Food Science

Vinome uses DNA to recommend wines

‘DNA-based wine experience’ uses genetic samples to recommend wines

A new wine service is replacing a sommelier with science.

Founded by genetic scientists and wine experts, Vinome — short for “vino + genome” — says it can recommend the right wine based on the drinker’s DNA. Customers take a taste preference survey and send in a saliva sample. The test uses 10 genetic markers related to smell and taste to classify customers as one of eight taste profiles. The company then uses a combination of the customer’s preference and DNA test results to recommend wines from its own online store, as well as offering a quarterly wine club.

"After years of analyzing DNA to develop medicines for cancer, we started thinking," said Sara Riordan, Vinome co-founder, "if there's a gene that tells you whether you like Brussels sprouts or not, and whether you like cilantro or not, why aren't we using genetics to tell people whether they would favor a certain wine?"

The company has partnered with wineries in California, Oregon and Washington to supply the wines.

For more information, visit Vinome.com.

KEYWORDS: alcoholic beverage food science and technology

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Casey Laughman is the former Editor in Chief of Food Engineering magazine. He has almost two decades’ experience as a writer and editor for mainstream and trade publications. He spent several years as a writer and editor for two news services before becoming the editor of a legal publication and managing editor of a trade magazine that covered the commercial facilities market.