The more you know about wine, the higher you may also score on tests assessing general intelligence, according to a new study.

Researchers at Saarland University in Germany found that adults who scored higher on a standardized measure of cognitive ability also tended to perform better on a test of wine knowledge. Wine was the only specialized subject researchers tested in the study.

The findings were published in August in the journal Intelligence & Cognitive Abilities.

But the researchers' main goal wasn't to study wine itself. They wanted to know whether intelligence affects how well people learn about subjects they aren't required to study.

They chose wine as a test case because detailed wine knowledge generally isn't taught in school or required for most jobs. The researchers found that intelligence was linked to wine knowledge even after accounting for participants' wine-industry experience and drinking preferences.

Sammy Hagar helped kick off the celebrity booze brand trend with Cabo Wabo tequila, which he founded in 1996 and sold in 2008 for $100 million. Since then, he's launched new tequila and rum products. And many other celebrities have gotten into the game. Here, Hagar meets guests during a launch party for his Red Rocker Beer at the Fillmore Detroit's State Bar on Oct. 23, 2023. (Brian McCollum)
Sammy Hagar helped kick off the celebrity booze brand trend with Cabo Wabo tequila, which he founded in 1996 and sold in 2008 for $100 million. Since then, he's launched new tequila and rum products. And many other celebrities have gotten into the game. Here, Hagar meets guests during a launch party for his Red Rocker Beer at the Fillmore Detroit's State Bar on Oct. 23, 2023. (Brian McCollum)
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg have a growing spirits portfolio with canned cocktails and Still G.I.N. (Michael Tran, AFP via Getty Images)
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg have a growing spirits portfolio with canned cocktails and Still G.I.N. (Michael Tran, AFP via Getty Images)
Dr. Dre (L) and Snoop Dogg participate in a live episode of the podcast "Drink Champs" at ComplexCon 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on November 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
Dr. Dre (L) and Snoop Dogg participate in a live episode of the podcast "Drink Champs" at ComplexCon 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on November 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston co-founded Dos Hombres Mezcal in 2019 and are expanding with a Dos Hombres Blanco available at select retailers nationwide beginning May 1, 2026, followed by Dos Hombres Reposado Tequila in July 2026. (Dos Hombres)
Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston co-founded Dos Hombres Mezcal in 2019 and are expanding with a Dos Hombres Blanco available at select retailers nationwide beginning May 1, 2026, followed by Dos Hombres Reposado Tequila in July 2026. (Dos Hombres)
Sarah Jessica Parker teamed with Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits on The Perfect Cosmo by SJP, a premium ready-to-drink cocktail, which hit the market in May 2022. She also partnered with Invivo Co. on a SJP wine line. (Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits)
Sarah Jessica Parker teamed with Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits on The Perfect Cosmo by SJP, a premium ready-to-drink cocktail, which hit the market in May 2022. She also partnered with Invivo Co. on a SJP wine line. (Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits)
Ryan Reynolds became a minority stakeholder in Aviation American Gin in 2018 and remains a co-owner although it was acquired by Diageo in 2020. The brand released Cranberry & Blood Orange Flavored Gin in February 2026. (Aviation American Gin)
Ryan Reynolds became a minority stakeholder in Aviation American Gin in 2018 and remains a co-owner although it was acquired by Diageo in 2020. The brand released Cranberry & Blood Orange Flavored Gin in February 2026. (Aviation American Gin)
In October 2025, LeBron James collaborated with Hennessey on the LeBron James V.S.O.P Limited Edition cognac. He has also helped launch Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal in 2020. (Hennessy)
In October 2025, LeBron James collaborated with Hennessey on the LeBron James V.S.O.P Limited Edition cognac. He has also helped launch Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal in 2020. (Hennessy)
Singer Michael Bublé teamed with Master Distiller and Blender Paul Cirka to create Fraser & Thompson North American Whiskey in 2023. (Fraser & Thompson North American Whiskey)
Singer Michael Bublé teamed with Master Distiller and Blender Paul Cirka to create Fraser & Thompson North American Whiskey in 2023. (Fraser & Thompson North American Whiskey)
Thomas Rhett and his cousin, Jeff Worn, at right, They launched Dos Primos Tequila Blanco in 2019. They added Dos Primos Tequila Reposado in 2022 and Dos Primos Tequila Añejo, available in select markets in March 2023. (Dos Primos Tequila)
Thomas Rhett and his cousin, Jeff Worn, at right, They launched Dos Primos Tequila Blanco in 2019. They added Dos Primos Tequila Reposado in 2022 and Dos Primos Tequila Añejo, available in select markets in March 2023. (Dos Primos Tequila)
Actress Shay Mitchell founded Onda Sparkling Tequila canned cocktails in the summer of 2020. (Presley Ann, Getty Images for Hulu)
Actress Shay Mitchell founded Onda Sparkling Tequila canned cocktails in the summer of 2020. (Presley Ann, Getty Images for Hulu)
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, in the foreground, assesses the band's Blackened Rye The Lightning, a Kentucky Straight Rye Double Cask Finished Whiskey. The band worked with master distiller and blender Rob Dietrich, in the background, to release its first Blackened whiskey in 2018. (Blackened)
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, in the foreground, assesses the band's Blackened Rye The Lightning, a Kentucky Straight Rye Double Cask Finished Whiskey. The band worked with master distiller and blender Rob Dietrich, in the background, to release its first Blackened whiskey in 2018. (Blackened)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson founded his Teremana tequila brand, which came to market in 2020. Its name translates as ‘spirit of the earth,’ from the Latin word ‘terra,’ meaning earth, and the Polynesian word ‘mana,’ meaning spirit. (Teremana)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson founded his Teremana tequila brand, which came to market in 2020. Its name translates as ‘spirit of the earth,’ from the Latin word ‘terra,’ meaning earth, and the Polynesian word ‘mana,’ meaning spirit. (Teremana)
