SOMM Laguna

Love the wine you are with.

Do the points really matter?

Wine scoring or points really spark debate in the professional wine community. For me, I like to put it into context. If you are an average wine drinker and are looking for something that is a “safe buy” then I think the points are a good guide. Given everyone’s tastes are different, just because a wine receives a 92 score doesn’t mean that you will agree with the judges’ taste and will like the wine – the 92 score is just a guide.

Are you getting value for your points?

Again, it is a matter of perspective. If you are looking for a nice bottle you just want to enjoy with friends, does it really matter to you if you spend $24 for a 94 point wine or $22 for a 92 point wine (of the same varietal)? On the other hand, if you are looking at a $45 bottle with 94 points and a similar $24 bottle at 94 points, then yah, I think it does come into play. If you are an average wine drinker, is the $45 bottle value for the money?

Sale prices on wines.

Most of us have gone into a grocery store (or on-line) and have seen a wine that has been discounted from the retail price of $60 down to $20. Great, I should buy a case of it! Retail pricing is pretty fuzzy math in a lot of cases so “caveat emptor – buyer beware”. It’s not difficult to look up average sell prices for wine today so focus on the average selling price and not the discounted price from “retail”. Also, as wine is a perishable commodity, make sure you check the vintage date. Older wines, past their prime, are not really a value buy. Most of wines today are made to be consumed within 5 years of release so if you are looking to put some bottles away, the initial quality of the wine and how it’ll be stored comes into play. Heat, light and vibration are detrimental to wines so unless you have a cool wine cellar, a dedicated wine fridge or someplace to keep wine undisturbed, dark and around 55 – 60 degrees, I wouldn’t recommend stocking up on those older vintages.

Featured Image by: Bruno Cantuaria PEXELS

George Zoumer Certified Sommelier

One response to “Do the points really matter?”

  1. GAIL FORD Avatar
    GAIL FORD

    Morning, George!!! We’re treasuring our gorgeous bottle of vino and might drink it this weekend while we “go to a play” at our fave little theater in Santa Rosa, The Left Edge….they’re streaming a play and we have the app that puts it on our big TV so that’s pretty dang luxurious! Again, I can’t thank you enough for that terrific surprise…you are just super thoughtful and generous xoxoxo

    So here’s your naggy “proofer” again! I guess because I was the assistant to the pres and exec director of the 22,000-member teachers’ union in Nevada (the exec had been an English teacher) and we had to be sooooo perfect on all communications that went out is one reason I got this all pounded into me!! They even paid me for years after I retired to proof their monthly 25-page newsletter that went to all members….loved doing that in the comfort of my own home!

    So here are a few suggestions: The word “that” is often of course necessary, but John the exec taught me it is really a “filler” word everyone uses and waaaaaay over-uses…so if a sentence makes sense without it, don’t use it as it will sharpen up your writing. In the first paragraph, take out the “that” in the last sentence. Also change the hyphens to dashes throughout.

    The single sentences between paragraphs that you mean as “new headings” I guess should be bolded or something to distinguish them…I was a little confused at first why they were just dangling sentences….

    Another “that” in the second sentence of the second paragraph you don’t really need….

    First line of next paragraph: either “a grocery store” or “grocery stores”…and the “that” in that sentence is a keeper!

    Another pesky rule….periods go before the quotation mark at the end of “buyer beware” and “retail”…….

    “Wines that are past their prime” could be “Wines past their prime”….

    I just Googled “someplace” and it’s definitely not a preferred word….”some place” better and it said “someday” has become acceptable and maybe “someplace” will in the future….

    The info in this posting is really valuable, especially to a super novice like me!!! You addressed perfect topics!!! Onward, fab Somm!!! xoxoxo G

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