(Wine-searcher) - Is brett or volatile acidity really a problem if nobody points it out loudly around the table?

As far as conspiracy theories go, the 9/11 one is probably the biggest. Unless you count maybe Flat Earthers, or Chemtrails, or that one that thinks Barack Obama – or Nick Cage or someone – is a reptile.

Who knew, for instance, that traces of Nano-thermite were found at Ground Zero? Or that Justin Bieber has reptilian eyes? They remain a rich seam on the internet. But, as Noam Chomsky (a man one is always a little hesitant to cite) points out: "They [9/11 conspiracy theorists] are experts in physics and engineering on the basis of an hour on the internet."

This speed-learning (for conspiracies or otherwise) is everywhere. For instance, in the space of a few minutes, you can find out the "10 signs that you are highly intelligent", you can learn the "10 signs your partner is going to cheat" alongside what I'm pretty sure was not intended to be its companion piece: "10 signs that you've found the ideal coach's wife". There's "10 signs it's time to sell US stocks" or "10 signs spirit [sic] is trying to contact you". Take a reasonably complex scenario and the internet has the answer in an entertaining and easy-to-read, 10-point format. Sorted. A candle falls off the mantelpiece and you're sure a bottle of Gin is trying to get in touch.

Wine, for better or for worse, is not immune to this desire to impart quick wisdom. I've recently come across a few "wine faults" pieces in which one really has to ask whether or not our desire to acquire and impart immediate knowledge is really a good idea.