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> Traditionalists may be appalled by all this, but they should not be. In Mr Wimalaratne’s mind, the function of the Vinfusion system is in principle little dif

> Traditionalists may be appalled by all this, but they should not be. In Mr Wimalaratne’s mind, the function of the Vinfusion system is in principle little different from the blending of grape varieties that goes on in many vineyards, to produce wines more interesting than those based on a single variety. After spending a couple weeks in central coast and napa recently, tasting probably ~100 glasses, this kind of sounds insulting. Especially after seeing how much effort goes into cultivating the grapes, crafting these wines, and how they're stored and aged. I get it though and perhaps this will work for some bar/restaurant. Whatever happened to house red or house white for those who don't care or know?

Grishnakh 10y ago
Yep, it's insulting in just the same way it's insulting that people now program computers with high-level languages like C++, Java, Erlang, Python, Lua, etc., instead of using patch cables or punch cards. Or in the same way that people now just get on a jet airplane for $200-500 and fly across the country, instead of using a covered wagon and worrying about being attacked by natives. The "house red" isn't something that everyone likes. Would you go to a restaurant that only has one dish for dinner, with no choices at all? I wouldn't. Most people seem to like dry wines; personally I hate those. Ordering "house red" is likely to get me something I don't want to drink, so why would I do that? That's like going to an ice cream shop where there's no choices, and I get served some tapioca with nuts in it (i.e., ice cream I really hate).
- buckbova 10y ago
  > it's insulting in just the same way it's insulting that people now program computers with high-level languages like C++, Java, Erlang, Python, Lua, etc., instead of using patch cables or punch cards It's hardly the same thing. Someone still has to produce the wine and then it's blended by the machine. For a software comparison it's probably the difference between hand crafted software by a group of professionals and someone picking a wordpress template and adding plugins. > The "house red" isn't something that everyone likes. Would you go to a restaurant that only has one dish for dinner, with no choices at all? The "house red" is still a glass of wine from a bottle, just not chosen by the patron. There's still a wine list to choose from for the more picky customers. Restaurants also have something called the "special of the day" or "chef recommended" and that's basically what we're talking about here. You can go to the menu or take the "special."

Grishnakh 10y ago

Yep, it's insulting in just the same way it's insulting that people now program computers with high-level languages like C++, Java, Erlang, Python, Lua, etc., instead of using patch cables or punch cards. Or in the same way that people now just get on a jet airplane for $200-500 and fly across the country, instead of using a covered wagon and worrying about being attacked by natives. The "house red" isn't something that everyone likes. Would you go to a restaurant that only has one dish for dinner, with no choices at all? I wouldn't. Most people seem to like dry wines; personally I hate those. Ordering "house red" is likely to get me something I don't want to drink, so why would I do that? That's like going to an ice cream shop where there's no choices, and I get served some tapioca with nuts in it (i.e., ice cream I really hate).

buckbova 10y ago
> it's insulting in just the same way it's insulting that people now program computers with high-level languages like C++, Java, Erlang, Python, Lua, etc., instead of using patch cables or punch cards It's hardly the same thing. Someone still has to produce the wine and then it's blended by the machine. For a software comparison it's probably the difference between hand crafted software by a group of professionals and someone picking a wordpress template and adding plugins. > The "house red" isn't something that everyone likes. Would you go to a restaurant that only has one dish for dinner, with no choices at all? The "house red" is still a glass of wine from a bottle, just not chosen by the patron. There's still a wine list to choose from for the more picky customers. Restaurants also have something called the "special of the day" or "chef recommended" and that's basically what we're talking about here. You can go to the menu or take the "special."