According to the ancient Greek "esoterikós" (inner), the original meaning of the term is a philosophical teaching that is only accessible to a limited "inner" circle of people with "secret" information known only to them. In general usage today, "esoteric" is used in a derogatory way to describe a wide range of different spiritual and occult teachings and practices for which there are no scientifically substantiated facts. Fortune-telling, palmistry, astrology and homeopathy are categorised as esoteric. Certain methods of winemaking are also categorised as esoteric; whether rightly or wrongly is sometimes the subject of heated debate.
Those in favour of such methods are convinced of their success. However, as long as there are no scientific findings with provable and verifiable facts, these methods are questionable. These include certain (not basically all) anthroposophical practices of biodynamic and bioenergetic viticulture with the consideration of moon phases or planetary positions during pruning, fertilisation, pest control and harvesting, as well as the use of music during fermentation and ageing. Most of the farmers' rules with the lost days are also based on false assumptions or superstition. Similarly, comets appearing, as in the legendary 1811 vintage, have no influence on quality.
In the past, you needed a wealth of encyclopaedias and specialist literature to keep up to date in your vinophile professional life. Today, Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one of my best helpers and can rightly be called the "bible of wine knowledge".
Prof. Dr. Walter Kutscher
Lehrgangsleiter Sommelierausbildung WIFI-Wien