microwavable nano wine by next nature

'nano wine', part of the 'nano supermarket' by next nature


'nano wine', created by koert van mensvoort, hendrik-jan grievink, and ruben daas for amsterdam-based design studio next nature,
uses the principles of nano encapsulation to produce a wine whose taste can be modified by the activation of different
flavour particles via microwave. the product is part of the studio's 'nano supermarket', a storefront of speculative nanotech
products capable of being mass produced within the next ten years. designed as much for experimentation and provocation
as for quotidian convenience or food design, the pieces stretch the bounds of our conception of 'natural' or 'ordinary'.

with 'nano wine', in order to achieve different varietals, users activate their selection of the millions of molecule-sized flavour capsules
in the drink, which is by default a kind of merlot. tastes may range from vanilla-- to mimic the taste of australian wines-- and truffle
to oak and pepper (to recreate a syrah, for example). the particles are activated by different wattages and duration of exposure to microwave,
so by microwaving the wine accordingly, users can completely alter and tweak its taste. inactivated nano-capsules are drunk
with no adverse affects, while the opened capsules alter the taste, smell, and even colour of the wine.



chart of the different capsule flavours with respective microwave times, with the associated wine marked in the center



bottles of 'nano wine' on exhibition in eindhoven
image © designboom


next nature elaborates on the philosophical impetus behind the 'nano supermarket':
'nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that deals with the manipulation of structures on an atomic and molecular scale:
ñ, the size of one billionth of a meter. it is often seen as a trend in material science, but has much deeper implications:
nanotechnology radically intervenes with our notion of what is natural. it may realize the dreams people have of themselves
and significantly improve our lives, but may also have its downsides.'



introduction to the 'nano supermarket', including 'nano wine'