Scientists Have Discovered How A High IQ Helps People Better Understand Wine
- 26.08.2026, 21:06
It's not just about regular tastings.
Researcher Maximilian Krol of Saarland University, together with Professor Timothy S. Bates of the University of Edinburgh, decided to investigate whether a high level of intelligence affects the acquisition of complex knowledge in a field where there are no financial rewards or mandatory exams, writes New Voice.
The focus of the study was the culture of winemaking and knowledge about wine. This field is not part of school curricula and is primarily used by professionals, but it requires significant intellectual effort: an understanding of grape varieties, climatic zones, production methods, and chemical and technological processes.
As part of the experiment, 525 participants first took the standard ICAR cognitive abilities test, which assessed verbal, matrix, and logical-mathematical reasoning. In the second stage, participants answered 68 questions on winemaking, based on the international Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) program. The researchers also took into account the participants’ professional experience and their personal preferences regarding wine.
Data analysis showed that intelligence accounts for more than 9 percent of the variation in the depth of wine knowledge. People with higher cognitive scores were found to be better able to organize information, understand cause-and-effect relationships (such as how a cooler climate increases the acidity of grapes), and apply these principles in practice.
The study debunks the popular myth that simply tasting wine regularly is enough to gain a deep understanding of it. Simply consuming the beverage without systematic analysis does not improve the effectiveness of information retention. Intelligence is most beneficial when a person interacts with a structured system of knowledge, receives feedback, and categorizes their experiences.
The results confirm that high intelligence is an independent driver of learning, functioning even in the absence of exams or material incentives. The researchers emphasize that wine knowledge is not an elitist privilege or a matter of subjective taste, but rather a structured discipline that can be successfully mastered through a systematic approach.