Wine of Moldova Launches World’s First Serious AI Wine at ProWein 2024

Düsseldorf, March 13th 2024: Nearly 1,000 wine professionals from across the world had their first experience of a red and white wine made under the guidance of an Artificial Intelligence Bot called Chelaris.

The product of an extensive collaboration between Moldovan winemakers, tech professionals and marketers, the two wines were presented for the first time at the Wine of Moldova stand.

The unveiling took place at a masterclass led by consultant and author Robert Joseph on Sunday, March 10th, where attendees were given a potential glimpse into the future of oenology – the fusion of human and artificial intelligence. In a seminal moment for the industry, two cuvées (one red and one white) were also presented to a global audience at the Wine of Moldova stand, with participants invited to cast a vote after comparing the AI wines to their man-made equivalents. The majority – 65% - of the audience were surprised to learn that the white wine, a blend of Feteasca Alb, Feteasca Regala and Viorica had been made and blended under instruction from the bot.

Most were equally impressed by Chelaris’s Feteasca Neagra red, though a preference emerged for the Festeasca Neagra – Rara Neagra blend created by the project technical leader Don Elizaveta Beanha. 

The two AI wines were also packaged using AI-generated labels that intrigued many of the visitors. “Moldova proves it has not only terroir and traditions but also a vibrant wine sector that embraces innovative technologies. Moldova is becoming a leading wine nation,” said Robert Joseph.

This innovative project was spearheaded in collaboration with the National Office of Vine and Wine (ONVV), using sophisticated algorithms to support human decisions when planning – and executing - every aspect of the production process: harvesting, vinification, blending, labelling, and communication. It represents a bold new vision for winemaking in the 21^st century; a synergy of human intuition and AI-enabled precision. The future of Moldovan wine will partially depend on this growing partnership between the viticultural and technological sectors, as mutually beneficial collaboration unlocks new opportunities for future development.

Diana Lazăr, AI Wine project lead, commented: “Additional content for this project, including the marketing materials, were generated with the support and guidance of AI tools.” Another key element of the project was the creation of Chelaris, an AI meta human winemaker used to personify the technology behind the groundbreaking artificial intelligence. However, most of the people at the masterclass and those tasting at the stand prefer human-made wine, so basically this underscores that AI cannot replace human expertise in this field yet.

Stefan Iamandi, Director of the National Vine and Wine Office outlined that Wine of Moldova continues to steer an ambitious plan of sustainable development, with key stakeholders planning to invest in new vineyards, increased capacity, and technological innovation over the next few years. Today the wine industry plays a significant role in the Moldovan economy, contributing around 3% of GDP and 8% of total exports, to the livelihood of over 50,000 families in the rural areas.

ProWein 2024 saw visitors from across the world enjoy a diverse cross-section of Moldovan grape varieties and wine styles, opened by 51 wineries. The participants included larger producers and some smaller, artisan brands.  This beautiful nation, situated at the heart of eastern Europe, has gained much recognition for its thrilling wines and fantastic terroirs. 

To date, Moldovan wines have won over 6,000 international awards from a variety of publications and respected organisations. Yet as Moldova's groundbreaking AI project continues to electrify the global wine community, that number can only increase.

Media Contact:

Parascovia Ignat

Head of Marketing and Markets Development Department, Wine of Moldova

Phone: +373 604 27 277

Email: pignat@wineofmoldova.com

Website: www.wineofmoldova.com   

Address: 59 Sfatul Tarii, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

About Wine of Moldova:

Wine of Moldova is the national brand of Moldovan wines, representing a diverse range of wine styles and producers. With a rich history and unique terroir, Moldovan wines have gained international recognition for their quality and taste. Wine of Moldova is committed to promoting sustainable and responsible winemaking practices. For more information, visit www.wineofmoldova.com