Wine Tasting Via Computer

smooth wombat writes "What makes a good wine? Why do some wines have a smooth, almond-like bouquet while others have a sharper, more acidic bite to them? These questions and more have usually been answered by oenologists who can list the subtle nuances of a particular wine and tell you if it's good or not. However, vinters don't have the luxury of waiting until a wine is ready to be drunk to know if they have produced a good, drinkable product. Lorenz "Larry" Biegler, who teaches chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, in conjunction with industry scientists in Chile, is working on mathematical formulas to automate the fermentation process, adjusting ingredients and conditions to ensure robust flavors and higher yields from grape harvests. The researchers have been collaborating for more than two years and are studying only white wines, since reds are more complex and contain solids that make them difficult to analyze."

Comments

Enologix

[blakestah]

There's a lot of money in this. Not surprisingly, a former vintner decided to make this into a company. In the past they have accurately ranked wine involved in taste comparisons by experts. Unexpectedly, they use a one dimensional scale which works, suggesting the wine judges use a one dimensional scale too.

The exact formula is a mystery/trade secret. But it is no secret that Enologix tests many of the top wines at various points in production, and they AVERAGE a 5-6 point rating increase for the first year they are contracted by their clients.

I've been to their web site before when it was useful and worked...right now they appear to be hosed.

Re:Ouch

[ToasterofDOOM]

IIRC, it was Victory Gin actually, but I see where you are coming from (Yes, I did have to flaunt my interest in Orwellian literature =D) (And I have lots of karma to burn)

Wine

[Pompatus]

Personally, my drink of choice is Crown and diet, but since I worked as a bartender for a wine bar for 2 years, I have a passing knowledge of wine. So here's my take. The statement "These questions and more have usually been answered by oenologists who can list the subtle nuances of a particular wine and tell you if it's good or not." is misleading. It doesn't matter what "oenologists" say about a wine. If you want to find a "good" wine, try out several different ones and decide which one YOU like. Then find the least expensive wine you can find that suits your taste. My 2 personal favorites are the 1999 Katheryn Kennedy Lateral, and (cant remember the year) J. Bookwalter Merlot. However, right now I'm drinking a 2003 Rosemont Estate Shiraz, because it is quite similar to those 2, but it is $9 at the local grocery. And lastly, the most important thing. After you learn enough to bullshit your way through a wine conversation (the last 2 sentances made me sound like I know what I'm talking about, huh?), you can talk about it and enjoy it while not appearing to be a drunk. Because wine FUCKS YOU UP :)