These past few days, I’ve been preparing for an exam to deepen my knowledge about the world of wine. Let me tell you, studying hasn’t been easy—being a mom and, well, let’s just say not being in my 20s anymore doesn’t help 😉 What’s struck me the most is just how overwhelming the wine world can be. There’s so much to learn—villages, DOs, soils, grape varieties, clones… the list goes on. And while I’ve learned a lot, there’s still so much more to explore 🤓😓 But here’s the thing: the more I study, the more I realize we’re putting all this time and effort into learning for ourselves or for others in the industry who understand our “wine geek” language. But we`re not doing enough to make this knowledge accessible to the everyday wine lover. The average consumer doesn’t need to know where Garnacha is grown in France or every nuance of terroir. What they want to know is: • What wine should I buy if I’m looking for something light, fresh, with red fruit flavors, and affordable? That’s it. Once they’ve got that, maybe they’ll branch out to more complex blends or explore pricier bottles—but it starts with us meeting them where they are. It’s made me rethink how we share what we know. Wine should be fun, approachable, and—most importantly—something everyone can enjoy without feeling intimidated. Let’s bridge that gap! What do you think? How can we, as an industry, make wine knowledge more consumer-friendly?
Mercedes Carbajo’s Post
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The great writer Daniel Pink has been a long time hero of mine, he thinking, his challenges to our conventional wisdoms, expectations still many years down the track still hold true today. Pink speaks of many matters relating to motivation but this one struck me as being one of the most purposeful when I think about what is happening in the world of wine. Pink describes great leaders as being able to be described in once sentence , Lincoln. ,Truman, Churchill, Chifley et al, all could be described in one sentence the problem with wine is that it cannot be described in one sentence and therefore there is no common agreement or understanding about the impact of wine in our lives. The question would be if we were to describe wine in once sentence what would it look like and would it be universally accepted, its not wines fault that it has lost its way, engagement is declining, sales are declining this is not the fault of wine but those who profit from its sale. I checked in with AI to ask this question, the response was quiet interesting. "Wines purpose in the world is to bring people together , enhance culinary experiences, and to serve as a cultural expression of the land, history and craftsmanship" I think it hits the nail on the head- wine has possibly lost its purpose with many people, maybe our job is to help others find the purpose once again. If I was to give it a crack I would say : "Wines purpose is to capture the essence of nature and time, transforming simple grapes into a shared experience that connects people across, cultures, generations and experiences"
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🍷 Is “Sideways” Still Shaping How We Perceive Wine? 🍇 I recently came across this insightful article from New Wine Review, titled "Is Sideways the Problem?", which delves into the lingering effects of the film Sideways on wine culture and consumer preferences—especially when it comes to Merlot. For those of us who work with or appreciate wine, it's fascinating to consider how a movie from nearly two decades ago continues to shape perceptions and preferences. I’d love to hear your thoughts: Does “Sideways” still impact what you see in the wine industry today? Thoughts around the "cringy tasting notes"? Have you observed any other unexpected pop culture influences on the wines people choose? Let’s start a conversation on how cultural phenomena impact the world of wine. 🍇✨ Share your perspective in the comments! https://lnkd.in/gH3Qi5YT
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How do you get started with wine? Honestly, I’ve been there. Unlike my co-founder Edo, who grew up on a winery and practically has wine in his DNA, I was a casual wine drinker until about 8 months ago. If you’d asked me to describe a wine back then, I wouldn’t have known where to start besides telling you the color. Wine can feel like a massive, overwhelming world when you first dive in. The terminology, the tasting notes, the grape varieties… it can seem like everyone around you is a pro. But the truth is, most people are learning too! Here are a few things I’ve learned from my own journey into the wine world: 🍇 Everyone starts somewhere A lot of people sound super professional, but the reality is they might not be as deep into the topic as they seem. Don’t be intimidated by technical terms – just focus on enjoying the experience. 🍷 Wine is endless – but that’s the fun part! Yes, there are tons of grape varieties, aromas, and production techniques. But instead of stressing about becoming an expert overnight, just start. Enjoy the process of learning step by step. ✨ Wine is about enjoyment At its core, wine is about enjoying the moment. Whether you’re having a glass with friends or discovering a new bottle, it’s not just about knowledge – it’s about pleasure. 👥 The wine community is diverse I’ve met so many different people interested in wine – from professionals who’ve studied it, to business leaders, doctors, and students. There’s no single ‘wine expert’ persona, and that’s what makes it so exciting. You never know who will surprise you with their knowledge! 👉 For anyone feeling intimidated by the world of wine: Just dive in. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn (and enjoy) along the way! I can definitely recommend to start with Wine Podcasts and going to Wine Shops to get some insights.
