“Meet the Water Sommelier” — CBS Sunday Morning, 2021, 3:39 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YKbeh3cKpY
If you were to tell your friends you were going to a water tasting, what would they think? Water tastings may be an example of conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure. The act of purchasing a $200 bottle of water certainly signifies a high social class status, and so too does devoting leisure time (and $75) to learn about the nuanced differences between various brands of bottled water. Keep in mind that all of this is occurring in a world where 1 in 4 people do not have access to clean drinking water.
As a side note, there is also a connection we can make to the snobbery associated with distinctive tastes. For example, criticizing purified water in a manner that mirrors criticisms of processed foods.
From the video’s description: Martin Riese is America's first certified water sommelier, who studies the subtle flavors of bottled water, and prepares menus pairing specific brands with foods. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti sits down with Riese to discuss his unique palate, and his thirst for spreading the word on water.