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	The S. F. Chronicle describes one of their "Top 100 Wines". Columns to Savor Michael De Loach Wine Tasting Season Survival, Standards, Darlings and Trendy Wines, and A Quick Planning Guide to Visiting the Wine Country Read more about Michael De Loach.

Wine Expert
Michael De Loach

The Home Wine
Tasting Myth

I know you have this one in your head: the stereotypical home wine tasting, with your coolest (or at least most wine-savvy) friends gathered around a pristine table covered with perfect crystal wine glasses (hundreds of them, arranged on placemats, with little numbered circles prescribing the order of tasting). There are rows of bottles covered in brown paper, numbered one through twenty-six. Crackers and water are standing by. A shining stainless-steel spit bucket adorns the center of the table. You know who actually does this sort of thing at home? No one. It’s a big myth.

	Why Most Wine Ratings Systems are Basically Worthless OR, Why I Learned to Stop Buying Wine by the Numbers and Started Reading the Fine Print We’ve all grown used to the ubiquitous “100 Point” scale. It’s on tags hanging in every grocery store and wine shop, and even printed in some wine lists. It was originally made popular by Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate, then brought to a much broader audience by The Wine Spectator and The Wine Enthusiast magazines.



	Center card: The S.F. Chronicle's non-rating system which simply selects the best wines available with simple notes. Shown here, a selection from their "Top 100 of the Year".



	Three-Stars-Style ratings systems more closely reflect the subjective nature of the human pallete and are coming back into vogue; shown here, a Connoisseurs' Guide rating usurps the usual Wine Spectator point rating.

Barbara Adams Beyond Wonderful features large recipe collections of full-proof quick and easy recipes, classic family favorites, global cuisine, and party ideas. Get illustrated cooking tips and techniques,cooking for beginners, food features, and expert advice on baking, cheese, produce, and wine.

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