What Does Wine Mean to You? Uncorking the Science and Magic of Happiness

When asked what wine means to them, most people experience a brief moment of perplexity…

a few seconds of silence… and then the responses emerge: "to relax," "fun with friends, for company," "what else? It’s not that bad, right?"

However, there are those who have been captivated by the sophisticated trend of fine dining establishments offering gastronomic menus paired with wines for each course, or those who travel, especially to "wine" countries, savoring a variety of wines. These connoisseurs know that Pinot Noir or Riesling is not merely wine but a grape variety, and that, say, Cava and Franciacorta can fully satisfy their craving for traditional bubbles, especially if they know which vineyards to explore. Yet even these wine aficionados struggle to answer the question: what does wine mean to you?

Txakoli Signature Wine from the Spanish Basque Country

After a few minutes of dialogue, many of my interlocutors return to me with the same question, now directed at me… The pleasure and joy I feel at this moment are profound! It signifies not only their interest in our current discussion, perhaps a tasting, but also their curiosity about the essence of the question itself. They seek answers from me, through me… WOW… I realize that these minutes or hours will become treasured moments in the mosaic of our lives.

Personal Reflection of Wine

For me, wine is passion, enigma, fairy tale, art, history, science, life… All of this I perceive, sense, and experience in a glass of wine. True is the sensation of inner tranquility coupled with the thrill of discovery, the desire to unveil and surrender to all the aromas that, with their magical ethers, stir your memory and create new neural pathways; the visual ecstasy from the crisp hues of pure gold to the profound depth of ruby nectar. Wine is an adult fairy tale, especially for those who believe in miracles.

Quantum Leap of Consciousness

There is a Russian proverb: "A fairy tale is a lie, but there’s a hint in it — a lesson for good lads." The renowned scientist, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev, known as the creator of the Periodic Table of Elements, used it in his reflections on the importance of intuition and creativity in scientific discoveries. Mendeleev believed that myths and folklore often contain kernels of truth that can inspire scientific thinking and lead to significant breakthroughs.

From my experience as a sommelier, the essence of the question "What does wine mean to you?" is tied to a springboard to personal happiness, which, of course, is unique for everyone. Essentially, wine can help a person discover their own happiness. This seemingly "crazy" interpretation aligns well with both scientific and cultural perspectives.

Wine as a Goad for Happiness

It is a proven fact that endorphins are "happiness hormones." In their scientific work, "Why humans love alcohol," Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Oxford, and Kim Hockings, Lecturer in Biosciences at the University of Exeter, stated: "The key to this is that alcohol consumption triggers the brain’s endorphin system. Endorphins are opioid neurotransmitters that are part of the brain’s pain management system. Indeed, endorphins as analgesics are 30 times more effective than morphine."

My theory is that wine is a catalyst for happiness.

While the biochemical effects of wine can create a foundation of positive feelings through the release of endorphins, the actual experience of happiness is influenced by many factors, including personal preferences, social context, and individual psychological state. Wine can help people explore and connect with their own sources of happiness: social interaction, establishing connections, and sharing experiences, fostering a sense of community and belonging; sensory pleasure: the tastes, aromas, and texture of wine provide sensory enjoyment, which can be especially meaningful for those who appreciate culinary experiences; relaxation and stress relief, creating an opportunity to reflect on what brings them joy and satisfaction.

The Cultural Narrative and Wine

Returning to the proverb "A fairy tale is a lie, but there’s a hint in it — a lesson for good lads," the cultural narrative around wine as a source of "happiness" contains a hint of truth grounded in the science of endorphins. The "lesson" for each person is to understand how wine, in moderation, can be a part of their personal journey to discovering what makes them happy.

Discovering What Wine Means to You

My theory that wine helps people discover their own happiness can provide a thoughtful and detailed answer to the question: "What does wine mean to you?"

What does wine mean to you? Share your story in the comments below or on our social media pages and connect with fellow wine lovers.