Judging wine is pretty much completely random.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed in front of a wall of wine at the store? Did you reach for the cheapest one, or the second cheapest, just in case? Or did you pick the most expensive one from the menu to impress your date? Did you notice a difference?
A study of 6,000 blind tastings in the US found that people—unless they have gone through wine training—actually enjoy expensive wines less, but will prefer it if they know its high price, according to another study.
Certified professionals are none the better at judging Gods’ nectar: When surreptitiously given three wines, only one in 10 judges at a California fair awarded it the same medal.
So, what are you drinking tonight?
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.
Photo Credit: Poplasen
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