Just spent a year in Aquitane on the right bank of the Gironde (where Bordeaux wines come from) and can confirm that quality in wine is in fact bullshit. (not w

Just spent a year in Aquitane on the right bank of the Gironde (where Bordeaux wines come from) and can confirm that quality in wine is in fact bullshit. (not wine, but the idea of quality in wine) Just looking at the difference between left and right bank prices and a complete lack if difference in quality is telling. Also that the 5 first growth producers are rated as such for historical reasons and no-one gets into the exclusive club - and yet Premier Cru is used as an indication of quality in wine. Quality in wine was real back when the idea of hygiene in producing wine and the knowledge of wine making was not shared and access to labs was limited. No longer and so unless you're screwing up a well known process, you're going to get it pretty darn right. So wine quality is bullshit, but is wine bullshit? I don't think so. Lets put it this way: If you fly first-class, there's something a little more than the bigger seats and better food that you enjoy. It's the idea of flying first class. And so while a bottle from most decent chateaux on the right bank may be of equal quality to the left bank (left bank is where all the major chateaux are based) and yet much cheaper, you're still going to really enjoy the idea that you're drinking a bottle of 1990 Margaux as several connoisseurs jealously watch your every sip and explain how you're drinking one of the best vintages of one of the 5 best chateaux in the world.