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experiences. While nothing will replace the the soul, personality and individuality... the
personal and direct relationship and shared poetry... out of the wine business. The wine
experience, it is clear that people have been, business will always be about connecting, sha-
and will continue, to form relationships and ring and storytelling with families and friends.
share experiences across the internet and Wine and gastronomy will always go hand
through social media channels. Wine is sto- in hand together. The customer is becoming
rytelling and stories are being told every day more interested in authenticity, purety, and
on the internet. So, it is absolutely essential honesty. They are focused on wellbeing and
that the wine industry find its place in the di- health. They want to know where their food
gital world. In addition to this, we are seeing and wine come from, who produced it, and
around the world consumers becoming open why it is special. They want to have an ex-

to purchasing wine through digitial channels. perience that has value and meaning. And,
The direct on-line channels afford convenien- when they do have that experience... they
ce and customability – two key factors for con- will remember it for a lifetime and come back
sumers. On-line business in the wine world for more. I am less interested in packaging,
has been relatively slow to develop because myself. But, there is no question that in this
many wine consumers prefer to purchase on time of change and evolution packaging can
the personal advice of a trusted retailer or fri- evolve away from traditional bottles and pre-
end. But the flood gates are breaking, tech- sentations to something that reflects more
nology is surging, and the future will present modern directions and styles. Factory packed
many on-line vehicles to purchase wine direct- one or two portions... do not resonate with me
ly and to have it delivered to your home. All of in providing authentic products to be shared.
that said, the on-line business must not take I think that’s why the alumumin single-serving
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