“Parkerization”: the effect of Robert Parker in the world of wine

From lawyer to wine expert.

Robert Parker worked as a lawyer for 10 years before resigning in 1984 to devote himself 100% to the world of wine.

His first article on wine appeared in 1975. In 1978, he started the newsletter, “the Baltimore Washington wine advocate” in which he wrote his tasting reports. In 1979 he renamed it “The Wine Advocate”.

A meteoric rise.

He made a place for himself in the wine world with his comments on the 1982 vintage concerning Bordeaux wines. As its review progresses, it becomes a world reference, particularly for wines from Bordeaux, the Rhône and those from California. In addition to writing for The Wine Advocate, he also writes for “Food and Wine”, “BusinessWeek” and sometimes in l’Express.

“Parkerization”.

It establishes its rating on 5 criteria: the color, the bouquet, the mouth and the retention. This rating starts at 50 and goes up to 100. The rating is based on a point system:

All wines start at 50/100

+5 points for the dress

+15 points for the bouquet

+20 points for the mouth

+10 points for guarding

As for the notes, here is an overview of the comments accompanying the notes:

• 50-59: Unacceptable
• 60-69: Average
• 70-79: Pleasant
• 80-89: Very good wine
• 90-95: Excellent and complex
• 96-100: Extraordinary, grandiose

Robert Parker’s 100/100 selection.

• Château d’YQUEM – 1928

• Château MOUTON ROTHSCHILD – 1945

• Domaine de la ROMANEE CONTI – 1966

• Château LATOUR – 2005

Controversies surrounding Robert Parker’s methods.

The influence of Parker’s notes began to be such that suspicion aroused certain wine producers. Indeed, they are criticized for slightly modifying their style in order to be in the boxes of good wines for the taster. It is true that a good rating by Robert Parker almost systematically leads to the sale of all the bottles at a higher price. Its influence is particularly visible among American, British, Japanese and Chinese consumers.

Its detractors criticize it in particular for contributing to the global standardization of wine, by imposing its quality criteria. Parker, for his part, denies this, the responsible are, according to him, the producers who do not want to take commercial risks to defend the original character of their wines.

Distinctions and Honors.

In 1993 he received the title of Knight of the National Order of Merit in France, then in 1995 he was an honorary citizen of Châteauneuf du Pape.

In 1999, he was decorated with the title of knight of the order of the French Legion of Honor and then in 2005, he received the title of Officer of the Legion of Honor.

In 2002, he was named Commendatore of the Italian National Order of Merit.

Retirement of Robert Parker and Purchase of The Wine Advocate.

It was in 2012 that Robert Parker left his position as editor-in-chief. He will retire in 2019 at age 71. The magazine is 100% bought by Les Guides Michelin