What type of person is an oenophile

[TheEngineer]

I've always noted that serious wine people tend to have a strong appreciation for details. I mean that the basic structure of the item must be right but something about it, a detail or a line or something makes it perfect. As such, many of these people also have other interesting pursuits which are generally marked with something where the detail is very important. So their hobbies tend to fall in with:

(1) photography
(2) audiophile
(3) auto racing
(4) art/design/architecture
(5) gardening
(6) cooking

At least that's my story and I'm sticking with it. So what say the rest of you? Is this conjecture accurate? Could it be a generalized theory?

[Bucko]

You've got me on 1, 5, 6.

[This message has been edited by Bucko (edited 09-19-2005).]

[Kcwhippet]

Interesting. All of them, except 2.

[wondersofwine]

Add book lover.
Does a yen to travel belong on the list?

[TheEngineer]

Actually, travel does belong on that list. I had left it shorter and more on the point. Perhaps I think that the travel is more particular to the things that lend themselves to 1-6. I.e. you like to travel to places with great architecture, interesting foods, etc,..again, denoting a travel with a purpose to seek out detail versus the more hedonistic approachs of the all inclusive clubs in the carribeans (not that there is anything wrong with those either). In that case, I definitely travel according to those needs.

Not sure about books....is that collecting or reading or pursuit of a specific genre?

[This message has been edited by TheEngII (edited 09-20-2005).]

[wondersofwine]

All of the above. I work as a librarian where attention to detail is essential. But my interest in books is broader than that. I participate in book discussion groups, sometimes post reviews on amazon.com., have written book reviews for community newsletters, etc. I don't know if wine lovers are usually well read, quite educated but it seems likely to follow.

[Innkeeper]

Good heavens, I agree with Bucko!

[Bucko]

Well IK, welcome to the gutter. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[robr]

All but auto-racing, and add coin collecting, hunting and fishing.

I believe that most auto-racing fans are Budwiser drinkers.

Good list!

[This message has been edited by bernkastler (edited 09-20-2005).]

[Drew]

1, 4, 6 and GOLF, which could take up spaces 7, 8, 9, and 10 [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img].

DRew

[dananne]

Interesting, though I'd have to suggest a contrarian thought, that being if you ask 9 out of 10 people what their hobbies are, you'd likely get many of those as responses, whether or not they're oenophiles -- for example, after watching TV, reading, and "spending time with family," things like cooking and gardening regularly fall near the top of leisure surveys. So, in short, I'm not sure that the responses would differ all that much from the general population.

That having been said, I'm that oddball 1 person out of 10 that wouldn't list any of those options as a preferred hobby or regular leisure activity. My only hobbies, other than wine, are reading, soccer, and Green Bay Packer football, so feel free to take the above with a grain of salt [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[hotwine]

Yeah, other than wine..... reading, barbecuing, welding, ranching, fly fishing, investing, losing money.....

[Kcwhippet]

What, no one else races?

[Bucko]

Racing? Nahhhh. Racing rates about one notch above pro wrestling for me, but two notches below midget throwing. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Kcwhippet]

Nothing like strapping on a big hunk of overpowered metal and tearing around a track with a bunch of road rage advocates. Lots of fun, but I'm getting a tad too old for it now.

[TheEngineer]

I love road racing myself. Nothing like picking a line when your car is doing 10/10ths and then hitting it. Lap times are a great indication of whether the small changes worked. Consistence is the key and every once in a while you get to show off your hooligan drifting technic [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Then again I love it when I'm in my "economical race car" chasing down a few of those race prepared BMW/Porsches. I can't pass them but damn it makes them angry to see me on their butts and they can't lose me......in their $100K plus race day vehicles. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Angrer driving...that would be those White Mountain/Pikes Peak or Rally guys. They drive in absolute ANGER!!!! have you seen a race like this one? Fantastic.

[Innkeeper]

The closest I came was when working in a day camp during summers in the college years. Two of other counsellors where the archery guy (Robin Hood) and his tall blonde girlfriend. Well Robin Hood drove a stock car at Westbury on Friday nights, so I had sit in the stands with the girlfriend. Tough work but someone had to do it.

[winoweenie]

Back in my wilder days a buddy of mine and I bought the 2nd Maserati Bird-cage that was shipped to America. Had a ball racing it for 3 years till it became obsolete and too expensive to maintain. So guess all of the above plus Tennis, Golf, and like WOW travel is on my list. WW

[Georgie]

My beloved is into NASCAR racing. I've learned to endure races...I know what racing terms and expressions mean...kind of scary to admit. But actually that Kasey Kahne IS pretty cute!

[Kcwhippet]

I would have added sailing, but I've noticed that most of the folks we sail against aren't really into wine - mostly hard stuff and LOTS of beer. I much prefer our approach, though we get razzed frequently. Not much to do on a long downwind leg, so we make up some sandwiches, usually rare roast beef, prosciutto, soprasatta, onions, tomato lettuce on an onion roll and wash down with a nice red - last week was a Scherrer O&M. Of course we usually pop a sparkler on the way out to the start line. Only four more races left here this year! Need to move somewhere warmer with longer racing seasons.