Episode Topic: Ardent Spirits - The Essential Science

Have you ever wondered about all the science, engineering, technology, business and craftsmanship that goes into each sip of your favorite spirit? Ken Kuno, professor in the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, and Ron Runnebaum ‘96, associate professor in the department of viticulture and enology in the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at UC Davis, invite you to a conversation about what defines a spirit or a distilled beverage and what distinguishes the different products we are familiar with like whiskey, vodka, gin, or tequila. They will also discuss the science and engineering behind how spirits are produced and how the chemistry of different spirits affects how we taste and experience them.

Featured Speakers: 

• Ken Kuno, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Concurrent Professor of Physics, University of Notre Dame
• Ron C. Runnebaum '96, Assistant Professor, Department of Viticulture & Enology, Robert Mondavi Institute of Wine and Food Science, UC Davis

Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: go.nd.edu/db3f9a.

This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled “The Secret Life of Spirits”.

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