Epistenology: Wine as Experience (Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History)

"We think we know how to appreciate wine-trained connoisseurs take dainty sips in sterile rooms and provide ratings based on objective knowledge and technical expertise. In Epistenology, Nicola Perullo vigorously challenges this approach, arguing that it is the enjoyment of drinking wine as an active and participatory experience that matters. Perullo argues that wine comes to life not in the abstract space of the professional tasting but in the real world of shared experiences; wines can change in these encounters, and drinkers along with them. Just as a winemaker is not simply a producer but a nurturer, a wine is fully known only through an encounter among a group of drinkers in a specific place and time. Wine is not an object to analyze but an experience to make, creatively opening up new perceptual possibilities for settings, cuisines, and companions. The result of more than twenty years of research and practical engagement, Epistenology presents a new paradigm for the enjoyment of wine and through it a philosophy based on participatory and relational knowledge. This model suggests a profound shift-not knowledge about but with wine. Interweaving philosophical arguments with personal reflections and literary examples, this book is a journey with wine that shows how it makes life more creative and free"-- Provided by publisher We think we know how to appreciate wine-trained connoisseurs takedainty sips in sterile rooms and provide ratings based on objectiveknowledge and technical expertise. In Epistenology, NicolaPerullo vigorously challenges this approach, arguing that it is theenjoyment of drinking wine as an active and participatoryexperience that matters. Perullo argues that wine comes to life notin the abstract space of the professional tasting but in the realworld of shared experiences; wines can change in these encounters,and drinkers along with them. Just as a winemaker is not simply aproducer but a nurturer, a wine is fully known only through anencounter among a group of drinkers in a specific place and time.Wine is not an object to analyze but an experience to make,creatively opening up new perceptual possibilities for settings,cuisines, and companions. The result of more than twenty years ofresearch and practical engagement, Epistenology presents anew paradigm for the enjoyment of wine and through it a philosophybased on participatory and relational knowledge. This modelsuggests a profound shift-not knowledge about butwith wine. Interweaving philosophical arguments withpersonal reflections and literary examples, this book is a journeywith wine that shows how it makes life more creative and free