Designing Wine Tasting Experiences for All: The Role of Human Diversity and Personal Food Memory
摘要
Wine tourism is a rapidly growing sector, valued at $29.6 billion globally in 2023, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.9%. However, traditional wine tasting practices are rooted in Western cultural norms, limiting their appeal to a diverse global audience. This study explores how human diversity and personal food memory can create more inclusive and engaging wine tasting experiences, particularly for Chinese tourists. Over 11 months, we conducted field studies in Xinjiang, Shandong, and Tuscany with 23 Chinese participants. Data were collected through observations, audio/video recordings, and follow-up interviews. The Abilities, Necessities, and Aspirations (ANA) framework was applied to identify cross-cultural adaptation challenges. Our findings reveal that 76% of participants found Western wine terminology difficult to understand, while 83% preferred describing wine flavors using familiar food-related terms like “pickled radish” and “sun-dried plums”. Additionally, 68% reported increased confidence and enjoyment when connecting wine flavors to personal food memories. We propose a three-part framework for designing inclusive wine tasting experiences: adapting tasting guides to reflect cultural differences, balancing sensory exploration with social elements, and integrating personal food memory into flavor descriptions. This study provides practical guidelines for developing culturally sensitive wine tasting experiences, improving engagement and satisfaction among diverse audiences.