20 Feb What goes into making a bottle of wine? Answer: a lot
If you’re interested in all things wine
like me…
you would have been fascinated
at the recent Oregon Wine Symposium.
I’ve never seen so much technology,
so many people and felt so much passion
all focused on just one pursuit…
transforming grapes into wine.
Is wine making art or science?
It’s both
and at this trade show,
the science aspect was on full display.
Rows and rows of machines, devices and tools
designed to improve the entire wine making process,
growing, harvesting and bottling,
and every step in between.
“The way to make a small fortune
in the wine business
is to start with a large fortune.”
While walking the aisles and overhearing the conversations,
I came to a clear conclusion:
Every bottle of wine you and I enjoy
requires a lot of work
and a good deal of capital outlay
i.e. money.
Nonetheless the industry keeps on growing
which translates into more choices, varieties and options
on the grocery/wine store shelves.
The good news for wine drinkers
coming out of the Oregon Wine Symposium…
continued improvement in wine-making technology
will inevitably lead to better wine.
Just as important as the technological innovations
were the people.
The symposium was filled with producers and creators,
artists and scientists alike,
who share the enthusiasm, optimism and work ethic
necessary to keep the industry moving forward.
For them, it’s not critical
whether we know what goes into making a bottle of wine.
They just hope you and I,
the wine drinking public,
continue to enjoy what’s inside.