Last January I was all fired up when I saw a video of MS Surface (the Microsoft program that can turn tabletops into computers) used as a wine educator. With the flip of a hand, the demonstrator was a virtual wine steward, taking us through a restaurant table that allowed him to select wines based on parameters like acidity, body and depth. At his fingertips he found recommended food pairings and even viewed a map of the winery’s location. His glass was associated with his chosen wine, so that placing the glass on the table brought up the wine’s information. He lit up the rim of the glass based on how much he liked the wine, showing us a way to mix and mingle with other oenophiles. You can imagine the possibilities!

If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here:

The problem is that MS Surface won’t be ready for consumers for a few years and I’ve yet to see any imitations of it that work in a functional, inspiring way. On the two occasions when I’ve visited a bar that boasts a “virtual wine list” I’ve shut it off, after frantically waving my hands at it, not getting far. It’s a shame because I think there is a lot of potential here.

If used in a wine shop, customers are no longer forced to rely on the employees’ knowledge of each wine. People would be free to explore  beyond the back label, on their own. Waiters become nearly defunct in wine bars if people can order from their table and mark their preferences for further recommendations. Whether the electronic wine surface functions well or not I wonder, are people interested in this?  There is something to be said for having an exchange with a real person, and learning about wine from their perspective. Maybe computers take some of the humanity and fun out of the wine drinking experience. On the other hand, if people have the freedom to explore on their own, a lot of the intimidation factor is removed. People who might be scared to approach a clerk or ask a question of their waiter are free to explore to their heart’s delight. I see both sides of the coin.

Have you seen an electronic wine educator at a wine bar or shop near you? What do you think about this potential development?

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