Cameron Diaz, at left, and entrepreneur Katherine Power launched their organic line of Avaline wines in 2020. (Avaline)
Cameron Diaz, at left, and entrepreneur Katherine Power launched their organic line of Avaline wines in 2020. (Avaline)
Fashion designer Vera Wang debuted her Vera Wang PARTY premium Italian prosecco in 2021. (Vera Wang PARTY)
Fashion designer Vera Wang debuted her Vera Wang PARTY premium Italian prosecco in 2021. (Vera Wang PARTY)
In March 2026, George Clooney along with Mike Meldman (at left) and Rande Gerber, brought to market a new non-alcoholic beer Crazy Mountain Non-Alc Brew (Nathaniel Goldberg for Crazy Mountain)
In March 2026, George Clooney along with Mike Meldman (at left) and Rande Gerber, brought to market a new non-alcoholic beer Crazy Mountain Non-Alc Brew (Nathaniel Goldberg for Crazy Mountain)
Actor Tom Holland co-founded Bero, a line of non-alcoholic beers, which hit the market in 2024. (Bero)
Actor Tom Holland co-founded Bero, a line of non-alcoholic beers, which hit the market in 2024. (Bero)
Since bringing out Santo Tequila Blanco in 2019, Sammy Hagar, at right, and celebrity chef Guy Fieri, have added a Reposado, Anejo and a 110 proof Blanco. (Santo Spirits)
Since bringing out Santo Tequila Blanco in 2019, Sammy Hagar, at right, and celebrity chef Guy Fieri, have added a Reposado, Anejo and a 110 proof Blanco. (Santo Spirits)
Blake Shelton launched Smithworks Hard Seltzer Lemonade in 2021 partnership with Smithworks. (gregsweney)
Blake Shelton launched Smithworks Hard Seltzer Lemonade in 2021 partnership with Smithworks. (gregsweney)
Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and wife and supermodel Behati Prinsloo launched Calirosa tequila in2021 with the Real family of Mexico. Of their tequilas aged in California red wine barrels, the Rosa Blanco tequila is the newest. (Calirosa)
Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and wife and supermodel Behati Prinsloo launched Calirosa tequila in2021 with the Real family of Mexico. Of their tequilas aged in California red wine barrels, the Rosa Blanco tequila is the newest. (Calirosa)
Bob Dylan's Heaven's Door Spirits, launched in 2018, is a collaboration between the Noble Prize-winning musician and Spirits Investment Partners execs Marc Bushala, the former founder of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, and master blender Ryan Perry, formerly a whiskey developer at Diageo. (Heaven's Door)
Bob Dylan's Heaven's Door Spirits, launched in 2018, is a collaboration between the Noble Prize-winning musician and Spirits Investment Partners execs Marc Bushala, the former founder of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, and master blender Ryan Perry, formerly a whiskey developer at Diageo. (Heaven's Door)
Kevin Hart and 11th generation tequila producer Juan Domingo Beckmann in 2022 brought to market Gran Coramino Reposado Cristalinos reposado tequila. It is first aged in eastern European oak barrels and finished in California Cabernet wine casks. (Gran Coramino)
Kevin Hart and 11th generation tequila producer Juan Domingo Beckmann in 2022 brought to market Gran Coramino Reposado Cristalinos reposado tequila. It is first aged in eastern European oak barrels and finished in California Cabernet wine casks. (Gran Coramino)
Vermont distillery WhistlePig has teamed with the Brothers Osborne – T.J. Osborne, at left, and John Osborne – on a limited edition 100% Rye Single Barrel Whiskey. (WhistlePig Whiskey)
Vermont distillery WhistlePig has teamed with the Brothers Osborne – T.J. Osborne, at left, and John Osborne – on a limited edition 100% Rye Single Barrel Whiskey. (WhistlePig Whiskey)
Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top was the first investor in Pura Vida tequila, which launched in Texas in 2011. He remains an ambassador for the tequila, which quickly became available nationwide. Mexican mariachi music is played as the tequila is made and aged. (Pura Vida)
Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top was the first investor in Pura Vida tequila, which launched in Texas in 2011. He remains an ambassador for the tequila, which quickly became available nationwide. Mexican mariachi music is played as the tequila is made and aged. (Pura Vida)
Actor Nick Offerman has teamed with single malt scotch maker Lagavulin on four limited-edition collaborations, the most recent being the Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Aged 11 Years. (Ewan Harvey for Lavagulin)
Actor Nick Offerman has teamed with single malt scotch maker Lagavulin on four limited-edition collaborations, the most recent being the Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Aged 11 Years. (Ewan Harvey for Lavagulin)
In 2023, former "Bachelorette" star JoJo Fletcher, shown here, and her sister-in-law Mallory Patton brought to market Saint Spritz, canned aperitivo drinks including most recently, Sardinia, a passionfruit mango flavor, along with a non-alcoholic elderflower lime and mint “Virgin” Spritz. (Saint Spritz)
In 2023, former "Bachelorette" star JoJo Fletcher, shown here, and her sister-in-law Mallory Patton brought to market Saint Spritz, canned aperitivo drinks including most recently, Sardinia, a passionfruit mango flavor, along with a non-alcoholic elderflower lime and mint “Virgin” Spritz. (Saint Spritz)
Kendall Jenner launched 818 Tequila, a new brand of "best-tasting tequila" in 2021. Although, she got some criticism for Mexican cultural appropriation, the 818 Anejo has been rated as the best bang for the buck among celebrity tequilas. (818 Tequila)
Kendall Jenner launched 818 Tequila, a new brand of "best-tasting tequila" in 2021. Although, she got some criticism for Mexican cultural appropriation, the 818 Anejo has been rated as the best bang for the buck among celebrity tequilas. (818 Tequila)
Kendall Jenner and Chris Stapleton teamed up to create the “Calabasas Cowboy,” a spin on the classic Gold Rush cocktail, made with 818 Tequila and Traveller Whiskey. (Courtesy of 818 Tequila and Traveller Whiskey)
Kendall Jenner and Chris Stapleton teamed up to create the “Calabasas Cowboy,” a spin on the classic Gold Rush cocktail, made with 818 Tequila and Traveller Whiskey. (Courtesy of 818 Tequila and Traveller Whiskey)
Buffalo Trace Distillery’s master distiller Harlen Wheatley, at left, and musician Chris Stapleton collaborated on Traveller Whiskey. The whiskey, Stapleton says, "represents our shared history but also a common artistic vision and uncompromising standards of taste." (The Sazerac Co.)
Buffalo Trace Distillery’s master distiller Harlen Wheatley, at left, and musician Chris Stapleton collaborated on Traveller Whiskey. The whiskey, Stapleton says, "represents our shared history but also a common artistic vision and uncompromising standards of taste." (The Sazerac Co.)

