At the risk of stating the obvious, we are deeply passionate about wine. While it may take centre stage at our dinner parties, fine wine is more often the quiet background music that lends warmth and ease to an evening – a role not to be underestimated. The noble drink carries centuries of history as a catalyst for connection. We have Ancient Greece & Rome to thank for the origins of today’s “business lunch”; sharing food has long symbolised peace, trust, and belonging. One simply does not break bread with an enemy. In the same way, wine creates a space that encourages conversation, presence, and rapport. So, is popping corks good for business?
The Science
Alcohol crosses the blood–brain barrier within minutes, influencing multiple neurochemical pathways. It increases GABA, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety – one reason wine can feel socially liberating. It also triggers dopamine release reinforcing pleasure and positive association with the moment. Serotonin levels may rise temporarily, enhancing mood and sociability. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex – responsible for judgement and self-control – is slightly inhibited, often making people more talkative, creative, and emotionally expressive.
The Sentiment
Beyond reducing inhibitions, the symbolic act of sharing a bottle (or even just a glass) invites people to step out of a purely transactional mindset and into a more human space. Wine is personal: it brings out stories, memories, cultural identity, and sensory experience. In an age of hyper-efficient, digital exchange, it is one of the few rituals that slows us down enough to actually see and appreciate one another. It is not the alcohol itself, but the ceremony around it that can transform a formal interaction into a meaningful relationship.
The Sense
To be clear, this is not an argument for drinking more. Rather, it is a recognition of wine’s dual chemistry – the alchemy in the glass, and the reactions created in the room around it. In the wake of the pandemic, our collective quest for efficiency has dramatically reduced the time we spend truly interacting. When we do come together, engagement is therefore all the more important, and all the more powerful. We believe wine will always have a supporting role to play in making these moments memorable, meaningful, and absolutely worthwhile.