SUB-ZERO WINE BLOG

Well, I guess I can go ahead and retire. Not that I want to—professional bon vivant isn’t the worst job in the world—but, unfortunately, wine experts like me are being rendered obsolete by technology even as you read this. By robots. Yes, I know robots can built automobiles and even vacuum your floor these days, but now it seems some ingenious Japanese inventors have come up with a robot with the ability to discern good wine from bad. Not only does this tin-can connoisseur assess the quality, it can even name the specific brand . . . and recommend a cheese to pair along with it. “Danger, Will Robinson! Cabernet Franc does not go with Gruyere!” Researchers at NEC System Technologies are the geniuses who came up with this silicon sommelier substitute. The robot uses an infrared spectrometer to determines the wine’s chemical composition. Once the wine is identified, the robot offers a little descriptor—perhaps “oily” for a Chardonnay?—and recommends what to pair it with. Buying one currently costs as much a new car, but at least I can enjoy my retirement without the aggravation of having to pick out my own cheese.