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Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator is an influential magazine dedicated to wine, , , and lifestyle topics, renowned for its expert wine reviews, ratings, and in-depth coverage of the global wine industry. Founded in April 1976 by Bob Morrisey as a San Diego-based tabloid , it was acquired in 1979 by publisher Marvin R. Shanken, who transformed it into a leading authority on wine. Under Shanken's leadership through M. Shanken Communications, Inc., Wine Spectator shifted from its initial newspaper format to a full-color in the , introducing key innovations such as the 100-point wine scoring system in 1985 and blind tasting protocols to ensure objectivity. The publication has grown significantly, achieving audited circulation of 76,000 by 1988 and with a global readership of approximately 3 million across print, digital platforms, and apps as of 2025. Wine Spectator is celebrated for its annual Top 100 Wines list, which highlights outstanding wines based on quality, value, availability, and excitement, as well as its Grand Award, the highest honor for wine programs, bestowed upon 97 establishments worldwide as of 2025. The magazine also hosts events like the Wine Experience, attracting thousands of enthusiasts, and maintains an editorial team of more than 40 professionals with extensive expertise in wine evaluation and journalism. Its content spans vintage reports, collector guides, dining recommendations, and initiatives, solidifying its role as the world's most widely read wine publication.

Overview

Founding and Ownership

Wine Spectator was founded on April 1, 1976, by Bob Morrisey in San Diego, California, as a bi-weekly tabloid newsletter dedicated to California wines and auctions. The inaugural issue, dated April 1–15, 1976, was a 12-page tabloid newspaper that served as an insert in a trade publication, providing coverage of wine auctions, basic industry news, and consumer-oriented insights into the burgeoning California wine scene at a time when the region's industry was gaining national prominence. Morrisey, a former Marine officer and public relations executive with a passion for wine, launched the publication on a modest budget to bridge the gap between trade-focused reporting and accessible information for enthusiasts. In 1979, Marvin R. Shanken acquired Wine Spectator from Morrisey for $40,000. Shanken, who had founded M. Shanken Communications, Inc., in 1972, relocated the headquarters from to and broadened the newsletter's scope from a regional focus on auctions to a national platform encompassing wine lifestyle, collecting, and global trends. Under his leadership, the publication evolved from a niche trade insert into a consumer magazine, laying the groundwork for its expansion while retaining its commitment to credible wine journalism. Today, Wine Spectator remains the flagship publication of M. Shanken Communications, Inc., with Marvin R. Shanken serving as publisher and editor-in-chief. The company, headquartered at 825 Eighth Avenue in , employs 51-200 full-time staff dedicated to its operations, including editorial, production, and digital teams as of 2023. This structure underscores Shanken's enduring influence, as the publication continues to operate under the family-founded enterprise that has diversified into other titles like and Whisky Advocate.

Publication Format and Reach

Wine Spectator's print edition is a glossy published 10 times per year since 1986, following an earlier shift from monthly to less frequent issues to accommodate expanded content. Each issue typically contains 300 to 400 pages, featuring hundreds of wine reviews alongside articles on wine culture, food pairings, and travel. The publication's digital presence began with the launch of winespectator.com in , which now offers access to over 450,000 archived wine ratings and reviews, daily wine picks, and on the industry. Complementing the website, Wine Spectator provides a for on-the-go access to ratings and recommendations, as well as newsletters—including the free Wine of and premium Insider Weekly. Print circulation stands at approximately 400,000 subscribers as of , a decline from its peak of 425,000 in , reflecting broader trends in publishing; however, the total global reach encompasses an estimated 3 million readers through combined print, digital platforms, and partnerships. Additional outputs include a series of books such as Wine Spectator's Guide to Wine, which provide comprehensive overviews of wine varieties and regions, and special editions like the annual Top 100 Wines issue, published since 1988 to highlight the year's standout selections based on quality, value, and availability.

