connoisseurship of wine is a (disappearing) art in search of a less emotive name. The word connoisseur, in English, and its counterpart connaisseur in French, conjures up a frightening vision of an elderly male so steeped in wine, wine knowledge, and wine prejudices as to be completely unapproachable. Much more attractive and widely acceptable terms are those which convey not just knowledge but an element of relish such as wine lover, wine enthusiast, or the common and attractive French term amateur du vin. None of these terms, incidentally, has any connotation of gender.
