This app brings new meaning to the term "drunk dialing." Launched at this month's Boston Wine Expo, the locally developed Drync Direct lets oenophiles stock up on new vintages with their iPhones, whenever and wherever they discover them.
"Even if you manage to remember the name of a wine, finding it at your local retailer can be a challenge," says Drync CEO Brad Rosen. "Drync Direct gives you the power to buy them anytime."
Scan a bottle's label, and the app will show you pricing and ratings, as well as a place to make tasting notes on your new find and record where you first sipped it. If you decide the wine is a must-have, put it in your cart and buy a bottle (or six for free shipping to your door).
There are currently more than 15,000 wines available in the app's on-sale database. If your choice is a little obscure, the image is sent to a Drync employee who'll try to identify it. If it's not purchasable now, the curation team will let you know when the wine becomes available.
You can also browse wine lists from local restaurants. "We're currently experimenting with several fantastic Boston restaurants. If Drync users love having restaurant wine lists in the app, we'll expand our coverage," Rosen explains.
But the convenience factor might be the biggest selling point for the MassChallenge-winning Cambridge company.
"The Internet has democratized so many things — music, movies, consumer goods. People have incredible choices at their fingertips. They experience products in the 'real world,' and buy online," Rosen says. "We aim to democratize wine."
WHAT HE'S DRINKING
"I HAVE BEEN WORKING MY WAY THROUGH BORDEAUX, LEARNING THAT I PREFER RIGHT BANK, MERLOT-CENTRIC SELECTIONS (IN SPITE OF THE MOVIE SIDEWAYS)," ROSEN SAYS.
HIS FAVE FIND (SO FAR)
"ASCHERI BARBERA D'ALBA — A GORGEOUS, ELEGANT RED WINE WITH A GOOD AMOUNT OF COMPLEXITY."
