This presentation discusses how machine learning can be used to suggest alternative wines to customers based on wine descriptions. Vector representations of wine descriptions are created and clustered using machine learning techniques. Specific examples are provided of white and red wine recommendations generated by comparing vector representations of wines. The system allows customers to explore wine clusters and receives recommendations for alternative wines based on descriptions of wines they input.

1. MINE
THE
WINE
Sorry Beer Lovers ;-P
Data Beers - Tuscany, Florence 20-Oct-2016 #DataBeersTUS
Andrea Gigli
@andrgig www.slideshare.net/andrgig

2. Where it started
This talk is the result of a collaboration with a
on-line wine seller company
The company and its partners have a problem:
“Famous wines are sold fast... We
need a system to suggest some
alternatives!!!”

3. Where I started

4. Where I started

5. Why Not Suggesting
Wines having similar
Price?

6. Not really effective…

7. Why Not Suggesting
Wines having similar
Location?

8. Somehow better…

9. … still not effective…

10. Why Not Suggesting
Wines having same
Location and Grape
Variety?

11. We are improving…

12. But nowadays customers
pretend more than that!!!

13. Why Not Suggesting Wines
having Similar Critic or
Description?

14. That sounds…Excellent

15. Can Machine Learning
help me?

16. YES,
Machine
Learning Can!

17. Vector representation of Wine
Descriptions
Deep red and violet in color, with powerful
aromas of ripe red fruits, strawberries and
cherries, with hints of coffee and chocolate
from the oak [...]
A golden color, distinctive of black grape
varieties [...] ripe fruit and spicy aromas, with
hints of roasted apples, apple compote and
peaches
Nose of white flowers, white fruits(peach). In
mouth, very fresh and balanced, with citrus
aromas(lemon), white fruits and a great
minerality.
-0.01 -0.10 0.04 ... 0.21
......
0.014 -0.037 0.0211 ... -0.046
0.018 0.14 -0.09 ... -0.073
Wine Critics or
Descriptions
Vector Representation
in N dimensions

18. From this…

19. … to that!

20. Let me show you a
specific case…

21. Riesling Grape Variety Similarities
Worldwide

22. … and in Europe

23. Visualize that differently…

24. Vector representation of Wine
Descriptions
White Wines Red Wines

25. Vector representation of Wine
Descriptions
White Wines

26. Vector representation of Wine
Descriptions
White Wines

27. Exploring clusters
Pinot Gris

28. Exploring clusters

29. Exploring clusters
Godello

30. Exploring clusters

31. Wow, is that
magic?

32. It’s Machine
Learning,
baby!

33. Any wine to suggest me?

34. White Wine Recommendation
Example
[...] Juicy peaches, pineapple and citrus [...]
vanilla and toasty oak. [...] pear and apple,
silky palate. Soft spice [...] ripe fruit, alluring
cream and sweet butter, [...] Medium straw,
yellow color [...] some dried peach and ripe
apples [...] medium bodied […]

35. White Wine Recommendation
Example
[...] sun ripened pears and wet granite
[...]. Medium straw yellow in color [...]
medium bodied [...] ripe melon and core
fruit flavors, a note of earth too;
[...] Medium straw in colour, [...] soft
peach, pineapple and citrus aromas.
[...] Ripe peach, rockmelon and pear are
supported by well-integrated butter and
oak nuances.
[...] Juicy peaches, pineapple and citrus [...]
vanilla and toasty oak. [...] pear and apple,
silky palate. Soft spice [...] ripe fruit, alluring
cream and sweet butter, [...] Medium straw,
yellow color [...] some dried peach and ripe
apples [...] medium bodied […]

36. Red Wine Recommendation
Example
Fresh dark fruit aromas [...] blackberry and
black cherry [...] refined and age-worthy
wine [...]
[...] black currants, blueberries, dark
chocolate, fresh herbs and forest floor. Hints
of mint too, plus hazelnut and chocolate.
Tight and compacted tannins with beautiful
fruit and great length [...]
[...] flavors of blackberry and blueberry
along with toasty sweet oak. The intensity of
the dark fruit flavors both velvety and
complex, showcasing nuances of chocolate
[...] black fruit, flowers, mint, licorice and tar
[...] sweet blackberries and cherries, with a
tremendous oak coat, and the tannin-acid
structure is of the highest order.
[...] loads of plum, flowers and herbs on
the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy
tannins and a long, long finish.
Crazy nose of dried flowers and then
dark fruits. […] velvety tannins and
intense blueberries and dark chocolate.
Long and powerful.

37. Red Wine Recommendation
Example
280$ 90$ 80$
Fresh dark fruit aromas [...] blackberry and
black cherry [...] refined and age-worthy
wine [...]
[...] black currants, blueberries, dark
chocolate, fresh herbs and forest floor. Hints
of mint too, plus hazelnut and chocolate.
Tight and compacted tannins with beautiful
fruit and great length [...]
[...] flavors of blackberry and blueberry
along with toasty sweet oak. The intensity of
the dark fruit flavors both velvety and
complex, showcasing nuances of chocolate
[...] black fruit, flowers, mint, licorice and tar
[...] sweet blackberries and cherries, with a
tremendous oak coat, and the tannin-acid
structure is of the highest order.
[...] loads of plum, flowers and herbs on
the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy
tannins and a long, long finish.
Crazy nose of dried flowers and then
dark fruits. […] velvety tannins and
intense blueberries and dark chocolate.
Long and powerful.

38. Red Wine Recommendation
Example
Dark ruby red, with intense fruit aromas
especially cherries. Dry, full-bodied, warm
wine and youthful.
[...] firm and fruity red with plum jam and
berry undertones [...] Luscious and opulent.
Juicy and fun.
90$ 15$
Fresh dark fruit aromas [...] blackberry and
black cherry [...] refined and age-worthy
wine [...]
[...] black currants, blueberries, dark
chocolate, fresh herbs and forest floor. Hints
of mint too, plus hazelnut and chocolate.
Tight and compacted tannins with beautiful
fruit and great length [...]
280$ …

39. Hey customer…Does it
sound good?

40. Ooooh Yeaaahhh

41. CHEERS
!
Questions?
Data Beers - Tuscany, Florence 20-Oct-2016 #DataBeersTUS
Andrea Gigli
@andrgig www.slideshare.net/andrgig