Wine Spectator

Need a good bottle of wine to go with dinner but don't want to pay too much? It's easy to spend too much for a bottle of wine. As any good store clerk will tell you, it's much harder to get a great bottle of wine for a low price. The reviews/ratings in Wine Spectator hold fairly true to my taste preferences -- so I've been happy. But, the only way that you'll know if you agree with the ratings from Wine Spectator are if you try them. Like any review, keep in mind that wine reviews are very subjective and complicated by the fact that some wines can be damaged in transit. The reviewers are experienced and take this and many other factors into consideration.

The magazine offers good value if you're interested in wine.


Life's too short to drink bad wine.   October 26, 2001
Bruce C. Moore (Seattle, WA United States)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

The format of this magazine, it's dimensions and heft, reveal much about Wine Spectator's coverage of the subject matter. So much to learn and experience and so little time.

Wine Spectator does an excellent job of covering the wine world, it's fascinating history and contemporary culture, the mind blowing breadth of wine offerings, and invaluable guidance on how to approach, acquire, care for, and enjoy wine.

I've found almost all of the articles of interest. Often times I end up discovering a new varietal or regional wine I knew nothing about and had no interest in. This has really helped me expand my palette as well as my knowledge...and my modest cellar.

If you know alot about wine, you probably read Wine Spectator already, because you know how much more there is to discover. If you are at all interested in wine, grab this magazine and read it from front cover to back. You'll be anxious for the next issue, and your next visit to your local wi!ne merchant.


a glossy take on wine for the amateur and the expert   August 14, 2006
David A. Baer (Indianapolis, IN USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

The Wine Spectator is one of those magazines designed to reassure you that you're rich or that you soon could be, all in the context of a shared love for the fruit of the vine.

There's lots of deadly serious material in this glossy, pleasing publication. But if you're a lover of wine who is *not* rich - the category includes this reviewer - you need to learn to take it with a sense of humor. Just enjoy the game.

That game includes a travelogue of the world's wine regions as well as the possibility of gaining a decent education via month-by-month reading in viticulture and wine appreciation itself. This reader is in it for the long haul - I hope to enjoy good wine at an affordable cost for the duration of this earthly slog - and the Wine Spectator is my companion along the way.

My job takes me out for many dinners in various parts of the world that include wine-splendored places like France, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and - of course - Northern California. But with wineries now in 49 of the USA's fifty states, what's *not* a wine region these days?

On those business treks, I find myself out for dinner as often as not. It's personally satisfying to know just enough to order a Pinotage in Capetown, since only South Africa produces this varietal, or to opt for one of Argentina's persuasive Malbecs because they're just *that* good. We're not talking wine snobbery here, just satisfaction at the margins of life's all too margin-less journeys.

If this sounds like your game, the Wine Spectator may be a worthwhile investment. Even if not, consider splitting a subscription with a colleague. That's what I do. At half the price, I get a fine magazine and avoid burdening my bookshelves with one more heavy, beautiful, pleasant magazine. Life can deal you worse.


Improved   November 10, 2006
T. Burger (Chicago)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

There's certainly a lot to hate about Wine Spectator - and, for that matter, Wine Advocate. Many winemakers decry the existence of both magazines, and usually lay the blame entirely at Robert Parker's doorstep for making the 100-point rating system an industry standard.

Wine Spectator's scores have gotten better with time, as have their articles. They've shied away from California "glitz" and have looked more into food. Also, the education classes that they list on their website are becoming increasingly more helpful.

Apparently they listened to much of the criticism and worked toward creating a more respected magazine. I think they've done well.



The quintessential gourmet magazine   October 27, 2001
FreefFreefieFreefinatorFreeforAllFreeferoni (Seattle, WA USA)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Whether you're a wine collector, a connosiuer, a novice with passion to learn more about wine, or a "foodie", your interests will be well-served with a subscription to "Wine Spectator".

"Wine Spectator" is always current on the hip trends, prices, and hot picks among wines and never seems to miss a beat with their thorough reviews. They know what's hot and what's not -- and if you're like most of the population and can't spend $400.00 on a bottle of wine, or don't feel that you know enough to even enjoy a $400.00 bottle of wine, don't worry -- they don't cater to only and upper eschelon of wine drinkers. "Wine Spectator" makes recommendations and highlights wines in all prices ranges, defying the myth that a good bottle of wine has to be expensive. Additionally, I've always found "Wine Spectator" wine ratings to be consistent- using their 100-point rating system.

Issues of "Wine Spectator" are hearty and filled with information. While it has it'!s share of advertisements, it's not overwhelming like, for instance, your average glamour magazine with 10 pages of ads for every one page of content!

Whether you're looking to know what your wine cellar is worth with current pricing, want to know if you should drink or hold, want to read more wine reviews, or just want to learn more about the fine art of wine appreciation, "Wine Spectator" is a great subscription pick.