What Does an 85 Taste Like Compared to an 82? Who Knows? Who Cares? The answer to this all-mighty wine question varies widely, depending on whom you ask. Realistically, I don't think anyone actually knows, but these ratings and scores have proven to be a powerful marketing tool for the wine industry and they want you to believe there is a difference between an 85 and an 82, a 93 and an 88, and so on and so-forth. The most important thing to remember with these scores and ratings is that they are usually the opinion of the one person that sampled the wine and wrote the review. Just because Robert Parker, Jr. thinks a wine is a 93 (on a 100-point scale) and Tim Fish thinks a wine is 4 stars (on a 5 star scale), it doesn't mean that you'll agree or even like the wine. The most important thing to remember about scores and ratings is to use them as a tool, not the tool, to help you in your purchasing decisions. If you are going to base your purchases on ratings and scoring systems, make sure you choose one that is clearly defined so you know what each symbol means or where a particular score falls on the scale. For example, Wine Spectator clearly spells out their 100-point scale in the Buying Guide section of each issue:
In addition, they also define categories such as "Spectator Selection", "Cellar Selection", "Best Buys" and "Highly Recommended" that they choose for the best wines that are reviewed in each issue. If you understand what each score and what each category means, this may be a system you can use to help you when it comes time to buy your next bottle. On the other hand, if you walk into the store and see a sign saying "thumbs up" or "4 STARS", you may be entering dangerous territory, unless you are familiar with the source that did the review and understand their lingo and symbols. If you've decided on a source of information to assist you when trying to choose amongst the several hundred or even thousands of bottles staring back at you, you should be aware of some pitfalls. Sometimes the little signs taped to the shelf do not accurately represent the wine standing just behind it. Usually it is just the wrong vintage (the '97 instead of the '98, etc.), but it can make a difference. How do the signs get put in the wrong places? I'm not really sure - it may be an honest mistake, or it may not be. Don't believe me? See for yourself - next time you're out browsing, take a quick peek to see if the shelf talker is displayed and compare the sign to the actual wine on the shelf - you may be surprised with what you find (or don't find!). Is there a big difference between different vintages? Maybe, maybe not, but they are from different and that can influence the character of the wine. There is a ton of wine at all price levels to choose from in the marketplace these days, and the more you know about the wine you like before you get to the store, the better off you'll be. Ultimately, you should buy wine only based on your personal tastes and preferences. However, that can be quite difficult due to the large selections and confusing labels. Throw in competing reviews and scores taped to the shelves and now you've turned a leisurely trip to the wine shop into a stressful and sometimes painful shopping experience. Pick a system you like and trust, ask a few questions at the store, and more often than not, you'll end up with a bottle or two you'll like just fine - have fun and good luck! TASTING NOTES - hey, give me a break - I'm not Robert Parker, Jr.! 1998 Quady Orange Muscat California Electra, Madera, Calif. - 88pts, Best Buy - Wine Spectator Golden yellow with an "orangey" tint, oranges/tropical fruits on the nose, spritzy, carbonated feel on the palate, very smooth but a little on the sweet side. Only 4% alcohol by volume! Reminded me of a Sunkist Orange Soda - not something I'd expect from a glass of wine. If you like sweet and different, this may find a place in your picnic basket, but not mine. 1997 Black Opal Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia - 80pts - Wine Spectator Cabernet for "rookies." Purple in color, sweet, ripe red fruit on nose, smooth and balanced on palate, just enough tannin to keep it going. Finishes a bit sweet for a cabernet, but very tasty and easy to drink. Yummy! A great deal in the $7-$10 price range. There you have it - if I judged wines just by their ratings, I probably never would have tried the previously mentioned cab from Down Under. I loved it, and it was cheap! Based solely on the wine's review, I expected great things (at least good things) from the Quady but was disappointed, and it was a little pricey (about $13) to boot. That was one of the first times Wine Spectator has let me down with one of their "Best Buys", but it happens. There is too much wine and not enough money in my pocket to try 'em all, so I do the best I can and make educated guesses based on their ratings, my tastes and most importantly - my budget. If all else fails and you don't care about ratings, scores, stars, etc., just ask the friendly staff at your favorite store. They can usually point you in the right direction based on your personal tastes and their experience with the items on their shelves. That's it - thanks for the visit. I hope you enjoyed your trip into the cellar. Feel free to write me at cellarbrat1@yahoo.com with your comments, questions and suggestions! Everyone gets a reply and all feedback is welcome and appreciated! Until next time ... Gunerman writes "The Brat In The Cellar" twice per month for the Rochester, NY chapter of Wine Brats, found at www.ggw.org/winebrats/. Wine Brats is a national non-profit organization based in California. They are an active group of adult wine enthusiasts who are mostly young in age but absolutely young at heart. Wine Brats enjoy sharing their passion for wine with their peers and take pride in breaking down the cultural walls that for too long have mystified this beautiful beverage. Ultimately, as a non-profit organization, the Brats' purpose is to attract a whole new generation of adults to the wonders of life with wine. For more information, visit the national site at www.winebrats.org/. Nov. 15, 2000
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