Sammy Hagar helped kick off the celebrity booze brand trend with Cabo Wabo tequila, which he founded in 1996 and sold in 2008 for $100 million. Since then, he's launched new tequila and rum products. And many other celebrities have gotten into the game. Here, Hagar meets guests during a launch party for his Red Rocker Beer at the Fillmore Detroit's State Bar on Oct. 23, 2023.

The study included 525 adults recruited through the online research platform Prolific. Participants first completed a standardized cognitive ability assessment, answering 68 multiple-choice questions based on material from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Wines, a beginner-to-intermediate certification course "exploring wines, suitable for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts."

The questions covered several topics, including grape varieties, winemaking, wine regions, sparkling and fortified wines, and wine storage and service.

People who scored higher on the cognitive ability test also tended to score higher on the wine knowledge test. Intelligence alone explained about 9% of the differences in participants' wine knowledge scores.

But intelligence wasn't the only factor.

People with professional experience in the wine industry generally knew more about wine. The relationship between intelligence and wine knowledge was also stronger among people with greater professional exposure to the industry.

The researchers found that people who primarily drank wine also tended to have more wine knowledge. But drinking wine did not strengthen the relationship between intelligence and wine knowledge in the same way professional experience did.

The study found that professional experience with wine was associated with greater wine knowledge. The link between cognitive ability and wine knowledge was also stronger among people with more professional experience in the wine industry.

The researchers said working with wine can provide repeated exposure, feedback and incentives to learn more about the subject.

"Cognitive ability and structured experience do more than contribute independently; they reinforce one another," researcher Maximilian Krolo told Food & Wine Magazine.

The study does not show that drinking wine makes people smarter, or that knowing more about wine means individuals have a higher intelligence.

The researchers also cautioned that their study cannot establish that intelligence causes people to develop greater wine knowledge. The study was conducted at one point in time, and the wine test was adapted from WSET Level 2 materials rather than the official certification exam.

The test also measured factual wine knowledge and did not include a tasting component.

Still, the researchers said the findings support the idea that general intelligence can play a role in acquiring specialized knowledge, even outside traditional educational or workplace settings.

They suggested future research could examine whether similar patterns appear in other specialized subjects, including hobbies such as classical music or birdwatching.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected] or on X @athompsonUSAT

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What knowledge of this drink may reveal about your intelligence