I think the vocabulary of tasting notes has gotten pretty out of control, driven primarily by Parker. Granted, they are creative and evocative but it’s very subjective and serves to make the lemmings more dependent on him (wow, Bob tastes so much in wines that I don’t, he must be a super-taster). It’d be better to keep the descriptions pretty simple and relatable and focus on the aspects of the wine that are more objective, balance, acid, tannin, length, etc.

Finally, I think it’d be great if there were a service that aggregated Parker, Tanzer, Decanter, WS, Jancis etc. and pulled out common terms/flavors so that we’d have a better sense of what we’re likely to taste rather than some quirk of an individual’s taste.

P.S. Numerical ratings are silly and Gary should be the first to stop the madness

Got it and replied. Jen’s my wife.

TC

You did post your email in the previous comment. I sent you an email late last night. Did you get it? By the way, who’s Jen Ciocco?

I could have sworn that I posted my e-mail address - maybe it was under the wrong piece - in any event sorry…it’s tciocco@winelibrary.com

You can reach me at tciocco@winelibrary.com

TC

Your comments on Parker and the vagaries of ratings inspired me to synthesize all the notes I’ve been making to myself about how I want to construct wine reviews for my newsletter aimed at consumers in Central Minnesota. I’d love for you to take a look at my system and give me your feedback. Could I email it to you? If so, what is your email address?

Yes I am THE Kent Benson, Central Minnesota’s famous wine critic. But, was does IU have to do with me? Just kidding. While I love to play basketball, I’m only 5′ 10′’, so I played tennis instead. I’m a Tarheel, so I don’t have a lot of affection for my namesake from IU. You must be over 40. Not many people ask me that question anymore.

To some degree you’re right, but ALL wine shops are first and foremost BUSINESSES. Parker et al. ratings sell wine, period. If you own a deli, and you don’t smoke, do you not sell cigarettes? You’re also a vegetarian - do you not sell ham sandwiches? You’re very religious - do you not sell Playboy magazine?

Are there BOATLOADS of particular wines that I’d LOVE to not carry? You better believe it, but often it’s easier to just carry Crappola Vineyards Ruby Cabernet than it is listening to 5 people a day bitch about why you don’t carry it. There are indeed some shops that follow a very strict line, eschewing anything considered “mass market”, but then you are de facto a low volume, “niche” store. More power to those who choose this route, but WL’s business model is a different one.

We continaully encourage everyone to learn about wine, and indeed to trust their own palates with the hope that eventually NOBODY needs to be a point chaser, but until such time, selling these wines are a source of revenue that allows us to sell Marcillac and Szekszardi Bikaver and Cacc’e Mmitte, and Tocai Friulano from California. Further, there are those who will NEVER trust his or her own palate, and want little more than certainty and validation so that they can get a good load on without their buddies making fun of them.

As I said, if serving the niche market of oenophiles is your business (and it probably would be mine if I ever decided to open my own shop), then you are beholden to no critic, but if growing your business is the goal, the wine retailer has no choice but to pay SOME attention to the wine pundits. Choosing not to is just leaving money on the table.

TOM CIOCCO

For that matter, remove all of Gary’s ratings on display there as well.

Then maybe people will learn to trust their own tastes. Or maybe fewer people will buy wine at Wine Library.

It amazes me that so many people in the wine industry complain about Parker yet use his ratings to help sell wine.

BINGO! People get caught in the “27 different Carnenet Sauvignons” rut because there’s a comfort zone there. It’s a lot like learning another language - you can’t be afraid to make mistakes - if you are, that means that you never speak, and consequently, never learn either.

And, as you say, there’s a little too much worrying about what “Fred in Sales” thinks about what you’re drinking…
In any event, it sounds like you really “get it”! It’s about learning, challenging yourself, and having FUN with it. Leave the snobbery and the pissing contests at the cellar door, thank you!

TOM CIOCCO