New app turns any wine bottle into blind tasting quiz

A new app that transforms any collection of wine bottles into a multiple choice blind tasting quiz has been launched, inviting players to test their tastebuds while learning about wine in a fun and informal setting.

WineGame started as a “late-night lark” between co-founders Rob Wilder and his “partner-in-wine”, José Andrés, who would often challenge each other to name the wine cloaked in a paper bag.

After 20 years of low-tech wine tasting with friends, now a the pair have developed a high-tech version, with the help of software designer Gary Mendel, with the game intended to be both entertaining and educational.

“Our goal was to utilise technology so that all players – from experienced drinkers to those new to wine – can be winners,” explains Wilder. “WineGame’s mission is to replace intimidating stigmas about wine education with a fun experience where all can experiment, engage with wine and learn.”

The app works by inviting a host to first input their wines by taking a picture of each label before concealing the wine labels from guests. All players can login in on their own device using a code generated by the host. The app then generates a multiple choice quiz that challenges players in turn to identify the grape, country, region and vintage/label of a wine, drawing on a database that includes “nearly every bottle of wine in the world”.

Three tries are allowed per question, with points awarded at each level.

“Wine is certainly having a moment – the market right now is huge, and still growing,” adds Wilder. “And everyone loves to game on their phones, especially millennials, our most enthusiastic wine-lovers. This might be the only legitimate time you can enjoy wine, hang out with friends, AND play with your phone without attracting disdain for being anti-social.”

The app is free to download from the Apple app store and Google play.