NASA technology can identify grape disease from the sky

NASA has used aerial imaging to help identify wine grape disease, paving the way for rapid response by producers before it is too late.  According to the LA Times, the technology can detect “early signs” of plant virus grapevine leafroll virus, which is spread by the mealybug. Traditionally, due…

Steve Jobs had a ‘beer test’ for Apple interviews

While most interviews involve formal sit-downs in a boardroom, Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs had a unique take on hiring staff: the “beer test”. According to as.com, Jobs would ask himself, “Would I have a beer with this person?” and as a result would conduct interviews with an…

All of Austria’s vineyards are now digitally accessible

An online tool now shows where an Austrian wine comes from, as well as the factors that influence its flavour. The tool means that anyone wanting to research the properties of Austrian Rieds – vineyards – can now find exactly what they are looking for on austrianvineyards.com. Since their…

Are NFTs the future of the premium drinks market?

BlockBar, the world’s first direct-to-consumer non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace for wine and spirits, is using blockchain technology to cause a stir in the drinks sector. db spoke with the company’s founders to find out more. Cousins Sam and Dov Falic worked extensively with their family in the duty-free…

Scientists develop new wine-tasting AI technology

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), based in Maryland, have created artificial intelligence able to virtually ‘taste’ wine with more than 95% accuracy. New AI technology developed by scientists in the US has passed a wine-tasting test with flying colours, proving a “more efficient…