what is the best website to find wine ratings?
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M$3 Answers
Many magazines that have give ratings are rumored to be influenced by full-page, repeat advertisers. Newsletters may now have or have had in the recent past only one taster...and perhaps with a narrow range of preferred tastes in wine and a particular sensitivity level to such things as level of fruit, tannin, acidity, etc....and these might not be the same as yours. (Books have been written on this topic).
And remember that when a person or group gets together and each tastes 50 -300 wines a day the wines that are judged winners and receive the coveted 90+ points are those that stand out from the crowd. They almost literally scream fruit, tannin, acid or whatever seems appropriate fro that varietal or blend from that place. This type of "loud" wine is often an unwelcome guest in your living room or at your party....and almost always is a complete mismatch with any food as it overpowers even those foods or dishes that under ordinary circumstances it should pair perfectly with.
High-ratings generally equal wines that are not food-friendly and may not be a pleasure to drink outside of a judging or competition envionment. having said that, any wine with a waiting oin the 80's is a decent wine. 86-88 is a good wiine and a much better value than anything 90 or above. In these hard economic times a more food-friendly 88 point wine makes better sense all around.
I suggest sites such as Wine.com, Snooth.com, K&L.com, Vinfolio.com, Beverages and More and the better bloggers (Burghound, Dr. Vino, Jancis Robinson, NatalieMaclean) as a way to familiarize yourself with good and excellent wines at all pricepoints. Natalie Maclean at NatDecants.com has a terrific food and wine matcher AND also recipes to go with your wines. I'm hoping to get her widget up on Mahalo in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know when I do.
With practice, you will do what many wine drinkers do: develop your own point system whether its a 20 point system such as Decanter Magazine's or a 100 point system such as Mr. Parker's.
Enjoy your wine adventure!
Your personal sommelier
Alex
Professional training and personal and professional experience
NatDecants.com; JancisRobinson,com; Dr.Vino.com, Snooth.com, Vinfolio.com, Wine.com; K&L.com; Burghound.com
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
-quote-
"At Wine.com, get the facts you need to make easy, informed decisions about buying wine for yourself and as a gift.
Here's how it works:
1. Find a bottle - search & sort the world's largest wine store by price, professional rating, varietal and country. Or go to one of our top rated or most popular lists for a quick pick.
2. Learn the complete story behind your wine – who made it, where, with which grapes and what the critics & other customers think. Impress your family & friends with a few pertinent facts about the wine while enjoying it.
3. Remember what you bought, why and what you thought of it, using our online virtual cellar and printed cellar notes & bottle tags.
And of course, we have the benefits you've become accustomed to in an online store – huge selection, convenient home shopping & delivery and great value."
-end of quote-
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
