The Brain in a Glass: Sant'Anna School Brings Wine Science to Brussels
Science, storytelling and territorial identity came together on 9 June 2026 in Brussels, at the Office of the Tuscany Region (Rond Point Schuman), for the closing event of the "Tuscan Territorial Identity" cycle promoted by TOUR4EU and the Alumni Association of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies. Four events held between June 2025 and June 2026, aimed at strengthening the network of the Tuscan community in Brussels around culture, research and territory — the last of which chose wine as its guiding thread.
At the heart of the evening, entitled "The Brain in a Glass — Wine Science as a Factor of Attractiveness for Tuscany", was the First-level Master's programme "Italian Wines and World Markets", presented by its director, Prof. Pietro Tonutti. Now in its eleventh consecutive edition, the programme is an established presence in the Tuscan and national higher education landscape: launched in the 2015/16 academic year, it trains professionals able to combine technical knowledge of viticulture and winemaking with skills in marketing, communication and the international promotion of Italian wine.
The programme is built on a collaboration between the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies — as lead institution — and the University of Pisa, the University of Siena and the University for Foreigners of Siena, with the support of the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS): upon completing the Master's, participants also receive the AIS Sommelier diploma. Admission is open to holders of any bachelor's degree, subject to selection.
The public engagement segment of the evening brought together Prof. Ugo Faraguna (University of Pisa) and writer and chemist Marco Malvaldi, in an exploration of how the brain interprets aromas, memories and emotions during wine tasting — an invitation to think of wine not merely as a product, but as a sensory and cultural experience.
The institutional dimension of the event was equally prominent. Among those present were H.E. Francesco Varriale, Consul General of Italy in Brussels, the Rector of the University of Florence Alessandra Petrucci, and Prof. Giuseppe Turchetti, Pro-Rector for Relations with Industry, Institutions and Territory at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and Vice President of the Alumni Association, who highlighted how food and wine culture represents both a marker of identity and a powerful driver of attractiveness for the Tuscany region.
The evening brought to a close a cycle that carried the Sant'Anna School — through its community of current and former students — to the heart of the European institutions, demonstrating how research, education and territory can engage in a virtuous dialogue well beyond national borders.
