WeeklySA_AdminEXPERTISE: Artificial intelligence is currently on everyone’s lips. How will affect the wine on the glass?
By Felicity Carter
Blind wine tasting competitions are stressful, even for the most skilled tasters, but Konstantin Baum MW was a picture of calm.
He accepted a glass of red wine, tasted it, and then began to characterise the wine. He made it sound so appealing, that many in the audience looked like they wanted a glass, too. But then the artificial sommelier went to work. Line after line of text appeared on the screen, diving in to every aspect of the wine.
Baum was up against sommelier.bot, a machine with an extraordinary level of wine expertise. Which one of them represents the future?
The blind tasting was the last session of the recent Meininger’s Wine Goes Tech conference in Düsseldorf, held the day before ProWein.
The day began with a presentation by Hans-Christian Boos, who said that there was too much “bullshit being talked about artificial intelligence,” mostly by people who don’t understand what it is.
Boos is a former member of the Digital Council of the Federal Government of Germany who is active in the European start-up scene, and has even worked with the US military. Many people, he said, think that artificial intelligence is Chat-GPT or Dall-E, which lets people create new texts and pictures. “If it was just that, we wouldn’t have to worry,” he said. “Artificial intelligence is something completely different — it’s about ending the era of industrialisation.”
“Artificial intelligence is about ending the era of industrialisation.” The industrial revolution was about exploiting economies of scale, he went on, where a process would be created, standardised and scaled. “The whole point is that we produce a lot of the same thing, and that makes it cheaper. We’ve standardised it, we’ve consolidated it, and then we’ve built a machine that does the same thing, over and over.”
At present, said Boos, 30% of everything is automated — but by 2025, that number will be 50%. “This is a speed none of us could imagine,” he said. “It took us 200 years to get to 30%, and seven to get to 50%. The change you’re going to experience is going to be mind-boggling.” But where industrialisation allowed humans to make the same product over and over at speed, AI offers the promise of individualisation. When it comes to agriculture, AI will let viticulturists consider the needs of each individual plant. It will also let businesses craft individual messages for each customer.
What AI is not, however, is a machine with a mind of its own. That, says Boos, is science fiction. “The AI that is going to stand in front of you and say, ‘I love you?’” he said. “Sorry, you’re going to have to wait at least 150 years for that.”
But while “the love bot” may take a while, the audience heard from a range of experts that AI and other cutting-edge technology is already fulfilling some of its science fiction promise.
Félix Solis Ramos, Commercial Director of Spanish giant Félix Solis Aventis, did a very interesting presentation on how much of their production is now done by robots, while winemaker Fabrizio Marinconz revealed how the giant co-operative Cavit in Trento has combined its geological, water and vine information together, to give an extremely fine understanding of all their different terroirs.
The technology alerts growers to any problems, so they can take remedial action before the problem gets out of hand.
How did sommelier.bot perform?
For the moment, sommeliers who work the floor are safe. Baum’s explanation of the Pinot Noir in his glass was simply more human and interesting than that of the sommelier bot. In fact, the sommelier.bot came across like a wine geek who is eager to tell you everything there is to know about a wine, whether you want to hear it or not.
But that’s not the point. High-end restaurants are unlikely to wheel out robots any time soon. Instead, programmes like sommelier.bot may soon be able to offer online consumers exactly what they’re looking for. Which, in turn, will help wine retailers sell the right wine to the right customer.
That’s the promise — what’s the reality?
Professor Simone Loose of Geisenheim University brought things down to earth. She presented the results of a German business survey done in November 2023, which asked people across the wine trade about their use of digital.
Prof Loose noted that only part of the wine value chain can be digitised — after all, vines are only planted once every 30 years or so, and the grapes are only harvested once a year. “But the sales machine is running every day,” which means the ability to speak to customers individually offers enormous potential for marketing.
The survey revealed, she said, that the finance, accounting, sales and marketing departments of wine companies are already using digital solutions. However, Prof Loose also said it was clear the wine industry is sitting watching other industries leap ahead and is failing to take advantage of the potential opportunities offered by the technology.
This is despite the fact that the businesses she surveyed agreed that the future is digital. The problem is most of them don’t have the time or resources to take full advantage of the new technologies.
The wine industry is failing to take advantage of the potential opportunities offered by the technology.
“You have a huge oversupply,” she said, noting that there are wineries investing €1.30 to produce each litre of wine — which can then only be sold for 80c a Litre. In such a market, there’s very little appetite for spending money on new technologies.
Prof Loose ended by saying that the only way the wine sector will be able to embrace the new technology is if it embraces better financial models.
First, the sector needs to understand its costs properly, and then it needs to find ways to cover those costs.s “The first task to get the sector back on track,” she said, was economic sustainability. “And then we will have the money to invest into all the digital solutions.” – Source: Meininger’s International
EVENTS
PnP Wine Show in Jozi
,The Pick n Pay Wine and Food Festival Johannesburg will ring the start of summer by celebrating South African wines at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg from October 5 and 6. Visitors to the two-day will enjoy award-winning wines, delicious food options and live music at The Wanderers Club. In addition, they have the opportunity to sample wines from approximately 50 top estates. And if you love bubbles, you’re in for a treat with a variety of Cap Classique and sparkling wines for all to enjoy.
