How We Score Wines at Wine Insights

Hey there, fellow wine lovers! If you’ve been following Wine Insights, you’ve probably noticed that we score the wines we review. But what exactly goes into that score? I’m here to break it down for you in a way that’s simple and easy to understand. So grab a glass of your favorite vino, and let’s dive in!

The Basics: Scoring from 50 to 100 Points

First things first—every wine we review starts with a base score of 50 points. From there, we add points based on four key aspects of the wine: Appearance, Aroma, Flavor, and Overall Quality. By the end, we have a final score that reflects how much we enjoyed the wine.

1. Appearance (0-5 Points)

We eat with our eyes first, right? Well, the same goes for wine. The first thing we look at is how the wine looks in the glass. Is it clear and bright, or does it look a little murky? Here’s how we score it:

• 5 Points: The wine is crystal clear and has a vibrant color.

• 4 Points: Still looking good, but maybe not as dazzling.

• 3 Points: There might be a slight haze or dullness, but nothing too concerning.

• 2 Points: Starting to see some cloudiness or off-colors.

• 1 Point: Definitely not looking great—cloudy or dull.

• 0 Points: Major issues, like floating particles or serious cloudiness.

2. Aroma (0-15 Points)

Next up, we take a good sniff. The aroma tells us a lot about the wine, like what fruits, spices, or earthy notes we might taste. A great aroma can be complex and evolving, while a not-so-great one might have some funky, off-putting smells.

• 15 Points: Wow! The aroma is complex, intense, and super inviting.

• 12-14 Points: Really nice, with good balance and no off-smells.

• 9-11 Points: Pleasant, but maybe a bit simple or with minor flaws.

• 6-8 Points: Muted or unbalanced aromas—something’s a little off.

• 3-5 Points: Faint or dominated by less-than-pleasant notes.

• 0-2 Points: Yikes, this is not smelling good at all.

3. Flavor (0-20 Points)

Now for the fun part—tasting! The flavor is where we really get to know the wine. We’re looking for a good balance of flavors, like fruit, spice, and acidity, and how long the flavor lasts after you swallow.

• 20 Points: Absolutely delicious with a perfect balance. The flavors are complex and linger beautifully.

• 17-19 Points: Really tasty with just a few minor things that could be better.

• 14-16 Points: Good, but maybe not as complex or balanced as it could be.

• 11-13 Points: It’s okay, but there are some noticeable flaws or it’s a bit one-dimensional.

• 7-10 Points: Something’s off here—either the flavors don’t work together, or there’s just not much going on.

• 0-6 Points: Hard to drink, with serious flaws or unpleasant flavors.

4. Overall Quality (0-10 Points)

Finally, we take a step back and think about the wine as a whole. Did we enjoy it? Was it well-made? This is where we sum up our overall impression.

• 10 Points: Exceptional! This wine is a winner in every way.

• 8-9 Points: High quality, but with a few small things that keep it from being perfect.

• 6-7 Points: Good, but not great. There are some noticeable issues.

• 4-5 Points: It’s okay, but nothing to write home about.

• 2-3 Points: Not very good—there are some major flaws.

• 0-1 Points: Unfortunately, this wine is just not enjoyable.

Putting It All Together

So, after we score each of these categories, we add everything up. The final score will be between 50 and 100 points. Here’s a quick guide to what those scores mean:

• 95-100 Points: Outstanding, exceptional wine with remarkable complexity, balance, and character.

• 90-94 Points: Excellent wine with high quality and minor flaws.

• 85-89 Points: Very good wine, well-made with a few imperfections.

• 80-84 Points: Good wine, enjoyable but with noticeable flaws.

• 75-79 Points: Fair wine, drinkable but lacking in several areas.

• 70-74 Points: Below average wine, with significant issues.

• 65-69 Points: Poor wine, with major flaws, barely drinkable.

• 50-64 Points: Very poor wine, undrinkable, or seriously flawed.

And there you have it! That’s how we score wines here at Wine Insights. We hope this gives you a better idea of what goes into our reviews and helps you pick out some great bottles to enjoy.