| As with any rating system, there is no such thing | | | | It's important for an impartial wine rating system |
| as a universal wine rating system. Wines are | | | | that wines are stored properly before they're |
| rated by different wine clubs, groups, restaurants, | | | | tasted. They are kept at room temperature of |
| food critics, magazines, and wine aficionados. Just | | | | 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Most wines are |
| like movies may get good or bad ratings | | | | sampled as soon as the bottle is poured, and then |
| depending on the critic, the same wine may get a | | | | decanted and allowed to be set aside. They may |
| higher or lower rating depending on who is doing | | | | be re-tasted in 20 minute intervals, to evaluate |
| the actual rating. Most wine rating systems work | | | | any changes in the character and taste. |
| the same as any other rating system, awarding a | | | | You may have seen a wine taster take a sip of |
| number of points to a particular wine in a variety | | | | wine or water and spit it out afterwards. To be |
| of categories. Wine Spectator, a leading magazine | | | | sure that there is no mixture of tastes and |
| about wine, uses a 100-point system when rating | | | | adulteration of the wine rating system, the taster |
| wines. One you understand the different | | | | may rinse his or her mouth with water and then |
| categories of how a wine is critiqued, you may be | | | | spit that out. They may also spit out the wine |
| better able to understand the wine rating system | | | | simply because ingesting it may affect the taste |
| you're perusing. | | | | of the next sip of wine. |
| What is Usually Evaluated | | | | Can You Trust a Wine Rating System? |
| Most who review wines evaluate it by more than | | | | One wine expert stated on his website that |
| just its flavor. Texture and aroma are also | | | | evaluating a wine is much like relating what you |
| important. This is because these things are | | | | see shaped by clouds. Everyone is different and |
| typically affected by the quality of the fruit that is | | | | it's all very subjective and open to interpretation. |
| used, the fermentation process, and the | | | | Think of a movie you saw that got great |
| procedure used to make the wine. A poor quality | | | | reviews, and you thought was a complete waste |
| aroma or lack of texture can affect anyone's | | | | of time - or vice versa. Wine rating systems are |
| wine rating system, and quite a bit at that. To | | | | just like that; if you have the same taste and |
| better illustrate, imagine have a cup of coffee | | | | preferences as the evaluator, then you're likely to |
| that tastes good but smells like dishwater, or that | | | | agree with his or her opinions. If your tastes are |
| is as thick as mud. Obviously the smell and | | | | different, your opinions will be different as well. |
| texture of any beverage or food is important to | | | | The best thing to do is experiment a bit with wine |
| the enjoyment of it, just as much as the actual | | | | sample from a local winery and see which types |
| taste. | | | | appeal to your palate. |
| How Evaluations Are Done | | | | |