Robert Parker was a retired American wine critic who was widely regarded as the most influential wine critic in the world. His wine ratings on a 100-point scale and his newsletter The Wine Advocate were major factors in setting the prices for newly released wines, especially from Bordeaux. He also published several books on wine, such as The World’s Greatest Wine Estates and Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide. He was awarded the Chevalier de L’Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur by France and the Gran Cruz de Orden Civil by Spain for his contributions to the wine industry
Early Life and Career
Parker was born on July 23, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a major in history and a minor in art history. He then earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. He worked as a lawyer for the Farm Credit Banks of Baltimore until 1984, when he decided to focus on writing about wine full-time
Parker developed his interest in wine as a student visiting Alsace, where his wife Patricia was studying. He began writing a wine guidebook in 1975, inspired by consumer advocate Ralph Nader. He wanted to write about wine without any conflicts of interest or influence from the wine industry. In 1978, he launched his direct-mail newsletter The Baltimore-Washington Wine Advocate, which was later renamed The Wine Advocate.
Parker gained worldwide attention when he praised the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux, contrary to the opinions of many other critics who felt it was too ripe and low-acid. His ratings boosted the demand and prices of the 1982 Bordeaux wines, and established his reputation as a leading authority on wine quality. He also championed wines from other regions, such as California, Australia, Spain, Italy, and Chile. He was known for his preference for rich, powerful, and concentrated wines that expressed their terroir and varietal character
Illness and Death
Parker suffered from several health problems in his later years. He had back surgery in 2003, which affected his mobility and ability to travel. He also had a benign tumor removed from his vocal cords in 2006, which temporarily impaired his sense of taste and smell. He recovered from these surgeries and continued to taste and review wines until his retirement in 2019
Parker died on January 7, 2021, at the age of 73. His cause of death was not disclosed by his family or colleagues, but it was reported that he had been ill for some time before his passing. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Robert Jr., his daughter Maia, and his grandchildren. His death was mourned by many wine lovers and professionals around the world, who expressed their gratitude and admiration for his work and legacy
Conclusion
Robert Parker was a legendary wine critic who revolutionized the wine industry with his ratings, reviews, and publications. He was respected for his independence, integrity, and expertise on wine quality and style. He influenced the tastes and choices of millions of wine consumers and producers across the globe. His death marked the end of an era in the world of wine criticism.
