My Wine World

Can AI Save Wine?

 

English Summary of the Article: "L’IA va-t-elle sauver le vin ?

The article explores the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in viticulture, winemaking, and the wine market. It argues that AI is not merely a technological novelty but a strategic tool that may help address several key challenges facing the wine sector today, particularly those driven by climate variability, disease pressure, labor shortages, and consumer behavior shifts. 

The discussion focuses on three main areas of impact:

  • 1. Vineyard Management: AI-powered sensors and data models
    enable real-time monitoring of vine health, soil conditions, irrigation, and disease
    risk. This precision approach helps winemakers protect yields, optimize treatments,
    and adapt to increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions.
  • 2. Winemaking & Quality Control: Machine learning tools can support fermentation tracking, lab analysis, and
    predictive modeling, giving winemakers better control over outcomes. These tools
    do not replace sensory expertise but enhance it, making decision-making more
    informed and consistent.
  • 3. Market & Consumer Interaction: AI-driven recommendation engines, digital assistants, and market analytics help wine brands
    understand global demand patterns, personalize consumer experiences, and improve commercial strategies. The article concludes that AI will not eliminate the human dimension of wine. Instead, it will strengthen it by augmenting human
    judgement, protecting terroir expression, and securing the future of wineries under environmental and economic pressure.

Source: Bettane+Desseauve – En Magnum

URL: https://www.mybettanedesseauve.fr/2025/12/08/lia-va-t-elle-sauver-le-vin/

Date: 8 December 2025

MAIS POURQUOI *

*but why ?

Why can't you take your unfinished bottle of Romanee Conti wine with you from a restaurant ?

Tasting One of the World’s Most Expensive Wines: What Makes It So Special?

For most wine lovers, opening a bottle valued at thousands—or even tens of thousands—of euros is an experience that remains theoretical. In the featured video, however, the presenter does exactly that: she opens and tastes one of the most expensive wines in the world, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the sensory and emotional impact of such a bottle.

While the video does not focus on scoring or formal criticism, it does answer one of the most persistent questions in fine wine culture: what makes wines like Romanée-Conti and other Grand Crus so extraordinary?

 

A Wine That Evolves With Every Sip

The first key observation is how dramatically the wine evolves in the glass. From the initial pour to the final sip, aromas expand, textures shift and new layers emerge. This continuous development is characteristic of top-tier Pinot Noir from Burgundy, where delicacy and complexity replace sheer power.

Instead of offering a single dominant note, the wine unfolds gradually. Red and dark fruits, florals, subtle earthy tones and fine spices appear in different sequences. The presenter notes that each sip tastes slightly different from the previous one, illustrating the dynamic nature of a great Burgundy.

Rarity, Heritage, and Terroir

Although not discussed in technical detail, the video aligns with well-known reasons for the extraordinary valuation of these bottles:

  • They originate from some of the smallest and most prestigious climats in Burgundy.

  • Production is extremely limited, often measured in a few thousand bottles per year.

  • Vineyards such as Romanée-Conti carry centuries of heritage and a near-mythical status among collectors and sommeliers.

  • Secondary market demand and global scarcity push prices to remarkable levels.

These factors combine to form what collectors call true unicorn wines—bottles that are not merely consumed, but remembered.

 

 

Why You Cannot Simply Take the Bottle Home

One of the more surprising details highlighted in the video is that even after paying for such a legendary bottle in a top restaurant, guests typically cannot take the remainder home.  There is a practical aspect: elite restaurants serving rare Grand Crus manage provenance, storage and service with great precision. Removing partially consumed bottles undermines traceability and cellaring standards. For collectible wines—especially at Burgundy Grand Cru level—provenance and chain of custody influence authenticity, valuation and even insurance coverage.

In short: these wines are meant to be experienced at the table, not taken away. The rule protects both legal compliance and the integrity of the wine itself.

In one of the restaurants I go to for lunch with my customers in Gevrey Chambertin there are several empty bottles shown. I asked for one as a present being a long time relation. They told me they can not do that, because it is forbidden by the winemaker. Empty bottles can be refilled with cheap wine for example. And yes, they can trace back every bottle. They are all numbered and Romanee Conti knows the whereabouts of each bottle.

An Emotional Experience, Not Just a Tasting Note

Another theme of the video is the emotional dimension. Opening such a bottle is not an everyday event; it is surrounded by anticipation and reverence. The presenter emphasizes the privilege of the moment more than technical analysis.

This mirrors the broader reality of ultra-premium wine culture: at the highest level, wine transcends beverages and becomes an experience, a memory, and sometimes a story that defines a lifetime of tasting.

Conclusion

The video offers an accessible window into a world that few get to explore up close. Rather than presenting complex tasting grids or technical winemaking details, it conveys the underlying truth of Burgundy at its peak: great wines are alive, evolving from moment to moment, offering nuance, grace, and a tangible connection to place and history.

It leaves viewers with a simple insight: the fascination with the world’s most expensive wines is not solely about price—it is about terroir, rarity, and the unforgettable sensory journey they provide

Source:  Grand Cru Affair with Anya Gariboldi

Url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWr54eBq5sc

Date:  Jan 14, 2026 

 

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