Spanish scientists develop "electronic tongue" that can taste wine for quality, drifter appeal

Look, we know the appeal of the occasional Franzia stand or one-armed Rossi pull, but at some point you've got to put the 20/20 down and stop drinking like a hobo -- and it sounds like a new device being developed in Spain might help you learn to appreciate some classy wine for once. The "electronic tongue," as it's called, features six sensors that can measure factors like acidity, sugar, and alcohol levels, and use them to determine the age and variety of the wine, just like NEC's adorable little drink-bot. The tongue is supposed to be used to help wine industry officials assess wine quality in the field and detect frauds, but we've got a feeling it's going to be a hit around snooty wine bars worldwide.

[Thanks, Yossi]

[Ryan @ Aug 5th 2008 7:37PM]

1st post! Im a loser...

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 5th 2008 8:08PM]

What the hell is a 'Scientiest' ?

[Sean @ Aug 5th 2008 8:15PM]

This post is the scientiest! It is scientier than you!

[o29 @ Aug 5th 2008 10:37PM]

Well at least you can admit it, but sorry, you're still getting low ranked.

[ThePete @ Aug 5th 2008 7:37PM]

COUGHtypointhetitleCOUGH

You can delete this if you want.

[Kevin Dickinson @ Aug 5th 2008 7:46PM]

Well great, I guess that's one less thing my girlfriend needs me for..

[Gian @ Aug 5th 2008 8:01PM]

What's a "scientiest"? :-)

[Dan @ Aug 5th 2008 8:26PM]

Just ask this trained SCIENTICIAN.

[Richard @ Aug 5th 2008 8:32PM]

I don't need an artificial tongue to tell me that I have bought a fine boxed wine.

[JR @ Aug 5th 2008 8:34PM]

Nah, your wallet does that for you.

[JR @ Aug 5th 2008 8:35PM]

Nah, your wallet does that for you.

[JR @ Aug 5th 2008 8:42PM]

Nah, your wallet does that for you.

[JR @ Aug 5th 2008 8:42PM]

Oh god I hate the comment system

[Haxxy @ Aug 5th 2008 9:35PM]

Nah, your computer does that for you.

[Michael Nelson @ Aug 6th 2008 1:16AM]

Nah, your wallet does that for you.

[Jack C @ Aug 6th 2008 11:10AM]

Does it?

[MrGam3r @ Aug 5th 2008 8:48PM]

'Scientiest' is totally the new in word for the plural of scientist. didnt anybody know?

[icepop4who @ Aug 5th 2008 9:07PM]

hey, this was featured in popular science. a gadget that detects amount of different minerals and whatever and predicts a taste. you can input your taste data(?) and it analyzes your enjoyment level.

fyi, it wasn't a full article, just a featured piece on future predictions.

[RWD fan @ Aug 5th 2008 9:09PM]

Not to be too picky here, but that box in the picture is for a winemaking kit, and not a box of wine.
http://www.winexpertusa.com/selection/

[RWD fan @ Aug 5th 2008 9:10PM]

Not to be too picky here, but that box in the picture is for a winemaking kit, and not a box of wine.
http://www.winexpertusa.com/selection/

(second attempt to post, can't see the first one...)

[albtms @ Aug 5th 2008 9:48PM]

I've got nothing but disdain for people who pretend to have class, especially if they think something as phony as wine tasting can give it to them. Very few people have senses keen/trained enough to tell the difference; the rest of them are just faking it.

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2008/01/higher_price_makes_c.html
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/cheap-wine/
(both pages have links to studies done on this matter, and there are many more to be found)

It just seems to me if people can tell the difference, why would they need such a machine? Don't they have experts for this kind of thing? But hey, I suppose the world of the snob is open to all now!

I'd prefer a tequila or whiskey, myself :) If you drink wine, do it for the health and save your money!

[Metkis @ Aug 5th 2008 11:16PM]

I had a girlfriend with an electronic tongue. It was a real...SHOCKER!

= 3

[Miles @ Aug 5th 2008 11:46PM]

robot?

[Bill @ Aug 6th 2008 12:05AM]

Well, seeing as how most "high end" dry wines taste like fouled water that someone left a dead cat carcass and rusty nails steep in, I'd much rather have this electronic tongue taste the stuff than me having to do it personally.

[phanbouy @ Aug 6th 2008 2:27AM]

i'd hate to see the live cat carcass version!

[phanbouy @ Aug 6th 2008 2:37AM]

(Schrödinger's wine?)

[Rufus White @ Aug 6th 2008 7:10AM]

@phanbouy:
is there wine in the box when it's closed? How do you know without opening it?