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