Wine-Searcher Does Not Understand Wine Quality

by Andrew Chalk

In an article entitled The Best Value Champagnes for 2024, by Natalie Sellers, wine-searcher claims that a 98-point wine costing $49 is equal value-for-money as a 90-point wine costing $45.

That is obviously wrong.

A moment’s editorial reflection would have convinced them that the value of an additional point in a wine rating depends on how many points you already have. It may be worth paying $1/bottle to go from an 89-point wine to a 90-point wine, but going to a 98-point wine from a 90-point wine is worth a lot more than $8. Point value is not constant. Many, likely most, readers would regard the 98 point wine better value than the 90 point wine even if it was twice the price.