Wine Ranking
Wine rankings provide a clear and efficient way for critics to express their assessment of a wine’s quality.
Typically published alongside tasting notes, wine scores serve as a trusted reference for consumers and collectors, helping them navigate choices in an increasingly diverse global wine market.
Why Wine Ratings Matter
A strong rating can have a decisive impact on a wine’s reputation, visibility, and market performance. Influential publications such as Wine Spectator and renowned critics like Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate played a key role in establishing standardized wine scoring, developing a 100-point ranking system, turning ratings into an essential benchmark.
The 100-Point Wine Scoring Approach
The 100-point scale is the most commonly used system for evaluating wines today, and we, at VinoVistara, have considered this system as well. Modeled on the American grading system, it starts at 50 points rather than zero. Although some critics question its limited practical range—since the majority of wines score between 85 and 100 points—it remains the industry standard and continues to gain widespread acceptance among both professional and amateur tasters.
Wine Spectator 100-Point Scale
| Score Range | Classification | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 95–100 | Classic | A great wine of exceptional quality |
| 90–94 | Outstanding | A wine of superior character and style |
| 85–89 | Very Good | A wine with special qualities |
| 80–84 | Good | A solid, well-made wine |
| 75–79 | Mediocre | A drinkable wine with minor flaws |
| 50–74 | Not Recommended | Lacking quality or balance |
Understanding Wine Scores
Wine scores should be viewed as guidance, not absolute judgment. Personal taste, food pairing, occasion, and style preference all play an important role in wine enjoyment. A highly rated wine signals quality, craftsmanship, and consistency—but the best wine is always the one you enjoy most.