Intervention density: how often, not how deep
The standard
A counted intervention density records the number of operations across the whole path, rather than viewing single measures in isolation; only the sum shows how often the cellar's hand is applied.
Criteria
- The interventions are counted across the whole path from harvest to bottling
- Each intervention counts on its own, regardless of its depth
- Repetitions of the same intervention are recorded, not merged
- The count separates mandatory from chosen interventions
Distinction
Intervention density ≠ intervention depth: the counted intervention density measures how often one intervenes, depth measures how fundamentally. Intervention density ≠ quality: more or fewer interventions say nothing in themselves about a wine's merit.