Wine Spectator Unveils Free VintageChart+ App for Smartphones

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The VintageChart+ Web App looks and feels like software native to each device.

New version, with 54 charts, works with Android, BlackBerry and more

Posted: April 20, 2011

Last summer, Wine Spectator released VintageChart+ on the iPhone, which became one of the most downloaded wine apps from the App Store. Now, other smartphone owners can have the same authoritative information on vintage quality at their fingertips.

Wine Spectator has introduced a mobile Web App version of VintageChart+ that’s compatible with most smartphones—whether they're powered by Android or feature a BlackBerry keyboard. And it's still free.

The VintageChart+ Web App looks and feels like software native to each device. On most phone models, it can be used offline, so wine lovers can browse Wine Spectator’s trusted vintage charts in places without a signal. VintageChart+ also automatically adapts its display to suit slightly older phone models.

Photograph of VintageChart+ Web App on a Droid phone.

Compare the quality of different years in the major wine regions.

VintageChart+ features 54 automatically updated vintage charts for major wine regions and grape varieties of the world. Wine Spectator editors analyze vintage quality after extensive tastings of wines, providing scores, recommendations on when to drink the wines and descriptions of the vintages' impact on the wines’ character.

The app gives consumers a simple and effective way to compare the relative quality of wine types from different regions and years, so that they can make smarter decisions when faced with unfamiliar bottles. When trying to pick a Napa Valley Cabernet off a restaurant wine list, for example, it can make a world of difference to know that 2004 was a consistently excellent year, while 2003 was weaker and uneven.

To better showcase VintageChart+, Wine Spectator has also upgraded the design for its entire mobile website, which includes the Wine Ratings Search, Top 100 Archives and the Personal Wine List shopping list and cellar management tools.

Experience VintageChart+ and the new Wine Spectator Mobile site by opening your smartphone browser and visiting http://m.winespectator.com .

Member comments 12 comment(s)

John O Reinhardt — Portland, OR USA — April 20, 2011 5:56pm ET

A really helpful tool would be to combine UPC barcode reader with your wine ratings. I have a barcode reader app on my Droid phone, and if I could pair that with my Wine Spectator web app so all I had to do was take a reading of the barcode to get your wine review that would be really useful and valuable.

Brad Kanipe — GA — April 21, 2011 9:15am ET

Looking at the BB version. Do I still have to access it via a web browser? How is this different from a simple URL link?

Dana Nigro — New York, NY — April 21, 2011 3:12pm ET

Johm,

Thanks for the suggestion. We'll have more mobile and app products down the line.

Brad,

Our developers answered: If you're on the new BlackBerry torch, you can bookmark the Vintage Chart website and view it even when not online. If you're on another BlackBerry, then it's a simple mobile optimized website and can't be viewed offline.

Dana Nigro, managing editor, WineSpectator.com

Terence Hughes — New Yok, NY, USA — April 23, 2011 10:59am ET

I looked for it on the Android app store and came up with zip.

Christopher Dunn — Hawaii — April 23, 2011 9:17pm ET

It's nice to see WS doing something for us Droid users!! However, I don't see this as a "true" app. It is more of a weblink than an app. So, I don't understand how it can be used offline. And once you're in the VC+ site, you can't go back to the main WS page without opening a new window.

Dana Nigro — New York, NY — April 25, 2011 12:50pm ET

Terence,

Go to http://m.winespectator.com. to access the web app.

Christopher,
What model are you on? For some phones, you can bookmark the app and access it offline; it opens separately from the WS Mobile site.

For others, it does function more as a simple mobile website. We're looking at the "back" to WS issue -- it doesn't work because there's an interstitial that is detecting what model phone you're on and then directing you to a correctly optimized version.

Dana Nigro, managing editor, WineSpectator.com

Steve Order — Massachusetts — April 30, 2011 9:26am ET

Now that NOOKcolor has apps with Software V1.2 will we see this app available for NOOKcolor soon?

Richard Loftin — Indianapolis, IN USA — May 1, 2011 6:55pm ET

Will there be an iPad version of VintageChart+ released soon?

Dana Nigro — New York, NY — May 2, 2011 5:21pm ET

Hi Richard,

Have you tried it on the iPad and encountered problems?

The VintageChart+ web app works on the iPad2. I believe it may work on the original iPad -- as long as you've upgraded to the latest operating system -- but I'll have to confirm that for you tomorrow. It works as a mobile site, requiring a Wi-Fi connection, on the original iPad, if you're on an older OS.

Dana Nigro, managing editor, WineSpectator.com

Johnny Berg — Norway — July 28, 2011 10:37am ET

Hi
Do I have to download iTunes do get your App?

Tj Mills — Santa Rosa, CA — January 18, 2012 8:25pm ET

The web app is ok but often wineries and other locations don't have data access to get to the web. When will an app be available for Android phones?

Frank Mazza — Jacksonville, FL — January 31, 2012 11:31am ET

my iPhone app does not seem to update as the printed version just obtained from the WS mag has more recent vintages; i was under the impression that the app would update automatically.

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