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Christian Ogenfuss isn’t just a name that rolls smoothly off the tongue; he’s a powerhouse of wine knowledge and a genuine advocate for change within the industry. Tune into this episode of Wine Talks, where Paul K and Christian Ogenfuss unravel the layers of this time-honored craft. From the painstaking patience required in grape growing to the unique camaraderie found in Bordeaux, you'll discover why the wine industry is like no other. They venture into how the industry, traditionally slow to adapt, is now grappling with the demands of modernity in technology, inclusion, and environmental care. Learn how diversity is sprouting new vines of opportunity, like the tale of an intern who, inspired by women in wine, pursued an enology degree at Cornell. You’ll be taken through the rigorous journey of the WSET diploma, a two-five year program that stands as a pinnacle of wine education, producing graduates who aim for the title of Masters of Wine. Marvel at the evolution of wine marketing, from historical events saturated with a select few elite to today's flood of digital advertisements offering too-good-to-be-true deals. Discover the intricacies of wine packaging and the growing trends that challenge tradition, whether it's wines in cans or Tetra packs. Christian also spills the wine, so to speak, on why experiencing regions like Burgundy first-hand is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of winemaking and why standardized language in wine education can be both a bridge and a barrier. Alongside explorations of the ever-changing roles in hospitality, the wine-social experience, and overcoming the industry's historical exclusions, this episode promises not just to enlighten but to inspire. So pour yourself a glass and brace for a fascinating odyssey into the world of wine – a journey where tradition meets transformation. YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g9Fqh5xx Apple: https://lnkd.in/gueSWC-t Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gSPBPvyt Wine Talks: https://lnkd.in/gxf4D38q
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TechnoHacks EduTech TechnoHacks EduTech Official Task 5 : Wine quality prediction Use a dataset containing wine features to predict the quality of the wine. The datasets can be viewed as classification or regression tasks. The classes are ordered and not balanced (e.g. there are much more normal wines than excellent or poor ones).
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Ready to bust some wine and metaphor myths? Myth: Metaphors in wine descriptions are just flowery language without real impact. 🤔 Ever wondered why some wine descriptions just "click"? It's not just fancy words—it's metaphorical competence at work! Understanding and using metaphors can transform your wine tasting experience. Here's why: 🔍 Decode Complexity: Metaphors help us break down and understand the intricate flavours and aromas of wine. Describing a wine as "brooding" conveys its dark, concentrated character, hinting at complexity and depth simmering just below the surface. 🧠 Aid Memory: Metaphors create vivid and relatable images that make wine characteristics easier to remember. Associating a wine as “complex” helps us understand the multiple layers of flavours or using the JOURNEY metaphor about the process of fermentation or it's aging potential using human-like qualities of a wine (these are called as anthorpomorphic metaphors) creates lasting impressions, helping both novices and experts recall their tasting experiences more accurately. 🌍 Cultural and Contextual Awareness: Metaphorical competence also means recognizing how metaphors vary across cultures and languages. This awareness allows for more inclusive and resonant wine communication, ensuring that wine lovers from different backgrounds connect with and enjoy the wine experience. 🥂 Stay tuned for more insights in our Wine and Metaphor Myth Busting series. Cheers to a deeper understanding and enjoyment of wine! 🍷 #WineEducation #Metaphor #Wine #TastingProficiency #WineLovers #WineCommunication #CulturalAwareness #CulturalCompetence #SensoryResearch #Linguistics #Marketing
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Jim was sharing the review of the Chardonnay he had just tasted. Then he looked perplexed and added, “𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝘂𝘇𝘂 𝗶𝘀.” This is exactly why decrypting wine reviews is such an interesting exercise and a great learning opportunity. While Jim may have been helped by knowing what Yuzu or Asian pear tastes like, let’s try to reverse-engineer these descriptions into more familiar aroma categories. Yuzu is a citrus fruit cultivated in Asia and has become quite popular in the West. Finding this info on the web takes seconds, and now let’s go back to... …well, what does it mean for the wine? We can probably expect a citrusy flavor and probably some sour taste. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. Rather than being disappointed by not knowing about these exotic notes that wine critics love to use, I encourage wine tasters to translate the reviews they read on back labels into aroma categories they are more familiar with. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴? Find the link in the comment below.⬇️
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When you start learning about wine, instructors usually have you taste different wine styles, and they teach you about their typical characteristics. While this process is an exciting experience, it can give you a false sense that they are assessing the wine in absolute terms of wine quality. Our brain is not wired that way, but it is wired to compare. We would say: ☀ The weather is warmer than yesterday. ↗ You're taller than me. 🍋 🍷 This wine is more acidic than lemon juice. We never really judge wine in absolute terms. We always assess in comparison to "a reference." ⚖ We compare the wine in the glass to a previous experience we had with the brand or a similar wine style. ⚖ We compare each sensory experience to our existing knowledge of a wine category, a region of origin, or a winemaker's portfolio. And it requires us to have memorized all of this information. That's why I like to introduce comparative tasting to my coaching clients. They learn to memorize the differences between the two wines they describe, which eventually helps them. And they never ask me: is my tasting note correct? I'd love to read your thoughts.
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Why couldn't they get more specific wine descriptions? The conference room was full of esteemed analytical chemists, all dedicated to advancing the analysis of wine. They shared projects focused mainly on detecting taints and faults, understanding their origins, and potential remediation solutions. Most of these projects included a wine-tasting component. Looking at their results, I realized that most were stuck in the middle… …In the middle of the wine aroma wheel. Their wine descriptions were disappointingly generic: Vegetal, Spicy, Floral or Chemical. However, most of their research objectives called for a more precise description of wine flavor to fully understand the sophisticated chemical analyses they were pursuing. ** It takes a good taster moderator (a.k.a. panel leader) to elicit precise descriptions from tasters and to train them to identify specific wine aromas, tastes, or mouthfeels. I’m a panel leader with more than 30 years of experience. >> You're in good hands when you join the Path to Wine Tasting Mastery program. I will train you to become the discerning taster you aspire to be in 8 weeks or less. ⬇ Schedule a complimentary call to determine if this program is right for you. ⬇ See the link in the comment.
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