The food market section will serve an assortment of dishes prepared with fresh ingredients such as fish and chips, fresh salads, sushi and indulgent cheese and charcuterie boards.
A popular fixture, the Pick n Pay Tasting Room Sessions, will take wine lovers on ultimate sensory journey with celebrity chef that will involve pairing wines with freshly prepared gourmet canapés. Another hotspot at the show will be the VIP hospitality area, which gives guests exclusive access to a dedicated shaded seating area, where you can enjoy the day in comfort and style, complete with complimentary food and beverage service.
Tickets, available via Webtickets, cost R275 for general access, which gets you a day pass, a wine glass, 20 wine tasting vouchers. The R375 ticket includes access to the Tasting Room. VIP hospitality tickets available at R2850. The events starts at 12pm and lasts until 6pm.
WineX Coming Soon
South Africa’s premier consumer event – Standard Bank WineX – takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from October 30 to November 1.
Early Bird tickets are on sale now, with special offers via online purchases valid until 20 October. Thereafter, full rate tickets are available online and at the door.
Johannesburg is soon to be awash with the shades of wine in time for the arrival of at least 140 exhibitors in Sandton – to comprise a variety of well-known award-winning cellars and boutique brands, a range of artisanal foodies and bespoke accessory suppliers.
The all-popular Tasting Theatre programme (small group themed 30-minute tastings with the wine maker) will again be in full swing.
Early bird tickets available via webtickets: October 31 (R240); November 1 (R275) per ticket. Full rate tickets from October 21 and at the door: October 31 (R275); November 1 (R345) per ticket. Standard Bank clients will receive a discount of up to 30% on their ticket purchase, limited to four tickets per transaction.
Cellar Rats Fest
Cellar Rats Spring Wine Festival, brought to you by Mix 93.8, will unfurl a wine tasting fiesta along the riverbank at Riversands Farm Village in Johannesburg on October 5.
Wine lovers will treated to an outdoor fun day complemented by unlimited tasting of wines from a host of producers who will be presenting a variety of wines, bubbles, craft gin, deli products and more for your enjoyment.
Bring along your camping chairs, blankets, umbrellas or gazebos for shade. Set up a spot along the riverbank and enjoy the food and wine that will be available. The Riversands kids entertainment area is available, although a fee may be required. No cooler boxes, picnic baskets or braais will be permitted as food, soft drinks, water and alcoholic beverages will be sold through the Riversands stalls. Tickets cost R240 per person.
LET’S WINE
Gqeberha wine lovers will be spoilt for choice of their favourite nectar during the Let’s Wine Festival, which takes place today and tomorrow.
The venue is Old Grey Sports Club, 2 Lenox Street, Glendinningvale, and the show will start at 1pm on both days. The show starts at R250 a person
The Let’s Wine Festival brings together the finest South African wines, captivating art, and vibrant entertainment. The wines to be showcased will reflect Cape winelands’ rich heritage and diverse flavours that will tantalise palates of both wine connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike. Tickets available via Quicket cost R250 a person for a day pass or R400 for a weekend Pass.
BenVINO FEST
A total of 25 prestigious wineries will be represented at the BenVINO Spring Wine Festival to be held at the Ekurhuleni town of Benoni tomorrow. The spring event takes place on 114 Waterhouse Road, Benoni North, and follows as a result of the immense success of the inaugural BenVino wine festival in June this year.
Val Di Terra will again be hosting the tasting at the Benoni agricultural holdings, showcasing fine wines produced by 25 of South Africa’s premier wine farms.
Included in the ticket price is a tasting glass and unlimited tastings of a selection of the over 200 wines on show.
Visitors to the show will experience a relaxed ambience while browsing through a newly introduced arts and crafts area. Seating will be provided and there will be various shaded areas, however, bring fold-up chairs if you wish.
Bloem EkASI Wine Fest
The eKasi Wine and Music Festival is set to sizzle wine lovers in the Free State of Bloemfontein on September 28.
The venue is The Rambler’s Club situated on 52 Aliwal Street, and organisers promise guests a day of awesome beats, amazing wines, and more!
Tickets are R50 and include wine tastings. Pre-booked tickets available now on Quicket. The line-up of wines to be tasted include 4th Street Wines, Graca, Drostdy Hof, JC Le Roux, Nederburg Wines, Durbanville Hills and Pongracz. The event starts at 11am.
CWG Wine Auction
The 40th annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction is set to take place at Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West in the Western Cape on October 4 and 5.
Recognised as South Africa’s leading wine auction and open to the wine trade and general public, the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction offers rare wines with a creative edge and great diversity of style.
The auction will be held at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West and will take place over two days, Friday evening and Saturday during the day.
All the wines that will be going under the hammer will be offered on both days. Guests will have the opportunity to attend and bid live in the auction hall or virtually live from anywhere in the world. Being a Virtual Live auction, online, telephonic and commission bidding will also be available. Those wishing to bid will be able to register online with Strauss & Co. The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction will be split into two sessions: October 4 from 16h00 – 20h00; from 09h00 – 16h00 on October 5. Those interested in bidding can register via Strauss & Co website. If unable to attend, bidders have the option of bidding online in real-time via the Strauss & Co website. – Compiled by Len Maseko
