Questions of Taste

'Smith contends that, contrary to the oft-repeated incantation that taste is personal and all opinions are equally valid, oenophilia is not a strictly subjective exercise, and some people are more adept at judging Burgundies and Rhones than others.' --New York Times Book Review 'The contributors prove well up to the task of situating wine-centred questions within a larger framework of questions about taste and perception, subjectivity and objectivity, and aesthetic appraisal more generally.' - Times Literary Supplement 'It is quite surprising that no one has published a book like this before. Wine is an excellent subject for philosophy. In nine essays and an interview it focuses questions about subjective and objective qualities, aesthetics, the part in our appreciation played by knowledge, and the nature of expertise. Philosophy of wine has the advantage over many rather tired areas of philosophy that it is only likely to be discussed by those who care deeply about its main subject matter; it is also possible to say new and interesting things about it.' --Nigel Warburton, Virtualphilosopher.com 'Looks at the perception and appreciation of wine by an impressive line-up of philosophers and wine professionals. A perfect gift.' - The Bookseller 'Questions of Taste is devoted to the deep philosophical question of taste in wine: what is it, and why should we get it right? ... The contributors to this book have persuaded me that taste in art is a phenomenon distinct from taste in wine. Art has a meaning, and invites you to a long-lasting personal relationship. Through works such as Mozart's opera The Magic Flute, the David of Michelangelo or Milton's Paradise Lost, you come to understand life in this world and your own humble place in it. Nothing like that can be gleaned from wine, not even from a bottle of 1945 Lafite.' --New Statesman