How wine affects IQ: an interview with microbiologist Paul Rainey

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Contact Paul was a little bit easier than to make contact with aliens. The geography of his movements in connection with lectures on the evolutionary genetics covering America and Europe, plus Paul spends much time in his cabin on the island (5 hours by boat from Auckland, New Zealand) away from electricity, roads, and e-mail. “This is a wild place, – he says – there’s nothing there, so they can think.” Why do we approached Paul with a request for an interview? First, we sunk into the soul of the fact that Paul was a wine steward St Cross College, Oxford, which we mentioned in the article on the relationship of wine and higher education. It was interesting to learn first hand what it means to manage the cellar of the educational institution. Secondly, it is curious to find out whether Paul suffered “Oxford tradition in its own internationalist laboratory. How to combine wine and science?

Rainey – a wine steward at Oxford

What is the responsibility of a wine steward at the Oxford college?

- Steward is responsible for everything. He tasted the wine and decide what wine to buy for the college of his cellar. He is responsible for proper storage of wine, controls the sale of wine. Also in his competence – knock into shape wine events such as wine tastings for the students.

Number of wine, drunken students and teachers – predictably?

- Quite. From year to year is fairly constant.

Can a student buy wine directly from the cellar? What will be the price?

- Yes, of course. Most of the wine cellars sold to members of his community college just above the purchase price. And this applies to very mature wines that were stored in the cellar for a long time. Thus student receives access to a magnificent collection of wines, which can be purchased at more than reasonable price.

As far as wine is popular among students (bearing in mind the fashion of a healthy diet and lifestyle, as well as the fact that in college studying not only the Europeans, but also come from countries where wine is not part of the culture)?

- Wine – this is the usual beverage to accompany meals students and teachers. Thus can say that drink it almost every day.

How often arranges wine steward, wine tasting for the students, how much is “ticket”?

- I arranged tasting sessions each semester. At its taste – or thematic, or on the comparison of wines from different regions. Entrance fee – minimum, it should just cover the cost of the wine.

Students and teachers are having dinner together?

- Depends on the college. In my college, St Cross, graduate study and there is no discrimination between lecturers and students, but in other colleges – have. I was a lecturer in Uodhem College, where I happen to know this from experience. It faculty dinner in “their zone”, in the same room, but separate from the students. After the main course, they are moved to the “Dessert room” where they offer fruit, chocolate, nuts and wine selection in addition to those that were drunk at dinner. Basically this port, Sauternes and claret. Bottles are passed in a circle from right to left three times (each poured for myself). In the case of more formal occasions, such meals include a few changes of dishes and wines and imply a more formal robes with optional black tie.

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