Buying Guide

Our comprehensive database of 112,909 wine ratings and reviews reflects the depth, breadth and variety in the U.S. market, all reviewed by our tasting panel. Exhaustive and wide-ranging, you’ll find everything from the latest Assyrtiko from Greece to the top rated Zinfandels from California and everything in-between. Learn more about the Wine Enthusiast tasting team and how we rate.

• Who We Are

  Our tasting panel includes the most knowledgeable wine critics in the business. Located worldwide, our editors are assigned to specific regions, offering insider perspective on the emerging stars and iconic producers.

• What We Taste

  The Buying Guide includes wine ratings and wine reviews of new releases and selected older wines evaluated by Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s editors and other qualified tasters since the current program’s inception in 1999.

• How We Rate

  Tastings are conducted individually or in a group setting and performed blind or in accordance with accepted industry practices. Price is not a factor in assigning scores. When possible, wines considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.

• About the Scores

  Our wine ratings reflect what our editors felt about a particular wine. Beyond the rating, we encourage you to read the accompanying tasting note to learn about a wine’s special characteristics.

  Classic	98—100:	The pinnacle of quality.
  Superb	94—97:	Highly recommended.
  Excellent	90—93:	Highly recommended.
  Very Good	87—89:	Often good value; well recommended.
  Good	83—86:	Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
  Acceptable	80—82:	Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.

  Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.

• Special Designations

  Editors’ Choice wines are those that offer excellent quality at a price above our Best Buy range, or a wine at any price with unique qualities that merit special attention.

  Cellar Selections are wines deemed highly collectible and/or requiring time in a temperature-controlled wine cellar to reach their maximum potential. A Cellar Selection designation does not mean that a wine must be stored to be enjoyed, but that cellaring will probably result in a more enjoyable bottle. In general, an optimum time for cellaring will be indicated.

  Best Buys are wines that offer a high level of quality in relation to price. There are no specific guidelines or formulae for determining Best Buys, but they are generally priced at $15 or less.