WineSimple Introduces Ground-Breaking New App to Benefit Wine Retailers and Consumers

SAN FRANCISCO, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco-based WineSimple (www.winesimple.com) announced the launch of its mobile app that uses a proprietary matching algorithm to recommend specific bottles of wine to consumers based on their individual taste preferences. By offering personalized recommendations, WineSimple takes the complexity and jargon out of wine giving retailers a more effective way to market wine and consumers the confidence to try new wines.

The WineSimple app initially identifies a consumer's taste preferences using the WineSimple Taste Quiz™ and then suggests those wines specifically matched to those preferences. When a consumer rates wines, WineSimple's matching algorithm learns more about that consumer's likes and dislikes and fine tunes the recommendations for that individual in real time.

Recommendations work best if the product is available where the consumer is shopping. Therefore, WineSimple uses geolocation services to identify when a consumer is at a participating retailer's store and recommends wines that are both matched to the consumer and available at that location.

WineSimple also offers a better way to buy wine as a gift. Instead of picking a wine for a friend based on price, a WineSimple user can view a list of recommended wines for his/her friend who uses the app. In addition, whenever a consumer views his/her list of recommended wines, the app indicates whether a specific wine is also a match for his/her friend.

"Lots of products tout being the Pandora of this or that," said Will Glaser, advisor to WineSimple and co-founder of Pandora™.  "I've looked at WineSimple's approach in detail and it's extremely well thought out and effective. I'm totally comfortable with their claim that WineSimple is Pandora for wine."

The WineSimple app offers wine retailers a better way to help the 80 million consumers who purchase wine each year. Many of those consumers are overwhelmed or confused by the number of wine choices and are looking for help in narrowing the options to those wines they will enjoy and are available where they are shopping.

Retailers who work with WineSimple offer a unique shopping experience by ensuring that a consumer will see recommendations based on their inventory. Participating retailers also have the ability to display their branding and present special offers whenever a consumer associates the app with a specific store location.

"Helping a customer select a product they will enjoy is the key to repeat business and more sales," said Richard Marcus, former CEO of Neiman Marcus and WineSimple Board Member. "Given the number of wine choices, WineSimple's singular focus on personalized recommendations that are available at the point of purchase will create a better consumer experience, happier customers, and more sales."

Robert Miller, CEO of WineSimple said, "At no cost to retailers, we help them grow their wine revenue because consumers are more likely to try a new wine, buy more wine, or take home a slightly more expensive bottle if they have confidence that they will like the wine. On the consumer side, the app never recommends a wine unless the matching algorithm indicates the consumer will love it."

"Andronico's believes that customers who tend to buy the same one or two bottles each time they shop will appreciate the fact that they can find new wines that are matched to their taste preferences," said Otto Han, Director of Wine, Beer, & Liquor at Andronico's Community Markets. "We understand that some customers might feel overwhelmed by the variety of wines we offer, and while we have wine stewards in each of our stores who are there to help, WineSimple is a great option for those who want to explore our wine selection on their own."

WineSimple is free to consumers in the Apple iTunes™ store beginning today.

www.winesimple.com

SOURCE WineSimple