History

Early Development (1976–1979)

Wine Spectator was launched in April 1976 amid a surge of American interest in wine, particularly varietals, in the same year as the landmark Judgment of Paris tasting, where wines outperformed French counterparts in a blind competition. Founded by Bob Morrisey as a San Diego-based tabloid , the publication initially concentrated on West Coast wine auctions, regional industry news, and practical information for collectors and enthusiasts. The debut issue, dated April 1 and comprising 12 pages, had an initial print run of around 3,000 copies, quickly building to an early subscriber base of under 5,000. Early content emphasized straightforward reporting, including coverage of auction results, basic tasting notes on emerging wines, and interviews with industry figures to demystify wine for a growing U.S. audience. Published twice monthly, the tabloid featured classified advertisements for wine sales, which became a key revenue stream, alongside nascent sponsored content from wineries seeking visibility during the state's wine boom. With a limited staff consisting of Morrisey, his wife , and a handful of freelancers, operations were lean and hands-on, often run from their . Distribution relied primarily on direct mail subscriptions and appearances at trade shows, reflecting the publication's niche, grassroots approach. The venture faced significant financial hurdles from the outset, operating on a shoestring budget amid skepticism from the industry about its viability. By 1979, persistent undercapitalization led to near-bankruptcy, straining Morrisey's resources despite the publication's rising respect among consumers and winemakers. This precarious state culminated in the sale to publisher in late 1979, ending the independent tabloid era with its final issue in December.

Growth and Expansion (1979–Present)

Following Marvin R. Shanken's acquisition of in 1979, the publication underwent significant transformations to broaden its appeal and establish itself as a leading wine authority. Initially a struggling bi-weekly tabloid with a circulation of around 5,000, the relocated its editorial offices from to in 1982, positioning it closer to California's premier wine regions. Shanken assumed the role of editor in 1983, introducing innovations such as the "Not Recommended" category for wine reviews to enhance credibility. Between 1984 and 1987, the format evolved through two major redesigns, shifting from newsprint tabloid to a more polished style with improved production quality, including the incorporation of to better showcase wines and regions. By the late and into the , Wine Spectator expanded its scope and influence. In 1985, it adopted the 100-point wine scoring scale, standardizing evaluations and making reviews more accessible to consumers. The inaugural Wine of the Year award launched in 1988, highlighting exceptional vintages and boosting the magazine's prestige, while circulation reached 76,000 that year. In 1993, the publication redefined its mission as a lifestyle magazine, incorporating features on dining, , and food pairings alongside wine content, which contributed to a circulation surge to 159,000 by 1995. The digital pivot began in 1996 with the launch of WineSpectator.com, providing online access to ratings and articles, marking an early adaptation to emerging technologies. Business growth accelerated through revenue diversification and strategic expansions. Advertising from wineries, restaurants, and related industries became a key pillar, complemented by income from events and partnerships that promoted wine culture. In 2010, M. Shanken Communications acquired Malt Advocate (later rebranded as Whisky Advocate), extending the company's into spirits and creating synergies with Wine Spectator's audience; this move, along with events like WhiskyFest, helped offset print challenges by tapping into adjacent markets. Under Shanken's editorial leadership, the magazine's circulation grew to approximately 400,000 by , with a global readership estimated at 3.5 million, reflecting sustained expansion amid shifting media landscapes. In recent years, Wine Spectator has adapted to digital and post-pandemic trends, enhancing multimedia offerings to engage younger audiences. The podcast, hosted by senior editor James Molesworth, debuted in 2022, featuring interviews with winemakers and news to deepen listener connections. Video content has proliferated through channels, annual video contests (now in its 19th year as of 2025), and on-site tastings, providing dynamic visuals of wine production and events. Coverage of sales surged post-2020, reflecting shifts in retail amid lockdowns, while the website's database of over 450,000 ratings supports on-demand access for subscribers. In 2025, the magazine announced its Top 10 Wines on November 14, with the full Top 100 list forthcoming on November 17. These efforts have sustained the magazine's relevance, with ongoing innovations like expanded online exclusives ensuring its role as a comprehensive wine resource into 2025.

