Smart Innovations Changing The Wine Industry

Science and innovation have always been the backbone of winemaking, from the early monks studying grapevine cycles and changing their practices accordingly to modern innovations in fining and storage.

Fremont, CA: Over the next decade, the tremendous rate of technological innovation will almost certainly have a significant impact on the wine industry. In some cases, technology will provide solutions to challenges faced by grape farmers and winemakers; in others, it will alter how wine is packaged, purchased, and consumed.

Some of the innovations that are transforming the wine industry:

Managing vineyard threats

Problems in the vineyard have always been a source of concern for winemakers, as seen by the terrible phylloxera blight in the nineteenth century. With climate change becoming a greater hazard, winemakers must now consider a slew of other issues, and technology is stepping in to help tackle these threats. For example, a vineyard in Oregon has constructed a 'UV robot' to combat the plague of potentially devastating powdery mildew, and winemakers in Burgundy are combating violent storms with high-tech systems that release silver iodide particles into the atmosphere to build a hail shield.

Superfast cooling

Serving wine at its ideal temperature is crucial for a great tasting experience, but not everyone has the time or willingness to wait for a bottle to chill in the fridge. Juno, a device that uses reverse microwave technology to cool white and red wine to sommelier-recommended degrees in just three minutes, is here to help. Beer, coffee, and soft drinks can all be chilled with that device.

Personal service

Having a personal virtual sommelier on staff is the next best thing to having a personal sommelier on staff. This is WineCab's newest service, which includes an aesthetically appealing wine wall (shown) with an AI-powered virtual sommelier who can provide suggestions and personalized suggestions based on customer preferences. It even has a robotic arm that selects and displays each bottle.