All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are carried out blind. Usually, items are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers might know basic information about a flight to provide context– vintage, range or appellation– however never the manufacturer or market price of any offered choice. When possible, items considered problematic or uncustomary are retasted.
About ball games
Rankings reflect what our editors felt about a specific product. Beyond the score, we encourage you to read the accompanying tasting note to learn more about an item’s special characteristics.
98– 100
The pinnacle of quality
94– 97
An excellent accomplishment
90– 93
Highly suggested
87– 89
Typically great value; well suggested
83– 86
Suitable for everyday intake; often great value
80– 82
Can be used
Products deemed inappropriate (getting a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.