http://disqus.com/by/ledomduvin/enSun, 12 Jul 2009 22:37:17 -0000http://www.winelifetoday.com/2009/04/robert-parker-should-be-ashamed-of-himself/#comment-12562851<p>I totally agree with you Alastair. I have been a Wine Buyer, Sommelier and Wine Director for the past 17 years, and a recent wine blogger yet I only obey to my taste buds. Although I respect him, I won't let myself influenced and do not care about what Mr. Parker has to say. In most cases, I taste without knowing the price, the rating or any other influential info.</p><p>I do not discuss the undeniable work that Mr. Parker has done for the past 30 years and the amount of people that he helped along the way to be discovered and attain the recognition that they have now.</p><p>What I'm trying to say is that Mr. Parker is only one man with one, now well established and characteristic, palate. He has been for years attracted by much more extracted, bolder, riper, heavier, woodier wines than the public wants to taste...</p><p>When he started, the American consumers were not educated and needed to follow the conviction and enthusiasm of someone that show them the right path. 30 years later, and I'm sure that is the reason why he is acting and talking like this (as Alastair said in his comment), he is slowly dying and loosing his touch.</p><p>People are now much more educated about wine than they used to be 20-30 years ago and they are eager for much more info than before, more precision and more discoveries: value wines, with more balance, more acidity, less wood, fresher, juicier fruit, lower prices, from smaller producers, more organic, biodynamic and from sustainable culture. More over, with this economy, who can really afford big labels and brands anymore.</p><p>Consumers want some new juice for a better price and that is what most wine bloggers bring to our attention and write about: somewhat undiscovered, small, artisan winemaker and lesser known wineries freshly arrived in the market. New wines that have not necessarily been in Mr. Parker's office or even Wine Spectator bureau for approbation.</p><p>They talk about what they drink and taste everyday. What fascinate them and trigger their interest. We are talking about thousand and thousand of different palates from all around the world, tasting wines from all around the world and expressing their opinions, and most of the time without rating and other numbers, just words and passion.</p><p>I would even agree more, with Alastair comment, by repeating his last sentence: "Blogs are about entertainment as well as opinion and fact and most of the ones I read are far more interesting than Parker's output."</p><p>Keep up the good work wine bloggers, as long as you stay true to your taste buds, to the wine and its origin, you should not be discourage to express yourself. People browsing the internet knows that to get the best info, you have to diversify your source of information. So keep up writing!</p><p>Enjoy!</p><p>LeDom du Vin<br><a href="http://www.LeDomduVin.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="www.LeDomduVin.com">www.LeDomduVin.com</a> </p>ledomduvinSun, 12 Jul 2009 22:37:17 -0000