Australia has burst onto the artificial intelligence (AI) assisted wine market, with CTZN launching its flagship range of AI-curated, human-crafted wines. A collaboration between AI engineers and winemakers, CTZN is aiming to redefine the boundaries of tradition and innovation.
A report from IWSR last month looked at the impact of AI on the beverage industry, particularly in new product development for alcohol. Following on from French AI wine pioneers Aubert & Mathieu, Australian Vintage's new brand CTZN has launched two wines – curated by AI algorithms, including in selection of grape varietals, and made by human winemakers.
Quantum Quintessence is described as a bold blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, and Ethereal Pulse is a delicate Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Tempranillo combination.
Australian Vintage chief marketing officer, Tom Dusseldorp, said that CTZN was created to push the boundaries of how AI can influence the world, moving beyond usage in just design, advertising, or packaging.
“We asked the question – what if AI influenced everything? When you scan a CTZN bottle you’re immediately immersed in an augmented reality experience that’s as future-forward as the wines,” he said.
“Dreamed up by a collaboration of vintners and AI engineers, SOM, our digital sommelier, is designed to encapsulate the knowledge of a wine expert, with the accessibility of a digital assistant, to push the boundaries of wine-drinking experiences.”
Australian Vintage partnered with digital production company, MIK, to create CTZN. The studio particularly focused on the creation of SOM, the AI sommelier that provides an informative experience with customers wines.
Mik Studio’s creative director, Tom Cotton, described SOM as a seamless merging of time-honoured wine varieties, with technological evolution and interactive storytelling.
“SOM's persona was meticulously crafted using generative AI and refined by Web 3.0 experts crafting detailed prompts, moving and interacting with users fluidly in Augmented Reality,” he said.
“Transporting you out of the digital realm and immersing you into the CTZN world, SOM is ready to expertly guide your wine-tasting like never before using your smartphone as a guide.”
The flagship CTZN range is available from Dan Murphy’s for RRP $26. Scanning the bottle will allow customers to access SOM, the AI sommelier.
