I just read a colleague’s rant on Facebook about Pinot Grigio (Gris). No names are named, just a whole lot explained, due to the following comments on Facebook (below here) about Pinot Grigio (Gris). They deserve an answer, because clarifying helps to make sense of it for everyone, especially when they “don’t get it.” Still, I had to catch my breath for a moment.

This Is In Pinot Grigio’s Defense

It’s a moment to explain what a superpalate is again. First, this was the declaration, “If there were no women in the world, there would be no Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio.” And, good to know, Pinot Grigio is the Italian version. Pinot Gris is the French (and beyond) synonym.

Say What?

HUH?

Then the rants began; “I thought that Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio was a truck driver wine.” Next came this one, “These guys have to be marketing geniuses to get a $12 bottle to $40 in the stores, and twice that on wine lists.” And the almost there assessment, “Ugh. If we have to have Santa Margherita to have women, so be it, but it’s a close call.” And, the list went on. “One of the less impressive wines from a very unimpressive category.”

Oh, Jeeze!

Say what about Pinot Grigio?

This Brings Us Straight To Superpalates

Superpalates (or supertasters) taste more, due to increased taste buds. There’s not a lot of people writing about it yet, still it doesn’t stop me. I first wrote, Everyone Has a Palate,” in 2006. Scientific evidence is pretty straight forward today. This story explains a lot scientifically, hence The Science of Supertasters, for your own reading.

Superpalates taste more because they have more taste buds. It’s a simple as that and Pinot Grigio, on our palates, is divine! And, honestly, with non superpalates? I understand why you don’t understand. While the flavors are very delicious for us, they’re still almost absent, and that’s the point. We don’t enjoy being knocked over the head with flavors, and basically we’re bopped over the heard with most foods’ flavors.

Delicious White Wine

Pinot Grigio’s Delicious Defense

The following inspired me to dig deeper about Pinot Grigio. I’ll not be intimidated or dismissed. I deserve to love it, if I want. I thought, “I’ll bet my superpalate could explain it once and for all.” I’ve thought about it for a while, but it’s still not mainstream. The saying “It takes time to turn a battleship around’ applies here.”

So, My Research Begins & Ends With Supertasters

Headline: Are You a Supertaster? (Defined: A supertaster is a person who tastes certain flavors and foods more strongly than other people.)

“The human tongue is wrapped in taste buds (fungiform papillae – SUPERTASTER). The small, mushroom-shaped bumps are covered with taste receptors that bind to the molecules from your food and help tell your brain what you’re eating.

“Some people have more of these taste buds and receptors, so their perception of flavor is stronger than the average person. They are known as supertasters. Supertasters are particularly sensitive to bitter flavors in foods such as broccoli, spinach, coffee, beer, and chocolate.”

I can’t even tell you how many of these foods I wouldn’t eat.

My Question To Artificial Intelligence

Are More Women Than Men Superpalates?

AI: “Great question! There is actually some scientific evidence to suggest that women may have more sensitive palates than men.

“Here are a few reasons why: Women tend to have a higher density of taste buds on their tongues, which can lead to a more nuanced perception of flavors. There are hormonal differences between men and women, which can affect taste perception. For example, higher levels of estrogen can increase sensitivity to bitter tastes. Women are often more attuned to subtle differences in flavor and aroma, which can give them an advantage in tasks like wine tasting or food evaluation.

“Of course, there’s a lot of individual variation in taste perception, and not all women or men have “superpalates.” However, on average, women do tend to have a slight edge when it comes to tasting and evaluating flavors.”

Delicious beef steak

I believe, for guys, it’s not wrong that they don’t get it. Many of them actually DON’T. It’s because they don’t have enough taste buds to ever enjoy that “aha moment!” The flavors are too delicate. Now, If I put a hard hitting Napa Cab front of them, and bring out a Kobe Beef filet? Yeah, now you understand.

Great Explanation

AI: “More women, it has been medically proven, have more taste buds than men do. Why you might ask? We’re making life and death decisions on what our little ones are putting into their mouths. Naturally speaking, It’s just that simple. Gender differences in taste perception plays a role in how wine and foods are evaluated. And you make a great point about the evolutionary advantages of women having more sensitive palates – it could definitely be a survival mechanism that helped mothers ensure that their children were getting safe and nutritious food.”

Mother and Child union

Of course, it’s important to remember that every person’s taste is unique, and there are plenty of men who have sensitive palates and women who don’t. But it’s definitely an interesting theory to consider, and it highlights the importance of diversity and representation in wine criticism and evaluation.

Every person tastes differently, just like every person looks differently. While there are similarities, even identical twins have that one thing that we look for, so we don’t call “Joanie”  “Janie.” Have you ever seen a set of twins called “Mary” and “Merry?”

Superpalates taste more, due to increased taste buds. It’s just the way it is in nature.