Wine Ratings

We've all been there. The look of uncertainty as we stare at row upon row of bottles of
wine. Oh, if only the best ones would throw themselves off the shelf into our arms so we know which are truly great ones that we'll love to drink.

Most wine stores post the wine rating to help guide your purchases. This article is designed
to help you understand the tool, make the most of it, and avoid its pitfalls.

There are several different wine ratings that are often referenced. Nearly all use a 100 point scale which can be broken into these classifications:

96-100 Extraordinary
90-95 Outstanding
80-89 Above average to very good
70-79 Average
50-69 Below average to poor

Now in a perfect world, everyone who rates wine will give it the same score, right? Since we all have different criteria and palates, this rarely occurs. However, the scores are normally within the same range. As a rule of thumb, Two Blondes normally try to seek out wines that score at least an 87.

Robert Parker is likely the most well respected wine connoisseur in the world. He publishes the Wine Advocate and has written several books. His ratings are usually the most stringent, meaning he's a tough judge. Two Blondes use his rating system whenever we host a wine party. He begins with a 50 point base line and allocates points in this manner:

Baseline 50 points
Color/Appearance 0-5 points
Aroma/Bouquet 0-15 points
Flavor/Finish 0-20 points
Overall Quality 0-10 points

Add them together, and you get the score.

Wine Spectator is probably the most popular wine rating system, so you'll see it referenced a lot. We've definitely found it to be quite helpful, although some critics complain that the ratings are partial to really big in your face cabs from California. In any case, WS's ratings are a very solid reference point when you're shopping. You can research wine ratings if you subscribe to their online membership. If you're like us, you can read Wine Spectator magazine each month, but it's impossible to remember the ratings for the hundreds of wines featured in each issue unless you're Melissa's husband, Jeff. He's our walking wine encyclopedia—quite an asset when you're on a wine buying adventure. We’re contemplating
renting him out to our readers. Just kidding!

So, now that you understand how a wine is rated, here is some blonde advice on using the ratings to make your selection.

A common myth is that you have to spend a lot of money to get a great bottle of wine. There are plenty of wines rated 90 points and higher that are available for under $30…some even under $20. We try to point you towards these in each issue. Check out our recommendations in this issue's Raise Your Glass section.

Another myth is that you're going to love every wine rated over 90 points. We've experienced our share of disappointments. Why? There are so many reasons. We all have different palates. Some wine characteristics that appeal to one person, are not appreciated by another. Another could be that the wine was not stored properly, so the flavor was destroyed. Or the bottle you are drinking may be corked. Believe it or not, corked wines tainted by TCA, a chemical compound, occur 3-8% of the time. Of course, you can avoid corked wines completely by drinking wine with a screw cap (no, we're not kidding. This is becoming more in vogue with well respected wineries as an economical way to avoid corked wine). Or, maybe the wine is just too young to fully experience it in all its glory.

Our advice is to use wine ratings as a reference, but don't live and die by them, or you're likely to miss out on some fabulous wine.

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Kim Crawford 2003 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Marlborough, New Zealand
$16.00

Run, don't walk, to your nearest wine store and buy a case of this New Zealand wine by Kim Crawford (sorry boys, I don't think he's any relation to Cindy). Why are you still reading this? You should be on your way right now before it's sold out. We're not kidding. We've been purchasing it every chance we get in stores in DE and PA, but the state store nearest us was sold out last week.

This wine produced by a husband and wife team was ranked #51 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines with a 90 point rating. Here's the best party, it's only $16!!!! This is a wine even non-wine drinkers will enjoy. It has an amazing burst of flavor that will linger a bit and do a little dance on your tongue. It is NOT a wimpy, sauvignon blanc. Enticing nose, beautiful straw color with a hint of green, delicious flavor. We hope we've convinced you to get in the car right now and seek some of this great wine.

OK, for you rebels who continue to ignore our advice and are still reading, this wine is great as an aperitif served with cheeses and appetizers (check out our recipes in this issue). It's also quite yummy with a seafood entrée.

Sebastiani 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
Sonoma County, CA
$29.99

This is a knock-your-socks off bold wine from Alexander Valley at the northern tip of Sonoma County California. It has a rich blackberry flavor that will have your taste buds hopping. This wine has not yet been rated since it was just released last fall. However, the 2001 vintage was rated 92 points by Wine Spectator and wine drinkers on a listserv said this is even better. We served this at a wine tasting in February and we can vouch for it. It's still young, so if you open a bottle now, decant it for a good 1.5 hours to get some air into it. This wine will smooth out with age.

You may be surprised to learn that to be called a Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine does not have to be 100% of that grape. In California, the wine must have at least 75% of one grape to be called by that grape's name. This Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon is actually 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Zinfandel. The going price for this wine is $29.99. A bit more than we normally try to spotlight, but it is reasonable for a kickin' cab from California. If you're looking for a big bold red wine, try it!

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These are two favorite appetizers. We served both at a holiday party and they were a huge hit. Everyone was asking for the recipes. Very gourmet looking, super tasty, yet incredibly easy to make. Best of all, you can make both ahead of time and just pop in the oven before serving so you can spend your time enjoying a glass of wine with your guests rather than slaving in the kitchen.

Goat Cheese Florentine

• 1 package small phyllo shells/cups
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ a bunch of scallions
• 1 pound of spinach, washed and dried
• ½ a bunch of parsley
• ¼ pound goat cheese
• 2 eggs slightly beaten
• salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil and saute scallions until soft. Add spinach and cook until wilted, stirring frequently. Pour into a colander and take extra care to press out all of the juices.
Toss spinach and scallions into food processor. Add goat cheese, herbs and eggs.
Mix until well blended. Season to taste. Cool completely.

Spoon the cheese filling into the shells. Cook in oven as directed on the phyllo box.
Serve hot.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

OK, we admit that dates do not sound very appealing. But this appetizer has incredible taste and takes mere minutes to make.

• Fresh dates
• Bacon
• Nutmeg
• Gouda-optional
• Toothpicks

Wrap each date with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. You can also add a bit of gouda cheese to mix it up. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Cook in 350 degree oven until bacon is cooked completely. Serve hot. Yummy!!!

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Spring is a favorite time for wine festivals in cities throughout the U.S. Philadelphia's is set for May 1-5. Do an online search to check out wine happenings near you.

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Past issues of Two Blondes are available for your reading pleasure.

Issue 1 • Issue 2

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