Wine Critics Robert Parker, Andrea Immer Robinson, Jancis Robinson, and Gary Vaynerchuk hanging out at the (controversial) Playmobil Wine Bar (photo courtesy of De Long's Wine Info, www.delongwine.com)

PORTLAND, OR – After years of controversy surrounding various wine rating systems, www.portlandoregonwine.com unveiled a new system that factors in value and price as well as quality. Co-founder Bernard Gehret: “(Robert) Parker’s 100 point scale has always been rife with controversy for a reason, it’s not “blind”, and doesn’t factor in price or value. Jancis’s (Robinson) is a 20 point scale, and really, WTF is a 20 point scale? Our system factors in the necessary QPR (Quality-Price-Relationship) as well as an overall 100 point rating.”

What is a “QPR” Wine? Simple, according to Gehret: “It’s a wine that tastes more expensive than it actually costs.” According to this system, an example is the new Haden Fig 2008 Pinot Noir which sells for $18. “The Haden Fig tastes like a $30 wine, but it only costs $18, so that’s a QPR rating of +$12. That’s the kind of wine we’re looking for.”

The new system combines the QPR Rating with the (now) universal 100 point scale. The first number in the rating is the 100 point rating, and the second number is the QPR rating based on subjective perception of cost and value. Going back to the Haden Fig Pinot Noir, it’s rating would be “89-90/+12″.

“We’re looking for the best overall combination of score and QPR rating, and we love the wines that are the cheapest, have good quality, and are a good value for the money”. Gehret also comments on critics of the subjective system: “Of course it’s all based on each individuals’ perception of value, and it’s impossible to measure that, but hey, it’s better than one man deciding what we should all drink isn’t it?”

Based on an extensive statistical analysis, scored wines rated in one of four quadrants or categories: Good Score/Bad QPR, Bad Score/Bad QPR, Bad Score/Good QPR, and Good Score/Good QPR. This is represented by:

The best "QPR" wines are in the upper left corner

Examples of four rated wines outlined here:

4 different wines are represtented on the chart

The “Most Desirable” Wines in the NE Quadrant is what we are looking for- wines that have good quality ratings combined with excellent value.

The “Trophy Wines” (NW Quadrant) may actually taste great, but because of their typically higher price point they are not considered good value.

SW Quadrant “Avoid!” Wines are both low scoring on quality and on QPR

Finally, the SE Quadrant “Acceptable” may not be very expensive or highly rated but are drinkable without breaking the bank.

The founders of Portlandoregonwine.com, Bernard and Eva, are consistantly focused on finding good QPR wines for their readers:  “We love sharing our ‘finds’ with everyone, and feel a responsibility to have 100% integrity in rating the wines.”

An alternative to the 100 point rating system...

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