Wine writers have been around for almost as long as there has been wine, but in the past, generally speaking, most wine writing was uncritical and emphasized wine as a romantic, historic beverage. Criticism and comparative tastings were eschewed for fear of offending the trade, which most writers depended upon for survival.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Wine to me is something that brings people together. Wine does promote conversation and promote civility, but it's also fascinating. It's the greatest subject to study. No matter how much you learn, every vintage is going to come at you with different factors that make you have to think again.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The best Chateauneuf-du-Papes are among the most natural expressions of grapes, place and vintage. Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards are farmed organically or biodynamically, and the region's abundant sunshine and frequent wind (called 'le mistral') practically preclude the need for treating the fields with herbicides or pesticides.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

No sane man can afford to dispense with debilitating pleasures; no ascetic can be considered reliably sane.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Part of life is to live it, and enjoy it, and seize the moments that you find particularly pleasing.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The wine world is so big. Yes, there are styles of wines I don't like. Orange wine, natural wines and low-alcohol wines. Truth is on my side, and history will prove I am right.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I like white wine when it's young and vigorous. I don't think you should cellar white wine at all, unless it's white Burgundy, and definitely not nonvintage Champagne.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Fettuccine Alfredo is dangerous for your health.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

These are the people who do studies that your carry-out Chinese meals are saturated in fat. I'd just like to meet them! I mean, what do they do for pleasure?

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I'm a common-sense kind of guy.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The primary requisite for writing well about food is a good appetite.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I've always followed the rule that anything worth doing is worth doing excessively.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

When I put my nose in a glass, it's like tunnel vision. I move into another world, where everything around me is just gone, and every bit of mental energy is focused on that wine.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

My personal philosophy is, you can be sure of nothing.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I believe that the responsibility of the winemaker is to take that fruit and get it into the bottle as the most natural and purest expression of that vineyard, of the grape varietal or blend, and of the vintage.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I always said your best palate is your own, not mine. I'm a guidepost.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

In the wine world, crusaders would have wine consumers believe that the only wines of merit are something completely indefinable but which they call 'authentic' or 'natural.'

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The advantage we have as Americans is that we can be fair; we tend to be more open-minded about different styles of wine.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

It's nearly impossible to believe just how provincial the wine world was in 1978, the year I launched my journal, 'The Wine Advocate.' There were no wines exported from New Zealand and virtually none from Australia (including Penfolds Grange, one of the greatest wines in existence).

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The first famous winemaking consultant was the late professor Emile Peynaud, who reigned over Bordeaux throughout the 1940s, '50s, '60s and '70s.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. Quotes

Wine to me is something that brings people together. Wine does promote conversation and promote civility, but it's also fascinating. It's the greatest subject to study. No matter how much you learn, every vintage is going to come at you with different factors that make you have to think again.

No sane man can afford to dispense with debilitating pleasures; no ascetic can be considered reliably sane.

Part of life is to live it, and enjoy it, and seize the moments that you find particularly pleasing.

The wine world is so big. Yes, there are styles of wines I don't like. Orange wine, natural wines and low-alcohol wines. Truth is on my side, and history will prove I am right.

I like white wine when it's young and vigorous. I don't think you should cellar white wine at all, unless it's white Burgundy, and definitely not nonvintage Champagne.

Fettuccine Alfredo is dangerous for your health.

These are the people who do studies that your carry-out Chinese meals are saturated in fat. I'd just like to meet them! I mean, what do they do for pleasure?

I'm a common-sense kind of guy.

The primary requisite for writing well about food is a good appetite.

I've always followed the rule that anything worth doing is worth doing excessively.

When I put my nose in a glass, it's like tunnel vision. I move into another world, where everything around me is just gone, and every bit of mental energy is focused on that wine.

My personal philosophy is, you can be sure of nothing.

I believe that the responsibility of the winemaker is to take that fruit and get it into the bottle as the most natural and purest expression of that vineyard, of the grape varietal or blend, and of the vintage.

I always said your best palate is your own, not mine. I'm a guidepost.

In the wine world, crusaders would have wine consumers believe that the only wines of merit are something completely indefinable but which they call 'authentic' or 'natural.'

The advantage we have as Americans is that we can be fair; we tend to be more open-minded about different styles of wine.

It's nearly impossible to believe just how provincial the wine world was in 1978, the year I launched my journal, 'The Wine Advocate.' There were no wines exported from New Zealand and virtually none from Australia (including Penfolds Grange, one of the greatest wines in existence).

The first famous winemaking consultant was the late professor Emile Peynaud, who reigned over Bordeaux throughout the 1940s, '50s, '60s and '70s.