Wine in Virtual Reality (Witality)

"Witality - Wine in Virtual Reality" represents a joint project of science and practice. The institutions involved in the project, Geisenheim University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Oenology (HGU), Bonn-Rhein Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Visual Computing (H-BRS), Pieroth Wein AG (PR) and DLG TestService GmbH (DLG), enable a close exchange between science and practice on the use of virtual reality (VR) for the sensory analysis of wine.

Through the Bonn-Rhein Sieg University of Applied Sciences, VR software is being developed that enables the simulation of typical tasting situations such as a bar or wine shop. Using data glasses, tasting participants can immerse themselves in virtual reality.

At the beginning of the project, Geisenheim University will determine how auditory, olfactory and acoustic stimuli under VR influence the sensory evaluation of wine. The simulated situations will be analyzed in comparison to the neutral evaluation within a standardized sensory laboratory. In a subsequent step, it will be tested how the sensory evaluation of samples changes under different conditions (e.g. neutral, standardized sensory laboratory, wine shop vs. wine shop under VR simulation).

The practical suitability of the data glasses and software will be tested by Pieroth Wein AG and DLG Testservice GmbH.

At the end of the project, a tool will be made available to the players in the wine industry that can be used within many practice-relevant sensory issues and thus serves to open up new market segments and customer groups.