Why Do We Score Wine?

The modern-day wine scoring system, popularized by Robert Parker Jr., serves a dual purpose in the world of wine.

It provides a straightforward and uniform method for consumers to compare and evaluate different wines based on a 100-point scoring system similar to that used in grade school. This is especially helpful to those new to the world of wine and unfamiliar with the complexities of grape varieties, winemaking techniques, and other factors that can influence a wine's flavor, quality, and price.

High scores can provide wineries with a significant advantage, as they can enhance a producer's reputation and increase demand for their wines, thereby serving as a powerful measure of prestige.

The intent is to provide a common language and a framework for assessing the quality of wines allowing us to make informed purchasing decisions.

Pros And Cons of The Traditional Scoring System(s)

The traditional scoring system for wine has both its supporters and critics in the wine industry. Supporters of the system argue that it provides an objective, standardized measure of quality that allows consumers to make informed decisions about which wines to purchase. The scores are based on predetermined criteria and are generally consistent across different reviewers and publications, making it easy for consumers to compare other wines.

On the other hand, critics of the system argue that wine is a complex and subjective product that cannot be reduced to a simple numerical score. They argue that wine is more than just a sum of its parts and that each bottle's unique character and story should be considered. In addition, they point out that the scoring system is often influenced by the reviewer's personal preferences, biases, and experience, which may not directly relate to the average consumer.