Content and Ratings

Wine Review Process and Scoring

Wine Spectator's wine review process relies on a structured centered on blind tastings conducted by a dedicated team of editors and tasters. The publication reviews 10,000 to 12,000 wines annually, with evaluations performed by a panel of experienced tasters who assess wines without knowledge of their identity to ensure objectivity. This panel includes senior editors such as Bruce Sanderson (, ), James Molesworth (), and MaryAnn Worobiec (, ). It was historically led by senior editor Harvey Steiman until his retirement in 2019, after which leadership transitioned to other senior staff like James Molesworth and MaryAnn Worobiec. Tastings occur weekly at the publication's offices in and , focusing on global wines with particular emphasis on U.S. varietals and international selections sourced from producers, importers, and trade submissions. The core of the evaluation is the 100-point scoring , introduced in to standardize assessments and provide readers with a clear for quality. Scores range from 50 to 100, with finished wines receiving a single score based on tasting from ; the scale breaks down as follows: 95–100 denotes a "classic" wine of extraordinary complexity and concentration; 90–94 indicates an "outstanding" wine with superior character; 85–89 signifies a "very good" wine with special attributes; 80–84 represents a "good" wine that is solid and enjoyable; and scores below 80 are published less frequently but include mediocre or not recommended wines when relevant. Key factors in scoring encompass the wine's aroma and , profile, and , finish, overall harmony, and value relative to quality, with appearance also noted but secondary. To maintain integrity, Wine Spectator enforces a strict policy that insulates the tasting process from influences, ensuring reviews are independent of commercial pressures. Wines are presented in flights grouped by category, vintage, or region during controlled sessions that mimic professional standards, allowing tasters to compare and deliberate collaboratively. As of 2025, reviews increasingly incorporate notes on practices and impact, reflecting growing industry concerns, alongside traditional elements. Each published review provides detailed tasting notes describing sensory characteristics, recommended food pairings, aging potential, and price guidance to aid consumer decisions. The publication also maintains vintage charts offering long-term quality assessments for major regions, helping readers track performance across years.

Awards Programs

Wine Spectator's awards programs recognize excellence in winemaking and wine service, drawing from the magazine's extensive reviews and evaluations to highlight standout achievements in the industry. These awards, including the annual Top 100 Wines and the Restaurant Awards, are selected by the editorial team based on rigorous criteria that emphasize quality and accessibility, influencing consumer choices and professional standards worldwide. The Top 100 Wines list, launched in 1988, annually selects the most exciting wines from those reviewed in the previous 12 months, focusing on bottles that score at least 90 points on the magazine's 100-point scale. Editors evaluate thousands of candidates using four key criteria: , as determined by tasting notes and scores; , balancing with ; , ensuring the wines are reasonably accessible to consumers; and excitement, capturing or regional . The process involves senior editors surveying reviews and voting to narrow down to the top 100, culminating in a Top 10 reveal that spotlights diverse styles from around the world. For example, the 2025 Wine of the Year was the 2022 Château Giscours from , , praised for its , depth, and at around $60, highlighting Bordeaux's resurgence. The Restaurant Awards, introduced in , honor dining establishments for their commitment to wine programs, with more than 3,800 recipients in 2025 spanning all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries. The program features three tiers based on the depth, breadth, and quality of wine lists: the Award of Excellence for lists with at least 90 selections from quality producers that match the menu; the Best of Award of Excellence for more comprehensive collections of at least 350 wines, offering broad regional coverage or vertical depth with superior presentation; and the prestigious Grand Award for exceptional programs with 1,000 or more selections, including top producers, mature vintages, large formats, and dedicated . Evaluations prioritize accurate information on vintages, appellations, and pricing, alongside harmony with the and overall wine experience. In 2025, there were approximately 2,200 Award of Excellence winners, 1,550 Best of Award of Excellence recipients, and 97 Grand Award honorees, such as Soby's in , for its extensive list emphasizing Southern and international selections. Beyond these core programs, Wine Spectator offers additional recognitions, such as regional awards for U.S. restaurants and honors within the Grand Awards that spotlight expertise in service and education. Criteria for these emphasize in wine selections across regions and styles, staff knowledge to guide pairings, and educational elements like staff training on wine compatibility with dishes. The magazine's further profiles top professionals managing award-winning lists, fostering talent. For 2025, updates to the Restaurant Awards include a heightened focus on in nominations, celebrating inclusive wine programs that reflect global varieties and underrepresented producers. These awards significantly shape industry benchmarks by promoting high standards in and , providing credibility that attracts diners and boosts sales for recipients. The Restaurant Awards alone generate over $1 million annually through application fees, typically around $250 to $400 per entry, funding the evaluation process while requiring no influence from payments—awards are merit-based following editorial review of submitted lists. The selection process relies on the Wine Spectator team's expertise, with restaurants applying annually and lists assessed for completeness and excellence without any pay-for-play elements.

