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For the average wine consumer, wine ratings, especially those based on the sacred 100 point scale, are confusing at best, and potentially deceiving at worst.  How does one quantify that which cannot be, and should not be? Afterall, is a 90 point rated $12 Malbec from Argentina equal to a 90 point Napa Chardonnay that costs $50? I don’t doubt the knowledge, experience, or motivations of the experts who do these ratings, and I know the wine rating publications take their responsibility very seriously. There are blind tastings, taster-calibration tests, and other “standards” to which all are held. But, ultimately, they are merely peoples’ opinions dressed up to appear objective, authoritative, and well– useful.

Unfortunately, ratings have a dark side, too. Not only do they hold too much power as an influence upon what the average wine consumer purchases, but they also have a psychological effect upon wine drinkers’ perceptions of wine. More often than not, at your typical wine store tasting, customers will claim to prefer the higher rated wines when they are known, to the lower rated wines. Of course, when the ratings are unknown to the tasters, the results are always a mixed bag. The most terrifying by-product of the 100 point system, however, are the “great wine hunters” who roam wine shops and web sites searching for the elusive 96+’s to buy, so they can impress their friends and somehow attempt to fulfill their need to “quantify” themselves.

The biggest problem with most of the numeric point scale ratings, in my opinion, is that they don’t and can’t “solve for” each of the various factors that go into the average wine buyer’s decision process: mainly price, style and drinkability. What we end up with is the classic “apples to oranges” situation, leaving the wine buyer confused, and strangely craving a nice piece of fruit.  

When I assess wine, especially for the purposes of this blog, I use what I call the “for what it is” method. That is the framework for one simple question: “for what it is (eg. a $12 Malbec from Argentina, or ) would I recommend this wine?”  My answer is always one the following: Nope; Maybe; Yep; and Hell Yes!  Of course, for me to recommend a wine, I need to enjoy the wine, feel it’s a good value, and believe the wine represents “what it is” well.  Ultimately, it’s still just one guy’s opinion, but I won’t try to “dress up” what I think . . . that suit never fit me anyway.

GRANT HENRY