Why are there so few sociological articles on wine? Why is there no scholarly discipline called the Sociology of Wine? Why have Sociologists been silent on the topic of wine?
Those were some of my first questions when I began studying the wine industry a decade ago. I have an advanced degree in Sociology and taught introductory Sociology courses at a community college for a decade. I was used to using its concepts and frameworks as a way to explain the world. This was the lens through which I might better understand wine production, distribution, and consumption. The Sociology of Wine as a discipline actually does not exist. Journal articles are limited and often found under other social science disciplines.
Sociology of Wine
I recently discovered the professional journal article, Introduction to the Sociology of Wine – The Sociology Decanter: Poring Sociology into Wine and Vice Versa (2021) by David Inglis and Anna-Mari Almila. It’s the first article in a Special Issue of the Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change on constructing a sociology of wine. The article starts with some of my questions about the reasons for such an absence of wine in Sociology. The article does not provide a clear answer, but it does describe the expansive social, cultural, political, and economic significance of wine worldwide and the need for a Sociology of Wine as a discipline.
Field of Study
The article by Inglis and Almila provides an important overview of the sociology of wine as a field of study. The authors point out that wine is an important cultural object that reflects social and economic relations, power dynamics, and cultural values. The paper discusses the historical and social contexts of wine production, distribution, and consumption and explores the symbolic meanings and cultural practices associated with wine. The authors also highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the sociology of wine and suggest that it can be used to shed light on broader social and cultural issues.
Literature Review
One of the most significant contributions of this article is the extensive literature review with 104 reference citations, mainly from the last two decades. The authors draw on a wide range of disciplines. There are references to the work of notable sociologists such as Pierre Bourdieu and Emile Durkheim. They also cite the work of cultural geographers who explain how geographical and cultural factors shape wine production and consumption. They also reference historical studies of wine production and consumption and cultural studies that have explored the symbolic meanings and practices associated with wine.
Industry Benefits
The article contributes to discussing wine as a discipline. The sociology of wine allows us to understand the social and cultural dimensions of wine production, distribution, and consumption. It can promote greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the wine industry. The research can inform public policy around alcohol regulation, land use, and rural development and report on social and economic impacts. It can help producers and marketers better understand the social and cultural factors that shape consumer preferences and behavior.
The question remains – What are the reasons for such an absence of wine in Sociology? Does it fit better as a sub-discipline, such as under the Sociology of Consumption or Cultural Sociology? Are the social and cultural differences too vast for a broad-based discipline? Is the impact of wine trivial to scholars?
Inglis, D. and Almila, A.-M. (2021). Introduction to the Sociology of Wine – The Sociology Decanter: Poring Sociology into Wine and Vice Versa, Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change, 6(2), 08. https://doi.org/10.20897/jcasc/11446