Events

New York Wine Experience

The New York Wine Experience is Wine Spectator's flagship annual event, originating as part of the broader Wine Experience series that began in 1981 with an inaugural tasting in organized by the Fairmont Hotel and local tourism officials, focusing initially on California wines. Wine Spectator assumed control in 1982, expanding the scope to include global wines, seminars, and charitable elements, with the New York edition emerging in the early as a key iteration at venues like . By 2013, the event had become so popular in —drawing over 2,000 attendees to the Grand Tasting—that organizers announced it would remain there permanently, solidifying its status as the world's premier fine-wine gathering. The format has evolved from early one-day tastings into a three-day held each at the in , featuring walk-around Grand Tastings where more than 200 wineries pour exceptional wines rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator editors, alongside seated seminars with winemakers and experts, luncheons paired with celebrity chefs, and interactive presentations. Special elements include a collectors' Magnum Party for sharing rare large-format bottles and a live of donated wines, with all net proceeds benefiting the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, which has raised over $40 million since 1982. The 2025 edition, the 44th annual, embodied the theme "Creating Wine Memories Together," uniting attendees through shared stories of wine's personal and generational significance during two evenings of Grand Tastings showcasing 265 wines from over 265 vintners, plus daytime seminars and chef-driven meals. Attendance has grown substantially, with events routinely selling out and attracting more than 4,000 wine enthusiasts, collectors, sommeliers, and industry professionals from around the world, supported by partnerships with luxury brands and tickets starting at $420 for Grand Tastings, up to $2,695 for full weekend VIP packages including early access and exclusive gifts. Post-pandemic, the 2022 event marked a full in-person return after restrictions, emphasizing reconnection among global wine communities without hybrid elements in subsequent years. Historical highlights include the resilient 2001 edition held weeks after , which drew the international wine community to for solace and celebration; the 2023 gathering of 339 top-rated wines fostering innovations and friendships among winemakers; and the 2024 focus on generational legacies with 348 wines shared across family-owned estates. These iterations underscore the event's role in highlighting award-winning wines while building lasting connections in the wine world.

