LIQUID INVESTMENTS
MICHAEL FRIDJHON: Inflationary scoring system fails to recognise best wines
There is no room for the truly exceptional if hordes of products are deemed ‘world class’ within weeks of release
In the arcane world of wine geek bickering, the question of scores occupies a disproportionate amount of territory. Those who, like me, are parsimonious in allocating points suggest that no useful purpose is served in scoring hundreds of current vintage wines in the 95- to 100-point range. There’s not enough differentiation, there’s no room for the truly exceptional, there’s no real benchmarking if hordes of products are deemed “world class” within weeks of release. Just as employers have become deeply suspicious of the value of a matric certificate in an era where the pass rate hovers around 75%, so wine drinkers are entitled to doubt the value of a standard that can be so easily attained. Those who are more generous argue that their mean-spirited colleagues have failed to recognise the brilliance that they have been able to discern. There might be some truth to this, though the more cynical commentators observe that high scoring is merely self-promotion. The problem is that whoeve...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.