China’s 1919.com allows app users to place orders for sommelier service

China’s leading online wine and spirits e-commerce company 1919.com has launched a personalised sommelier service for its mobile app users, allowing them to order sommelier service at the push of a button during banquets or dinner toasts.

The newly launched sommelier service allows mobile app users to place orders for sommelier service and then be offered professional wine and food recommendations in person by a professional sommelier, according to the company.

The sommelier service can even take customization a step further by providing the complete dining experience from restaurant booking, menu selection, to food and wine pairing, reported Chinese media.

This is the latest development from the Sichuan-based company to promote its one-stop, offline and online wine and spirits shopping experience, following its pledge to guarantee delivery within 19 minutes in some pilot cities in China.

Similarly, China’s e-commerce giant, JD.com launched a Downton Abbey-like, white-gloved delivery service to high-end wine purchases on its website last year in a few cities within China.

The new sommelier service is, however, currently limited its home base, Chengdu, capital city of southwestern Sichuan province.

According to the company, based on data collected from its users’ purchase behaviour and subsequent analysis, it noticed that most of the delivery addresses for orders are on premise at restaurants and bars, promoting them to devise the sommelier service.

Sichuan 1919 Wines & Spirits Scm. Co. has become China’s biggest and fastest growing online to offine wine and spirits platform with a strong online presence supported by an extensive network of offline shops across China.

Unlike other companies that target eastern and coastal regions in China, the company’s growth leverages on the emerging and fast growing cities in southern, western and central parts of China before tapping into more established eastern and coastal regions.

It claims to have a network of 1,500 offline shops across 500 cities in mainland China.