Medals and Ratings : What's Essential
So, what are these small, round, sparkling labels affixed to certain bottles or on their bottlenecks? Prizes exist as much in the world of wine as for Limousin cows. There are numerous competitions worldwide, each with its own rules, whether it's the registration procedures, the selection of the jury, or the criteria and methods of evaluation. So here's what you need to know about medals.
The wines that compete are judged only in comparison to the other bottles presented. In France, the law limits the number of medals awarded to 1/3 of the samples presented. Most of the great wines do not participate in competitions. In these contests, tasters are mostly selected based on their skills. Some allow amateurs to participate in the jury, while others only accept professionals.
Medals can be considered as a guarantee of quality. They are there to guide you, not to impose a choice on your palate. Be inspired by the tasters. Their selection is a valuable tool, not gospel.
Which medals to trust?
- The General Agricultural Competition
- The Brussels World Wine Competition
- Decanter World Wine Awards
- National Wine Awards of Canada
- Vinalies Internationales
Consider the ratings from:
- Gilbert & Gaillard
- The Hachette Guide
- Robert Parker's Parker Note - Wine Advocate
- James Suckling
- Jancis Robinson
- La Revue des vins de France
- Wine Spectator
We won't go into the different rating scales here. It's like school. 100 or 20 = the best score. Up to 80 or 13, you can still be reassured that you won't be drinking something undrinkable. For the rest, like a school report card, it's better to avoid bad grades.
But above all, don't hesitate to inquire about the different guides and competitions. There is no universal rule. Distinction is not always reasonable. And don't forget, the palate is a muscle like any other. You need to train it to strengthen it. So, come curious and drink happily.
