Oenophilists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Aficionados of wine who have developed a deep appreciation for and understanding of various types and qualities of wine
2. Individuals who are passionate about wine culture, enjoying tasting experiences and engaging in discussions about vintages
3. Enthusiasts who indulge in the art of wine appreciation, often collecting and exploring different regions and varieties

Etymology: "Oenophilists" is the plural of "oenophilist", a noun for a passionate wine enthusiast. The word is built from "oeno-", a combining form from Greek "oinos", meaning wine, and "-philist", a suffix from Greek "philos", meaning loving, with the agent ending "-ist" attached to form a person who loves the thing in question. Put together, it describes someone who is a lover of wine. The "-phile" element appears in many English words such as "bibliophile" (a lover of books) and "Anglophile" (a lover of England). The "-ist" ending turns that idea into a person, which is why the word names the enthusiast rather than the enthusiasm itself.