The Wine Advocate

The Wine Advocate The Wine Advocate is a subscription-based wine publication founded in 1978 by Robert M. Parker Jr. It provided critics' tasting notes, numerical ratings, and market-moving commentary that influenced collectors, importers, distributors, and auction houses across the wine world. Its format and influence intersected with major figures, regions, and institutions in viticulture, enology, and luxury goods markets.

History

Robert M. Parker Jr. launched the publication in 1978 after gaining recognition for his tasting of Bordeaux and Burgundy, drawing attention from estates such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Pétrus. Early adopters included importers like Kermit Lynch, négociants such as Maison Louis Latour, retailers like Decanter shops, and collectors active at auction houses including Christie's and Sotheby's. The publication's rise paralleled events such as the Judgment of Paris and the expansion of regions including Bordeaux wine, Burgundy wine, Champagne, Rhone Valley, Tuscany, Piedmont, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendoza Province, Barossa Valley, Mosel, Ribera del Duero, Rioja (DO), Douro (wine region), Willamette Valley, and Hunter Region. Parker's role connected him to institutions and people such as University of California, Davis, Institut Pasteur, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Wine Spectator, Decanter (magazine), The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and collectors like Bill Koch and Robert Mondavi. Over time the magazine incorporated critics tied to regions like Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Chianti, Barolo, Barbaresco, Priorat, Cahors, Sancerre, and Loire Valley. Ownership and structural changes involved entities such as Fairfax Financial, investment groups including Vinvention Capital Partners, and figures from publishing like Ann B. Walker and Maria Brown.

Editorial approach and rating system

The publication popularized a numerical 100-point scale that affected wine markets, sommeliers at restaurants such as The French Laundry, El Bulli, Noma (restaurant), and wine buyers at retailers like Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and Harvey Nichols. Critics used blind tasting protocols influenced by methodologies from University of California, Davis labs and sensory science groups, aligning with standards from organizations including the Institute of Masters of Wine and Court of Master Sommeliers. Ratings emphasized attributes tied to grape varieties and regions: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, and Malbec (grape). The tasting notes referenced producers such as Opus One Winery, Screaming Eagle, Dominus Estate, Vega Sicilia, Antinori, Gaja (winery), Tenuta San Guido, Château d'Yquem, Château Cheval Blanc, and Château Ausone. Editorial standards asserted independence from négociants, distributors, and critics' restaurant affiliations, echoing debates involving outlets like Wine Enthusiast and Jancis Robinson.

Publications and influence

The publication issued regional reports, Vintage Guides, and tasting summaries that shaped auctions at Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, and influenced secondary market platforms tied to collectors like Jeff Bezos-backed ventures and investment funds such as Moss Adams. Its influence extended to restaurants and hotels including The Ritz Paris, Hotel Plaza Athénée, Alinea, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and to wine education at Burgundy School of Business, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, and programs run by Master of Wine institutions. The magazine's scores affected vineyard valuations in areas like Pomerol, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Graves (wine region), Stellenbosch, Alexander Valley, Carmel Valley, Colchagua Valley, and Casablanca Valley. Trade bodies such as Union des Maisons de Bordeaux and regulatory councils like Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux monitored its impact. Cross-over cultural mentions occurred in publications including The Economist, Time (magazine), Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, GQ, and The Guardian.

Controversies and criticism

Critics linked the rating system to homogenization debates involving Michel Rolland, Emmanuel Giboulot, Steven Spurrier, Alice Feiring, Jancis Robinson, and institutions like Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité. Accusations included alleged conflicts with negociants and sample provision controversies touching agents such as Jean-Luc Thunevin and distributors tied to markets in China, Hong Kong, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. High-profile editorial disputes involved personalities connected to Wine Spectator, Decanter (magazine), Wine Enthusiast, and scholars from University of Bordeaux and UC Davis. Debates over 100-point metrics spurred alternative systems advocated by Jancis Robinson, Stephen Tanzer, and advocacy from sommeliers linked to American Culinary Federation and restaurant groups like Benu (restaurant). Legal and ethical questions surfaced during ownership transitions that referenced corporate advisors such as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and investment banks like Goldman Sachs.

Contributors and key personalities

Founding critic Robert M. Parker Jr. mentored and worked alongside influential tasters and editors who became linked to estates and regions: critics associated with Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhone Valley, Tuscany, Piedmont, Napa Valley, and Argentina included names who later interacted with personalities such as Steven Spurrier, Jancis Robinson, James Suckling, Antonio Galloni, Erin Larkin, Neal Martin, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Monica Larner, Ian D'Agata, Terry Theise, Peter Sichel, Kermit Lynch, Alice Feiring, Michel Bettane, Pierre Casamayor, Michael Broadbent, Serge Hochar, Mauricio Lorca, Gérard Basset, Olivier Humbrecht, Stuart Pigott, Jasper Morris, Clive Coates, Oz Clarke, Chateau owners such as Alain Vauthier, and trade figures like André Simon. Their combined work connected to wine fairs and competitions including Vinexpo, ProWein, Salon International de l'Agriculture, Decanter World Wine Awards, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and regional tastings hosted by institutions such as Wine & Spirit Education Trust and university programs at UC Davis.

Category:Wine publications