Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide: Complete, Easy-To-Use Reference on Recent Vintages, Prices, and Ratings for More Than 8,000 Wines from All the Major W: Amazon.de: Robert M., Jr. Parker: Englische Bücher

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Just who is Robert McDowell Parker Jr.? Readers--and there are lots of them--for whom the name Parker stands for consumer-friendly, no-nonsense, professional wine criticism can find out in the 1,703-page Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide, the fifth updated edition by the prolific publisher of The Wine Advocate consumer newsletter; author of classic books on Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhone Valley; and inductee into France's Legion of Honor. Not bad for a guy who was sending out free copies of his wine reviews to the Baltimore area in 1978. Robert Parker is now arguably the world's most respected wine critic--just try to find a retail wine shelf without at least one of his ratings proudly displayed. And now readers can see 8,000 of them between the covers of this ambitious volume.

Parker and his assistant use his 100-point system to rate Old and New World vintages and producers with single-palate objectivity and the aplomb of one of his early influences, Ralph Nader. It's no mystery why his periodical contains the term advocate: readers of the Guide will learn why the author never participates in wine judgings and doesn't accept freebies. Parker also weighs in on monster vertical wine tastings, nondrinking wine collectors, ego-driven "collector-spitters," wine producers' greed, wine writers' ethics and competence, and restaurant wine-pricing policy. And that's just in the guide's 40-page introduction! The chapter on Bordeaux beautifully dismisses the moldy 1855 Classification as "out of date" due to "negligence, incompetence, and just plain greed" and being "of only academic interest to the consumer." His judicious use of an exclamation point may also unearth a relative bargain: the wines of St. Julien "are frequently indistinguishable from" their higher-priced Pauillac neighbors, "so consumers take note!" But calling the tune doesn't preclude a couple of flat notes: the Guide is chock full of nonspecific cellaring recommendations. When do we drink, for example, our 1996 Sierra Vista Zinfandel? Parker suggests "over the next 1-2 years," but when to start counting? The wine's vintage? The Guide's date of publication? The year we read the entry? Parker also uses an unusual lettering guide to wine prices, and chapters aren't delineated well. So maybe it's not a Buyer's Guide at all--it's too heavy to tote to your local wine shop, and the vagaries of publishing prevent the inclusion of the latest available vintages. But what a read! Meticulously researched and brimming with thoughtful vinous commentary, this Guide demonstrates why the five words to send a wine lover gulping in breathless anticipation are "Parker gave it a 92." --Tony Mason -- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine vergriffene oder nicht verf�gbare Ausgabe dieses Titels.

From Library Journal

Parker, a well known wine expert and an excellent writer, reviews the wines of France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, California, and Oregon in depth. After a particularly well written beginning chapter that includes lots of helpful facts, he lapses into 600 pages of tasting notes and chatty commentary. For each region, he gives accurate, concise information and a summary of recent vintages. In addition to naming the best growers, he rates them and offers a buying strategy for investors. Parker also includes the retail price and his numerical rating for each wine. Tiny chapters on the "best of the rest" conclude the book. Offering much valuable information, the book has only minor flaws and is an excellent buy. Recommended for libraries with serious wine readers. Carolyn I. Alexander, USACDEC Technical Information Ctr., Fort Ord, Cal.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. -- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine andere Ausgabe: Taschenbuch .

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Too much Burgundy and too little new world... 25. Januar 2000

Von Kim Nielsen

Format:Taschenbuch

I've always (up to now) been a fan of Parkers books. In my opinion, he's always managed to give a thorough description of all areas he has visited - since last book issue.. This is not the case for 'Wine buyers guide, 5th edition' ! First of all, 500 pages (of 1700 in total) on Burgundy alone is waaay over the top (unless you are a burgundy devote, of course !) On the other hand, it seems like mr. Parker still hasn't recognised the potential in many new areas of the world (ie NZ, here look for James Hallidays EXCELLENT wine companion instead) And what about the emerging South Africa ? As stated by other reviewers, other parts of France don't get their fair share and - you can certainly do better that that on Germany, Bob ! Even though I've bought the book - and in some way, feel it covers the newer vintages, I cannot help feeling let down, considering earlier editions. So...I only give it an 86 out of 100 ! (eat that, Bob)

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Mächtiges Nachschlagewerk!!! 24. Januar 2000

Von Ein Kunde

Leider viel über die USA-Weine, aber dort ist er halt zuhause...

Bordeaux: Die Jahrgangserklärungen 1997-1947 komplett, jeweils mit Unterteilung aller Regionen und deren jeweils besten Weingütern des entsprechenden Jahres- SUPER!

Skimped on the Loire, Provence and Vintages 11. Dezember 1999

Disappointing. Readers of the Wine Advocate already have more information in those periodicals than they will found in this book. For instance, this book does not provide a rating for a single wine from the Loire, Provence, Bergerac, the Southwest of France, or South Africa (which is not even listed in the index). Additionally, Parker has skimped on vintages listed (for instance, he generally lists no more than 2 or three per wine). Those looking for guidance on current vintage Bordeaux, Burgundy and California and for general overview information will probably be more pleased than I was with this offering.