PARKER'S WINE BUYER'S GUIDE, 4TH EDITION: Fourth Edition [Paperback]

Robert M. Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 1995

Revised, updated, and greatly expanded, this guide provides complete, easy-to-understand facts, opinions, and ratings for more than 7,500 wines from all major wine regions. With his famous 50-100 point system and entertaining, informative tasting notes, Parker once again makes the world of wine accessible to everyone. Color maps and charts throughout. National ads/media.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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 The chapter on Bordeaux beautifully dismisses the moldy 1855 Classification as "out of date" due to "negligence, incompetence, and just plain greed" and being "of only academic interest to the consumer."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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1216 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 4th edition (November 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068480283X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684802831
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,326,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best overall guide around, October 5, 2000

By 

monsieurms "monsieurms" (USA East Coast) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PARKER'S WINE BUYER'S GUIDE, 5TH EDITION : Complete, Easy-to-Use Reference on Recent Vintages, Prices, and Ratings for More Than 8,000 Wines from All the Major Wine Regions (Paperback)

You can make up your mind whether you agree with Parker's tastes or not, but he is thorough, accepts no ads, ranks high in the integrity column, and is consistent. If you are looking for a guide, you should not just examine Parker's book. There are many wine viewpoints that are helpful in the world. But it is also hard to think of anyone that does such a comprehensive job with such talent and integrity. You don't have to agree with every opinion or every review to appreciate this unique resource.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best "wine dictionary" out there!, March 23, 1998

By 

A. C. Simonson (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PARKER'S WINE BUYER'S GUIDE, 4TH EDITION: Fourth Edition (Paperback)

This is the most thorough wine book I've ever seen. Yes, it rates thousands of wines, but it gives much more. Information about how wines are made, what grapes are used, what to look for when buying wine, how long wines can be stored, etc. Not everyone has the same taste when it comes to wine, but Parker's descriptions are well thought out so you know what the wine tastes like BEFORE you buy it. I'm patiently waiting for the new (fifth) edition.......

42 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much Burgundy and too little new world..., January 25, 2000

By 

Kim Nielsen (Skovlunde Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PARKER'S WINE BUYER'S GUIDE, 5TH EDITION : Complete, Easy-to-Use Reference on Recent Vintages, Prices, and Ratings for More Than 8,000 Wines from All the Major Wine Regions (Paperback)

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)