By Ronald Rens, M. Sc., Wine Master, President of The Bordeaux Wine Experience

From my point of view objective wine criticism doen’t exist. Even the famous Robert Parker ratings represent one guy’s opinion on a wine. RP would be the first to say so. What’s the difference between a 93 or a 95 rating. Rating wine is more of an art than a science. Ratings help you choose but it is no religion.
On our wine tours to Bordeaux I often compare these ratings to art. Just because the artist is famous doesn’t mean you have to like his work or even all his work.
In the end of the day I feel that wine is made for pleasure and not to invest in. If you like it, it is OK. Even if Parker wouldn’t touch the stuff, even if it were the last bottle of wine on the planet.
Find a critic with a simular taste to yours and then his ratings are usefull for you.
Don’t change your taste to be in sinc with the ratings. Good food, good wine and good company, that’s what it is about in life. You wouldn’t select your friends on some one elses ratings. Follow your own preference with wine as well.

Cheers from Bordeaux,

Ronald Rens

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