AI Can't Taste. Why Do People Let It Pick Their Wine?

"If you're in a place where the wine list is extensive, and there's a sommelier, that's part of what you're paying for. It's included in the price. Talking about wine with an expert who hasn't been trained on your speech and thought patterns is an investment that pays dividends, too. The practice not only helps you develop your own sense of taste, but can also make it easier to find glasses and bottles you'll enjoy in the future."

"Unlike any AI app, a qualified somm has tasted each bottle on their list and can guide you through its nuances. For instance, maybe you're eyeing a Georgian Saperavi to pair with your roast lamb. An AI tool can inform you that Saperavi is a tannic red. But the somm can explain why that particular, qvevri-aged bottle is softer and rounder than others."

"There's nothing wrong with not knowing anything about wine or not knowing what to order. That's literally what the staff is there for. Good hospitality professionals aren't judging you, either."

Using AI to select wine diminishes the value proposition of dining establishments that employ trained sommeliers as part of their service offering. Direct conversation with knowledgeable wine professionals develops personal taste preferences and fluency in wine knowledge more effectively than algorithmic recommendations. Sommeliers have tasted every bottle on their list and can explain specific nuances, such as how particular production methods affect a wine's characteristics. Hospitality professionals welcome questions from guests unfamiliar with wine, viewing education as their core responsibility. Unlike AI applications, sommeliers provide contextual knowledge about grape varieties, regional winemaking traditions, and food pairings through organic conversation, enabling diners to build comprehensive wine understanding without formal study.

Read at Bon Appetit