Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Drinks tech takeover in 2024 and 2025

Published: 18 December, 2024

Jo Gilbert rifles back through a year filled with digital breakthroughs in drinks, dominated by the march of AI, while looking forward to what 2025 may bring.

Tech: Wine industry could do more to benefit from tech

Published: 14 October, 2024

Jo Gilbert reflects on a new Prowein business report and online discussion looking at digitalisation in the wine sector.

AI – drawing the line

Published: 11 July, 2024

From NPD to vineyard management, Jo Gilbert asks how AI can benefit the alcohol industry – and when it’s time to stop.

VineView launches precision GPS for vineyard management

Published: 01 July, 2024

VineView has introduced the PinPoint RTK, a GPS receiver designed to provide vineyard operators with highly accurate data collection capabilities. The PinPoint RTK uses Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology to offer accuracy within 2-5cm, significantly more precise than traditional GPS receivers, which typically have an accuracy of 2-4 metres.

Tech: Into the metaverse

Published: 20 March, 2024

The first blockchain-backed fine wine retailer to join the metaverse is opening a window into the future of virtual fine wine collecting, writes Jo Gilbert.

Prowein 2024: Wine industry needs to professionalise to survive

Published: 12 March, 2024

Economic sustainability is the big topic at Prowein this year, as the global cost of living crisis chafes against the challenges of decreasing consumption rates and an overabundance of supply.

Moldova unveils new AI-produced cuvées at Prowein

Published: 12 March, 2024

The controversial world of advanced technology has taken a new direction this week, as Wine of Moldova launches two new cuvées produced by AI at the 2024 edition of Prowein.

Tech: On the plus side of AI

Published: 26 January, 2024

Innovative tech, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is sometimes reserved only for large corporations with massive budgets. However, more and more SMEs are coming to the party, James Bayley finds.

Analysis: Critical thinking

Published: 13 December, 2023

From traditional print critics to social’s influencers, by way of encroaching AI, David Kermode weighs up the evolution of the critic.

Tech: Innovation on the AI spectrum

Published: 26 July, 2023

In a follow-up piece to last month’s ‘chat’ with Chat GPT, Jo Gilbert dives back into the world of generative AI, to find out more with regard to wine.

Guy Woodward: Wine is about people more than grapes

Published: 11 July, 2023

Rarely have I tried to recall an email as quickly as I did after notifying a female contact that it would be great if she could find time to meet up, as I’d heard how busty she was these days.

How will AI impact wine?

Published: 19 June, 2023

Jo Gilbert strays to the dark side, courtesy of ChatGPT.

Tim Atkin MW: Why AI matters

Published: 09 June, 2023

My friend Matt likes to confuse algorithms. “Every now and then, I type the first thing that comes into my head into Google, Facebook or Instagram,” he told me. “Emperor penguins, Everest, wrestling, Taylor Smith, cupcakes.” In a world where our digital footprint is used by everyone from advertisers to political parties, it’s a spirited attempt to put AI off the scent.

Vagabond launches new AI somm subscription service

Published: 02 December, 2021

Independent hybrid retailer Vagabond has embraced the digital revolution with the unveiling of a new consumer-facing interface, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

New Pix wine platform on global ‘matchmaking mission’

Published: 29 September, 2021

An ambitious new wine discovery platform is soon to launch with the aim of becoming the “biggest wine platform in the world,” according to its creators.

Technology: Power of the network

Published: 17 June, 2021

The phrase ‘content is king’ gained new meaning at this year’s LWF where two sessions focused on how runaway digital adoption rates among consumers are leading to seismic shifts around how the industry markets and sells wine. Jo Gilbert reports.

AI proving ‘most exciting catalyser’ of wine innovation

Published: 18 June, 2020

The advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software is by far the most exciting catalyser of innovation in the wine industry, according to speakers at an Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) webinar held yesterday (17 June).

Talking about the future: The Alexa effect

Published: 30 April, 2018

With intelligent personal assistants helping consumer engagement to become increasingly human and conversational, Jo Gilbert asks what’s in store for wines and spirits

Are you being served by AI?

Published: 23 February, 2018

Jo Gilbert tracks how artificial intelligence is emerging from the shadows, along with augmented reality, to become the ultimate interactive collaborator