Choose to be Curious Ep. #310: Wine & A Taste for Curiosity, with Alicia Towns Franken
Jan 14, 2026
Alicia Towns Franken, sommelier and Wine Unify leader with 25+ years in hospitality, talks wine as a sensory, social, and political lens. Short reflections cover wine education, breaking representation barriers, tasting vocabulary and aromas, building community and accessible tastings, and playful pairing ideas.
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Curiosity Changed Her Career
- Alicia Towns Franken switched careers from neuropsychology to wine after a single burgundy sparked deep curiosity.
- Tasting that wine led her to ask who made it and learn the stories behind bottles, redirecting her life.
Meet Drinkers Where They Are
- Meet people where they are and gently expand their palate instead of intimidating them with jargon.
- Help customers trust their taste and respect budgets to build repeat business.
Flavor Language Is Cultural
- Wine descriptors rely on associations rooted in individual experience and culture, not literal ingredients.
- People use different vocabulary because their smell and flavor memories come from different backgrounds.