Grand Tours and Partnerships

Wine Spectator's Grand Tour series, launched in 2003, features multi-city wine tastings across the United States, showcasing over 200 wines rated 90 points or higher by the magazine's editors from premier global regions. The events emphasize accessibility beyond major coastal hubs, with stops in emerging markets such as the Midwest; for instance, the 2024 itinerary included New Orleans on April 26, Las Vegas on May 4, and Denver on May 11, drawing hundreds of attendees per city for walk-around tastings of 235 selections. The 2025 edition expanded to Chicago on April 26, Washington, D.C., on May 2, and Las Vegas on May 10, maintaining the format of evening sessions from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. that often incorporate educational seminars and paired dinners to enhance regional outreach. Complementing the Grand Tour, Wine Spectator hosts other traveling events like the Bring Your Own Magnum Party, an annual gathering since 1988 that encourages industry leaders and enthusiasts to share rare large-format bottles, often paired with gourmet fare. The event, held as an unofficial kickoff to Auction Napa Valley, was paused for five years due to the pandemic but relaunched on June 4, 2025, in Napa and Sonoma counties, attracting nearly 500 professionals for tastings and networking. Historically, the magazine also organized the Experience annually since the , a multi-day affair in featuring grand tastings of nearly 200 top U.S. wines, seminars with winemakers, and attendance exceeding 1,800 per evening in its later years. The event has not been held in recent years, though Wine Spectator maintains its commitment to West Coast-focused celebrations through initiatives like the Bring Your Own Magnum Party that blend education and celebration. Key partnerships extend the magazine's reach through co-sponsored festivals and international collaborations, fostering ties with diverse audiences and regions. Since 2023, Wine Spectator has partnered with the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, curating wines rated 90 points or higher for its four-day program of dinners, tastings, and a grand event that draws thousands to each December. Internationally, the longstanding alliance with Vinitaly has produced OperaWine since 2012, an annual tasting in , , on the eve of the fair; the 2025 edition on April 5 highlighted 131 top Italian producers pouring benchmark wines to over 2,000 global attendees, reflecting the magazine's response to growing international readership. Collectively, these traveling events and partnerships engage more than 10,000 participants annually, promoting wine education in underserved areas like the Midwest while incorporating virtual elements—such as online seminars—introduced in to broaden access during the disruptions. Many initiatives tie into , with proceeds from select gatherings supporting causes like children's literacy programs in Sonoma County.

Philanthropy

Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation

The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation was established in 1982 by , editor and publisher of Wine Spectator, with an initial focus on providing scholarships to students pursuing studies in enology, , and related wine fields. The foundation serves as the primary philanthropic arm of Wine Spectator, dedicated to advancing in the wine and industries through targeted support for aspiring professionals. In its operations, the foundation administers grants and scholarships to universities, community colleges, and individual students across the , emphasizing programs that build skills in wine production, service, and business. As of October 2025, it had raised over $40 million in total funding to support these initiatives. Selection criteria prioritize academic merit, financial need, and , with a particular commitment to underrepresented groups in the wine industry, including women and minorities. The foundation focuses on U.S.-based educational programs to foster talent in domestic wine and sectors. Funding for the foundation comes primarily from the net proceeds of Wine Spectator's annual Wine Experience, with 100% of these proceeds allocated to its programs. Additional resources are generated through wine auctions, direct donations, and contributions from event participants and vintners. Key programs include annual scholarships for students in wine-related degree and certificate programs, typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per award to cover tuition and related expenses. The foundation also partners with community colleges and universities to provide entry-level training, such as facility expansions and hands-on labs for and enology courses; notable examples include collaborations with Napa Valley College and . Governance of the foundation is overseen by a board led by the Shanken family, with Marvin R. Shanken serving as a key leader since its inception. It operates as a 501(c)(3) under IRS regulations, ensuring tax-exempt status for its educational activities. Annual reports and financial details are available through public IRS filings, accessible via platforms like GuideStar.

Key Donations and Initiatives

The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation has made several landmark contributions to wine education, focusing on infrastructure and programs that enhance accessibility and diversity in the industry. One of its largest gifts was a $10 million announced in 2021 to Napa Valley College, funding the construction of the Wine Spectator Wine Education Center, a state-of-the-art facility for the college's , Wine and Technology program; phase one of the center opened in September 2025, providing expanded teaching spaces and laboratories to train future winemakers and industry professionals. Earlier major pledges include a $3 million commitment in 2014 to Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute, which supported the building of the Wine Spectator Learning Center to advance research and education in wine business management. In 2017, the foundation pledged $1 million to Washington State University's Viticulture and Enology Program, aiding the completion of new facilities and providing scholarships for students pursuing careers in enology and vineyard management. The foundation has also prioritized initiatives for underrepresented communities, such as a donation in 2021 to the Glancy Wine Education Foundation, which funds scholarships for minority and economically disadvantaged individuals seeking wine and hospitality education to promote diversity in the field. Overall, since its founding in 1982, the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation has raised more than $40 million to support such educational efforts, benefiting institutions and students including those from and backgrounds in and enology.

