Definition: parker

He became known in particular for his wine guides, in which he comments on his tastings.

His detractors argue that he contributes to the global standardisation of wine, known as Parkerisation, by imposing his quality criteria, such as the almost systematic use of new barrels to give wines a vanilla flavour, or micro-oxygenation to round off tannins more quickly. His influence is such that it can lead (and has led) some producers to modify their production style, going beyond the natural expressions of the regions, traditional practices and even legal requirements. Indeed, a good rating in Robert Parker's guide will almost always result in the entire stock being sold at a higher price, particularly to American consumers.

He appears in Mondovino, a documentary by American director Jonathan Nossiter, where he is presented as the critic with the most influence on today's globalised taste in wine.

Awards:

Robert Parker was awarded the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Légion d'honneur by French President Jacques Chirac on 22 June 1999. On 14 July 2005, Jacques Chirac awarded Parker the title of Officier de la Légion d'honneur.

Robert Parker had already been awarded the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite in 1993, under the presidency of François Mitterrand.

In 2002, Parker was also made a Commendatore of the Italian National Order of Merit by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

He is the first wine critic to have received these distinctions in both countries.

See his website at the following link: