meaning, nature, and significance

• Joins Food & Philosophy and Beer & Philosophy in in the "Epicurean Trilogy
•  Essays are organized thematically and written by philosophers, wine writers, and winemakers
• Chapters include, “The Art & Culture of Wine”; “Tasting & Talking about Wine”; “Wine & Its Critics”; “The Beauty of Wine”; “The Metaphysics of Wine”; and “The Politics & Economics of Wine”
• Accessible to a general audience while at the same time covering some serious philosophical ground
• Incorporates traditional areas of philosophical study, including philosophy of language, philosophy of perception, aesthetics, metaphysics, ethics and political philosophy
• A great complimentary text to any guided-tour visit to the Napa Valley or other wineries

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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)

Review

“A fascinating symposium that proves one thing: wine is worth thinking about.”
–Hugh Johnson, author of the World Atlas of Wine

“Most wine books are narrow in scope. Not Wine & Philosophy: these far-ranging essays are fascinating and diverse, placing the wine in your glass in a context spanning civilizations and centuries.”
–Stephen Tanzer, editor/publisher, International Wine Cellar

“Wine & Philosophy is remarkably accessible; the writers and winemakers contributing to this work are amazingly accomplished and all have an abiding interest in philosophy, literature, and wine. This combination of scholarship and passion makes for a fascinating, illuminating, and highly entertaining work.”
–Larry Stone, Master Sommelier

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (October 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405154314
• ISBN-13: 978-1405154314
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #652,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sure to make your wine tasting experiences memorable..., July 11, 2008

By 

Tebes "Buchlieber" (Niagara Region, ON) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wine and Philosophy: A Symposium on Thinking and Drinking (Philosophy for Everyone) (Paperback)

First of all, this volume is easier to access than 'Questions of Taste' edited by Barry C. Smith. The essays in this volume range in difficulty - although the majority are relatively straight-forward without resorting to philosophical arguments and meanderings. In 'Questions of Taste', the focus was primarily on aesthetics, our use of wine vocabulary, and subjectivity vs. objectivity and meant for a philosophically-minded audience. In 'Wine & Philosophy' there is a wider range of topics. Some of the essays include:

'Wine in Ancient Greece: Some Platonist Ponderings' - Harold Tarrant - a look at the early history of wine in Greek society, focusing on its importance to the writings to Greek poets and philosophers.

'On and Off the Wagon: Wine and the American Character' - Jonathon Alsop - a brief history of wine in American life, examining the impact of Prohibition and the film 'Sideways'.

'In Vino Sanitas' - Frederick Adolf Paola - an accessible essay about the health benefits of wine

And my two personal favourite essays:
'The Soul of Wine: Digging for Meaning' - Randall Grahm and 'Experiencing Wine: Why Critics Mess Up (Some of the Time)' Jamie Goode - both entertaining and informative, the former focusing on what cannot be criticized in wine analysis and what many of us surely feel when drinking a great bottle of wine 'soul' - the latter essay taking a look at the far-from-perfect world of wine criticism.

This volume offers a great deal more to a wider range of readers. The only essay I found the least interesting (perhaps because I am a Canadian) is 'Shipping Across State Lines: Wine and the Law' - Drew Massey. It's not something I am too concerned about but American readers will certainly find it fascinating as to the difficulties of shipping wine across some state lines.

For those readers who want a pleasant, philosophical and at times, challenging read (three essays, I will admit are a bit heavier in philosophical ideas but well worth the effort), I highly recommend this book. There is enough here to interest readers with varying levels of wine knowledge and appreciation which makes it highly approachable and highly enjoyable.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the highest pleasures, May 23, 2009

By 

Hannah E. Johnson (ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wine and Philosophy: A Symposium on Thinking and Drinking (Philosophy for Everyone) (Paperback)

I am not sure of the right word to describe this book but it is somewhere around impressive and marvelous. The essays chosen for this book and the way they were organized provided a way not just to access avenues for thinking about wine, but a way into thinking about and doing philosophy. The essays are remarkably simple to understand and yet are powerful in what they have to teach and in the manner they challenge the course by which you think about wine, language, perception, beauty, art, metaphysical properties and what is moral. Some of the essays are also highly entertaining arising out of the comical fashion in which they are penned. It is a book for everyone, not just philosophers and surely not just for wine consumers.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new perspective on wine drinking, April 26, 2009

By 

Carlos A. Barbosa - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wine and Philosophy: A Symposium on Thinking and Drinking (Philosophy for Everyone) (Paperback)

The differents points of view concerning the experience of wine drinking are the main intereswt on this reading. I do recomend.