Criticism

Restaurant Awards Controversy

In 2008, author and wine critic Robin Goldstein orchestrated a hoax by inventing a fictitious Italian restaurant called Osteria d'Italia in Milan, Italy, complete with a fabricated website, voicemail system, customer reviews, and a wine list of 424 selections—many featuring vintages that Wine Spectator had previously rated poorly. Goldstein submitted the application to the magazine's annual Restaurant Awards program, paying the required $250 fee along with the fake menu and wine list, and the establishment was granted an Award of Excellence, one of the program's mid-tier honors recognizing notable wine selections, as published in the August 2008 issue. Goldstein publicly exposed the deception on August 16, 2008, during a presentation at the American Association of Wine Economists conference in , where he detailed how the award was obtained without any site visit, phone verification beyond an initial advertising call, or scrutiny of the restaurant's existence. The revelation, covered in outlets including the , underscored significant flaws in the application process at the time, which relied primarily on self-submitted documents without mandatory on-site inspections for the Award of Excellence level. Wine Spectator promptly retracted the award and issued a statement from executive editor Thomas Matthews labeling the stunt an "elaborate " and "publicity-seeking ," while defending the program's focus on evaluating wine lists for depth, balance, and value rather than operations. In the aftermath, the enhanced its procedures by requiring more comprehensive digital submissions of wine lists and menus, raising application fees to a range of $350 to $1,200 based on award category and renewal status, and introducing random audits of recipients beginning in to ensure ongoing compliance. In the late , the program drew over $1 million in annual revenue from thousands of applicants worldwide; as of 2025, it awarded more than 3,800 s. The incident prompted broader internal policy reinforcements to rebuild credibility, though no legal action ensued.

Influence and Bias Debates

Wine Spectator's 100-point scoring system has faced for exerting considerable on wine prices, with empirical studies demonstrating a strong between higher ratings and increased . For instance, of over 13,000 wines worldwide found that each additional point on the 100-point scale corresponds to an average 8% price increase, potentially leading to 20–50% value gains for wines receiving notably high scores. Similarly, on U.S. wines indicated that a one-point rise in Wine Spectator ratings results in approximately a 7% price premium. This dynamic has amplified the publication's dominance in the U.S. , where critics' evaluations hold substantial sway over decisions and trends. Allegations of bias have centered on potential favoritism toward advertisers and established producers. A 2009 study analyzing Wine Spectator reviews suggested that wines from advertisers receive about one point higher scores on average than those from non-advertisers, prompting questions about editorial impartiality despite the publication's blind-tasting protocols. Critics have also pointed to underrepresentation of emerging categories like natural wines, though specific 2024 analyses in industry publications highlighted broader gaps in coverage rather than direct condemnation. Diversity concerns have highlighted Wine Spectator's historically slow adoption of inclusive coverage, reflecting wider industry challenges in amplifying voices from underrepresented groups. While the publication has featured BIPOC winemakers and professionals in articles since at least 2020, 2025 coverage amid DEI backlash emphasized ongoing efforts, such as profiles of young Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the field. Critics within the sector have noted that such initiatives, while progressive, sometimes appear reactive to external pressures rather than transformative. In 2023, Wine Spectator faced a from a former wine taster alleging age discrimination and claiming that reviewers altered scores after tastings, raising questions about the integrity of its evaluation process. The case, filed in , highlighted internal practices and was ongoing as of 2025, further fueling debates on bias and objectivity. Additional debates include the restricting access to digital ratings and reviews, which some argue disadvantages casual consumers and smaller stakeholders seeking guidance. Environmental critiques have questioned the promotion of high-scoring wines that often feature elevated alcohol levels, potentially exacerbating climate-related concerns in amid warming trends. In defense, Wine Spectator upholds strict policies, including mandatory blind tastings for all new wine reviews to minimize and ensure evaluations are based solely on sensory merit. The publication has issued statements on its processes since the early 2010s, emphasizing . Blind-tasting protocols remain a core commitment as of 2025.

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