03.01.2012

What Wine Drinkers Can Learn from Leonardo Da Vinci

As some of you know, I was in Napa last week at the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers. The keynote speaker was Michael Gelb, the best selling author and speaker, whose most popular book How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, served as the primary subject for his talk. Gelb is a passionate wine drinker, who also has written a book called Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking, so a talk on creativity from him didn’t come entirely out of the blue. Even though wine was not his subject, he wove several wine anecdotes into his speech.

His talk was focused on using the principles outlined in his book to help those in attendance with their work and career as writers. But it struck me that these principles, which Gelb gleaned from Leonardo’s writings and works, are a wonderful map for aspiring wine lovers. So with Gelb’s permission, I’d like to explore how Leonardo Da Vinci (as interpreted by Gelb) can teach you a deeper appreciation for wine.

From Da Vinci’s life and works, Gelb distilled seven principles that he feels embody “genius thinking.” Each offers something to the wine lover.