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Wine
Reviews - Explanation of Ratings |
There are lots of ways to score wine; out of 5, 10, 20, 25 or 100 are all used but I use 100 as I
believe it's the most easily understood. There are of course lots of
reasons not to score wine too, but people seem to like a definitive
opinion. Please read the review and not just the score for a
complete picture.
| 98 –
100 |
Classic
|
Wow,
left me drooling for more. The ultimate wine.
|
| 94 –97 |
Superb
|
Great
wine, it almost never gets better than this.
|
| 90 –
93
|
Excellent
|
Highly
recommended, this is serious stuff.
|
| 86 –
89 |
Very Good
|
It
stands out from the crowd as a cut above average.
|
| 83 –
85 |
Good
|
All
ship shape, perfectly acceptable for everyday drinking.
Let’s just hope it didn’t cost too much.
|
| 80 –
82
|
OK
|
It
won’t poison you if you’re at a party but it might bore you to
death after a while.
|
| Below
80 |
Oh
Dear! |
Life really is too short to be drinking this
kind of thing |
Preferences
Tasting wine is a terribly subjective thing. I have seen rooms full of experts
not able to agree on whether a wine was tannic or not, let alone whether it was
any good. For this reason, I rarely participate in tastings where different
tasters notes and scores are merged. You should therefore understand my own
preferences and prejudices. If you know your own favourites you’ll soon be
able to tell from my notes and not just the scores whether a wine is for you.
In
white wines I like freshness, I adore good Chablis and sauvignon blanc and
riesling in general. I look for varietal character, indeed character period and
I don’t like the overuse of oak. I like fruity whites, but not to the point
where they become sickly. Balance is all. I prefer my reds young and fruity.
Modern red wine perhaps sums my taste up. My favourite grape is probably syrah
or shiraz, exciting in both the Rhone and Australia. Good Bordeaux can be
wonderful but can be find lean, boring and overpriced in all except the best
years. Burgundy and pinot noir in general appeals more to the hedonist in me.
Italian wine, I find can be thrilling or puzzling but always interesting.
Pricing
and Importer Information
Information on pricing or importers is
given in good faith as accurately as possible. However it is at best a moving
target as prices and details of representatives do change. Where the importer is
unknown it will be marked as (u/n) or (n/i) if not imported. Pricing is a best
estimate may vary. Any errors are just that, errors and not an attempt to
mislead or defame. Importers may wish to send corrected information and change
of contact details to Wine Republic at corrections@winerepublic.ie
As Wine Republic is trying to give guide pricing in two different countries,
where it is not known, prices will generally be given in the following bands. Please note that pricing
for any individual wine may well be in different categories for UK and Ireland
but the price estimate employed is based on the Irish market. Readers in the UK
should confirm details with the relevant importer.
|
Band
|
Ireland
|
UK
|
|
A
|
Under
€6
|
Under
£4.50
|
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B
|
€6
- €8
|
£4.50
- £6
|
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C
|
€8
- €10
|
£6
- £8
|
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D
|
€10
- €13
|
£8-
£10
|
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E
|
€13
- €16
|
£10
- £12
|
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F
|
€16
- €25
|
£12
- £15
|
|
G
|
€25
and above
|
£15
and above.
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