Why an AI Sommelier works
I spent over 20 years in the wine retail business. Here’s what I learned.
Most people choose a wine based on their budget. They come into your store or visit your website with a predetermined budget.
After price, the second most important consideration in making their choice is usually the label on the bottle. That’s it.
Now, when you have a store with good staff, it’s easy to give personalised advise to help customers choose, whether they want a wine for a party or a gift, or to impress their friends with something special or unusual with our AI Sommelier.
Disappointed Customers = Missed Sales Opportunities
But think about it: online, customers receive none of this support. Most websites are little more than lists of wines with pictures and prices. Customers can narrow down the selection by price, but that’s it.
They have no confidence in their purchase, no opportunity for informed experimentation, and no reason to return to your website over all the others out there.
What Customers Want
The reality is customers want good answers to questions like:
“What wine pairs well with steak?”
“What’s a good €40 gift for a whisky lover?”
“Do you stock any non-alcoholic rosé under €15?”
And most of the time… no one answers. Chatbots try, but they’re rarely helpful – because they’re built to deflect, not assist.
Most chatbots are simply glorified FAQ pages. They can’t recommend a bottle, they can’t tailor suggestions or help with any questions related to choosing a product.
In retail – especially wine, spirits and gifting – customers want expertise, not canned responses. And they want it in real time.
An Expert AI Sommelier Trained on Your Inventory
I’ve found the solution in AI. At Pinpointed, we’re building something different: an AI Sommelier that behaves and advises like an expert sommelier or gifting advisor. We even have voice options in multiple languages.
The digital sommelier is deeply knowledgeable about your live inventory because it’s trained on it.
It works 24/7, making tailored recommendations based on your user’s budget, pairing requirements and preferences.
It is consistently patient, polite and informed, and customer satisfaction is its only priority.
It’s like an expert member of your team, who can communicate in 16 languages and is always available, freeing up employees from time-consuming questions to do other things.
Actionable Data
Pinpointed can also collect valuable data for business owners to act on. We can tell you:
- How much your customers want to pay
- Which products they are looking for that you don’t stock
- How many visitors are looking for gifts, and what price and type
- Which specific products are most popular
You can use this information when choosing new products, deciding on gift selections and managing your inventory optimally based on informed customer preference information.
AI powered digital Sommelier
Let’s talk. If you’re a retailer who understands this opportunity, please get in touch. I’d love to show you how the AI Assistant works and how it can eat into your competitors’ business.