Oenosthetics

This chapter explores the aesthetic and crossmodal connections between sound and wine. It challenges traditional views that limit wine's aesthetic scope and the focus of prior crossmodal studies primarily on conventional music. It reviews historical and philosophical perspectives on wine aesthetics and the relationship between wine and music, alongside scientific findings on sound-taste correspondences, particularly in wine. The chapter questions whether abstract sonic art can engage crossmodally with wine and if artist expertise influences this interaction. These questions are investigated through a case study of Oenosthesia , the author’s, and possibly the world’s, first crossmodal sound and wine artwork. The study assesses audience reception of the work, revealing that a specifically composed soundscape can significantly alter wine perception and that crossmodal correspondences can be activated by sonic art. Findings additionally provide support for the idea that the artist's personal sensory expertise does not prevent them from creating crossmodal artworks that resonate with wider audiences, highlighting the potential for broadly accessible crossmodal art beyond conventional musical forms.