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What’s Your ‘Vinotype’?

We all know the classic food and Wine paring rules: Red Wines with with Red Meats, White Wines with Poultry, Fish and Seafood. But recent studies of Wine lovers and their preferences have revealed that those old rules may be outmoded. Chefs and Hospitality School experts say, “Let the palate rule!”

Borchgrevink and Sherwin on Vinotypes - © Derrick Turner - MSUAllan Sherwin, left, and colleague Carl Borchgrevink testing Tim Hanni’s theory…

The scene: About half way through the Bond thriller From Russia With Love, Bond, the obligatory femme fatale and the bad guy (under cover) sit in the dining car of a grand train heading for Italy. The bad guy gives himself away when he orders Red Wine with Fish. Game over.

Well, it’s not going to be so easy to tell the discerning from the dummies if a new idea from Chef Allan Sherwin and Carl Borchgrevink, Head of Michigan State University’s School of Hospitality Business, have their way…

It all sounds really scientific…

You’ve probably heard of ‘genotypes’ in reference to genetic engineering and inheritance matters. And you may have heard of ‘phenotypes’ in reference to one’s outward appearance. But have you ever wondered what your ‘vinotype’ is?

Every wine drinker has one and it will determine what your preferences in Wine will be. So goes a heretofore untested theory put forward by American Wine Master Tim Hanni. Forget the old rules and let your palate be your guide.

Tim Hanni’s theory…

Hanni’s theory is explained in detail in a video at his own website. He calls different vinotypes ‘personas’…

Vinotypes, he says, run on a continuum from ‘Sweet’ to ‘Tolerant’. That is, from those who prefer sweet, light, fruity vintages on one end to those who prefer bone dry, brick-red Cabernets on the other. And there’s a place for every wine lover somewhere in between.

How they tested the theory…

For the study, published in International Journal of Wine Business Research, the MSU investigators surveyed a group of adults on food and beverage preferences and consumption patterns. They also held a reception with twelve stations where the participants rated the food and wine presented at each station individually, and then together. The results were conclusive: Hanni’s premise has merit. The researchers were able to predict wine preferences based on food consumption patterns and preferences.

“The palate rules – not someone else’s idea of which wine we should drink with our food,” says Borchgrevink. “They shouldn’t try to intimidate you into buying a certain wine. Instead, they should be asking you what you like.”

Now, the MSU team wants colleagues in other cultures to test the idea globally. Meanwhile, trust your palate and don’t worry if some other folks look askance when you order what you like, rather than what the old rules would dictate…

~ Maggie J.