How important is the geographic aspect of wine?

The Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee (EPC) is considering our proposals for new subdivisions under the number for wine in home and family management, which is also the interdisciplinary number (641.22 Wine), and under the number for commercial processing of wine (663.2 Wine).  In addition to the existing numbers for white wine, red wine, and sparkling wine, we are proposing new numbers for rosé wine and fortified wine.  We are also proposing that ice wine appear in an including note as a kind of wine that should get its own number if sufficient literary warrant develops.

At each of the numbers for white wine, red wine, rosé wine, sparkling wine, and fortified wine, we are proposing to give a note following the pattern "Class here specific X wines (specific brands, estate wines, varietals)."  We are not sure about the literary warrant for specific brands, such as Blue Nun or Yellow Tail, but we wanted to suggest that "specific wines" includes all kinds of named wines.  The intent is to allow addition of standard subdivisions—especially geographic subdivisions—for a specific named wine.  At 641.2223 Red wine, for example, the note would read "Class here specific red wines (specific brands, estate wines, varietals)."  No specific named wine approximates the whole of red wine. Without the proposed note, a work on North American Pinot Noir belongs in standing room at 641.2223 Red wine; with the proposed note, the work could be classed in 641.2223097 Red wines of North America (built with 641.223 Red wine plus T1—09 Geographic treatment plus T2—7 North America).

In theory, as an alternative, we could give specific named wines their own numbers, so that all works on Pinot Noir could be kept together, then subarranged geographically.  In practice, there are so many different named wines that most will never get their own numbers.  Literary warrant for specific named wines varies so much from one country to another, and over time, that any short list of specific wines with literary warrant will appear unsatisfactory and biased to many Dewey users.

How important is the geographic aspect of wine?  Should we allow addition of standard subdivisions—especially geographic subdivisions—for all specific named wines that fit the categories of white wine, red wine, rosé wine, sparkling wine, or fortified wine, as we are proposing?  EPC and the DDC editorial team would appreciate your advice.  Please reply directly to this blog entry by November 2, 2007. If you prefer, you may also send comments and suggestions directly by the same date to dewey@loc.gov.

Comments

[John]

Reminds me of the quip "Those are my two favorite kinds of wine ... red and white."

Thanks for all your posts. I learn something about parsing out a Dewey number every time I drop in to read.

[Kathy B.]

I definitely think that geographic subdivisions be allowed. As a cataloguer and a wine drinker, I know that geography is very important to wine. French wine for example is much different than American wine, even with the same grapes.