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Why Are We Breaking Our Brains?

A master sommelier takes a sip of red wine, swishes it around a bit, pauses, ponders, and then announces: “…. It’s from a mountainous region … probably Argentina … Catena Zapata Argentina Malbec 2020.” Another sommelier at a fine eating establishment in a major city is asked: “What would you pair with shrimp?” The sommelier hesitates for a moment then asks the diners: “What shrimp dish are you ordering?” The sommelier knows the pairing depends on whether the shrimp is briny, crisp, sweet, or meaty. Or some other “house specialty” not mentioned here. The sommelier can probably give good examples of $10 wines and bad examples of $100 wines. And why a good $100 wine is worth … one hundred dollars.

Sommeliers do not have a master’s degree in biochemistry. And no one from the scientific world is attempting to humiliate them in public forums for “claiming to know more than a little bit about wines” with no scientific basis to back them up. No one is shouting “confirmation bias” when the “somm” claims that high end wines are better than cheap wines, and well worth the money.

Yet, guys and gals with decades of involvement in high performance audio who claim to “hear differences” in various elements introduced into audio chain are pulled thru a gauntlet of scientific scrutiny, often with a great deal of fanfare and personal invalidation. Why is there not a process for “musical discovery” for seasoned audiophiles, and a certification process? Evaluator: “Okay, I’m going to change something in the system. Tell me what you hear. The options are interconnect upgrade, anti-skate calibration, removal of acoustical materials, or change in bitrate. Choose one.”

How can those with pretty “sensitive antennas” and years of hands (and, ears) on good gear convince the technical world that they are actually qualified to hear what they are hearing?

Why is it viewed as an inferior process for seasoned professionals to just listen, "swish" it around in their brains for a bit, and comment?

128x128waytoomuchstuff
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,252 posts
 

Actually there is well established controversy about wine experts.  Blind wine tasting is a thing and the results can cast doubt upon the expert opinions.  Plus the wine world has been rocked by fraud scandals.  For instance, the label is not what's in the bottle and drinkers didn't seem to notice.

Also wine making is a craft, but there is tons of science involved.  Wine is water and ethanol plus 2% by volume of other chemicals.  It's not like the wine makers don't know what those other chemicals are and manipulate them to their preferences.

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ghdprentice
7,241 posts
 

Interesting question.

 

Maybe because wine tasting has a check… did you get the region vineyard, and year correct.

 

Although, on the other hand, I suppose “1992 Wilson Watt Puppies”… might constitute a test. 
 

Hmmm, I could completely see classes… identifying all the attributes, rhythm and pace, transient speed, micro details… etc. I would love to take the advanced class. 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

There are "master" audiophiles too.  but just like master sommeliers, master audiophiles don't spend time chatting with random guys on the internet.  

Imagine a master sommelier's response when @jasonbourne52 responded to his thread that there is no difference between ripple and grand cru?

Imagine when @mastering92 suggested things that violate the laws of physics.  

They would just not come back, which is what many tip guys do here.

Jerry

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,907 posts
 

My dad always said to consider the source. I'll take an experienced and seasoned audiophile over all the naysayers here. Having that repository of knowledge and experience, knowing what and how to listen for musics cues and tells cannot be done with a scope.  Never could.

On my semi frequent wine tastings I've met an actual sommelier (besides the one who pours) and conversations with him are so enlightening, informative and just good fun.  Any question I have (and I've had some zingers) are deftly dealt with, which gives me the impression that the ones who always cite the shortcomings of a  sommelier have never really met one or are too afraid to go out and meet and drink with one. 

All the best,
Nonoise

 

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