How We Rate Wine

Wine experts often use the following 100-point system to evaluate four major characteristics or qualities of wine. In assessing each aspect, you employ different senses.

Our Rating Scale

96-100 Extraordinary
90-95 Outstanding
85-89 Very Good
70-79 Average
0-69 Avoid

Appearance

How does the wine look? Total points: 20

Nose or Bouquet

How does the wine smell? This factor is probably most crucial for “memorizing” the wine. Total points: 20

Palate

How does the wine taste and feel in your mouth? This category is obviously the most important as you decide whether or not you enjoy the wine. Total points: 50

Exceptional Qualities

This is a catchall phrase for any unusual merits worth above and beyond Appearance, Nose and Palate. Here’s where many tasters record their basic conclusions about the wine, or what they found most memorable. If a wine is an exceptionally good value, its numerical score shouldn’t be affected – but this is a place to make a note for future reference. Total points: 10

Click here to get back to Company History