An Unexpected Jewel

So much emphasis and weight is placed on wine reviews from publications such as the Wine Spectator, and Robert Parker that many consumers have lost the pleasure of going to the local wine store and plucking a bottle from the shelf based on a recommendation from the person behind the counter. After working both sides of the fence, (one: the side of the wholesaler, and two: the side of purchaser) I have been able to see what kind of impact this system has on the wine industry.

Don’t get me wrong, wine is a difficult and vast ocean to navigate, and help in finding a style of wine that suits your palate is always appreciated. That being said, remember as a consumer your palate may not be similar to that as the wine professional that is “rating” a wine in one of the popular publications.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times, as a wine director, a recommendation was shunned because the rating a wine received was an “88”. Even though I was very confident in the style the guest was after, as well as the composition of the pairing, the wine was “not what they were looking for.”

All this being said, have a little faith in a knowledgeable server, or the wine aficionado at your favorite wine store. More often than not, you may find an unexpected jewel that is right up your alley.

Cheers!