Corey and Rachel chat with author, professor, wine writer, and historian Rod Phillips on the cultural impact of wine and how it evolved into a social staple over the centuries, influencing gatherings and community.

Key takeaways from the podcast include:

• Fom ancient rituals to modern gatherings, wine has been central to social interactions.
• The post-war boom established wine as a staple in family gatherings.
• Wine has transitioned into a symbol of culture and lifestyle beyond mere consumption.
• Younger generations are drinking less wine due to health concerns, influencing market trends.

Wine has traversed a long journey from ancient Greece to the modern table, evolving in significance and consumption patterns. As society shifts towards health consciousness and alternative socialization methods, understanding wine's cultural roots becomes increasingly important. For wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike, acknowledging its historical context can enrich the experience and foster deeper connections in our communities.

About Our Guest: Rod Phillips is a wine writer, wine historian, and wine judge based in Ottawa, Canada. He is also a professor of history at Carleton University where he teaches courses on European (especially French) history and the history of alcohol and food. Rod has written extensively on wine and its history including A Short History of Wine (2000), Ontario Wine Country (2006), Alcohol: A History (2014), French Wine: A History (2016), The Wines of Canada (2017), 9000 Years of Wine (2017), and Wine: A Social and Cultural History of the Drink that Changed our Lives (2018). He's a frequent contributor to NUVO Magazine, Canada’s leading luxury lifestyle publication, and contributes occasionally to The World of Fine Wine (U.K.). Rod has judged wine competitions in Canada, the US, France, Italy, New Zealand, and Chile, and serves as a judge for the TEXSOM International Wine Awards. More information on Rod can be found at https://www.rodphillipsonwine.com/

Corey and Rachel explore the role of emotional design in creating memorable hospitality experiences with Dr. Teresa Alaniz, focusing on how emotions influence customer choices and brand loyalty. Topics covered include:

• The role of emotions in product and service design
• Strategies to expand emotional vocabulary for better design
• The impact of emotional triggers on customer loyalty
• Balancing functionality and emotional appeal in hospitality
• Practical steps to incorporate emotional design in business

About Our Guest: Dr. Teresa Alaniz is Director of Design Delivery for NiEW, a strategy consulting firm based in Italy and Abu Dhabi, that helps build systems, teams, and operating models that drive product innovation. She holds a PhD in Management Engineering and is the author of Emotion-Driven Innovation: A Methodology to Envision Emotion-Focused New Product Ideas.

In this episode of Strategy Sessions, Corey and Rachel discuss the importance of human connection in the wine and hospitality industry. They explore how recent trends, including Mark Cuban's investment in experiential events, highlight a shift towards face-to-face engagement. The conversation emphasizes the need for hiring staff with emotional intelligence, creating memorable experiences through storytelling, and championing local products to foster community engagement. The hosts also reflect on the challenges posed by technology and the importance of maintaining genuine human interactions in a digital age.