Power List 2009: Parker gives way to Constellation
June 1, 2009 By Adam Lechmere
Robert Parker has fallen from the top of the Decanter Power List, ceding pole position to the head of the world's biggest wine company.
Richard Sands, 58-year-old chairman of Costellation Brands, heads the bi-annual listing of the most powerful figures in the wine world.
Parker, number one in 2007, drops one place amid 'signs [that his] omnipotence is waning ever so slightly', as his entry says in the July issue of Decanter.
The reasons for this are two-fold, the magazine suggests. Outside the US, there is less and less interest in the 'big, ripe, high-alcohol wines' Parker favours, and in his homeland he is facing increased competition, and 'sharp criticism over the perceived questionable ethics' of two of his contributors – as reported in the Wall Street Journal last week.
There is no doubt, however, that the Maryland-based critic 'can still move markets,' Decanter continues, citing rocketing Bordeaux prices after his verdicts on the 2008 vintage were published.
Sands finds himself in pole position, which he occupied in 2005, before sliding to third in 07. Constellation makes one in eight bottles sold in the UK, and as wine companies face 'huge challenges', it is companies like 'the world's biggest' that will dictate what sort of wine the average consumer will be drinking.
Constellation's 'increased emphasis on the premium brands,' Decanter says,'suggests a genuine bid to lead consumers towards quality over quantity.'
The top ten includes three new entries – teetotal French premier Nicolas Sarkozy, Jean-Christophe Deslarzes of screwcap manufacturers Alcan, and Pernod Ricard chief Pierre Pringuet.
Other new entries include The Wine Library's ebullient video blogger Gary Vaynerchuk, Sanjay Menon of Sonary's, one of India's biggest wine retailers, and Shin and Yoko Kibayashi, the team behind Japan's cult Manga comic, The Drops of God.
And old favourites remain. Michel Rolland slips nine places to no 17, Bernard Magrez falls to no 29, while Annette Alvarez-Peters of Costco climbs to no 5, and Jancis Robinson to no 8. Decanter's own Steven Spurrier moves from 16 to 15.
A new feature this year – 'Ones to Watch' – offers mini-profiles of figures who are becoming increasingly influential, such as Korea's first Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee, and Sylvie Cazes, the recently appointed head of the Bordeaux Union des Grands Crus.
Decanter editor Guy Woodward said, 'This year's Power List comes at a pivotal time for the wine world and there are some really interesting moves. Arguably the most striking aspects are the increased prominence of political figures and the burgeoning influence of the Far East.'
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I am a Chinese living in Hong Kong and a wine lover, especially red. I spent about GBP8,000 annualy buying wines and I take Robert Parker's scores seriouly. So far I am quite satisfied that I like what he likes. For a particular wine I drank, I would also compare his scores and comments with those by Decanter, Wine Spectator, Jancis Robinson, James Suckling, Farr Vintners, BBR etc. I must say that RP's taste suits the Chinese palate best and I will continue relying on his recommendations for now.
T. Ling, Hong Kong, China
I actually think that it is almost dangerous that one person could have such an influence on the industry such as Parker. I have tasted some of the wines he has reviewed and would probably only agree with 50% of his scores. I should point out that I am an 'Aussie' an actually accustomed to the so called 'fruit bomb'. This however doesn't mean that I enjoy other styles as I certainly do appreciate elegance and even more so 'balance'. It is very good to see Parker sliding down the list as I feel that the wine world and definitely the winemakers (more importantly) can pay more attention to some excellent alternatives.
Andrew, Brisbane, Australia
Perhaps these movers should start considering the ethics of some wine
growers before they laud their product. Parker's favorite Brunello di
Montalcino, Pertimali Livio Sassetti, is run by individuals who have
appropriated the wine from vineyards they do not own and made it their
own. These people should not be encouraged in any way.
Ludmilla Temertey
I too am glad to see RP fall on the list. Too many wineries, especially in California are using additives to achieve high scores, I really wished DECANTER would do some research and articles about these horrifying additives; people would stand up and take notice, here in the US we are leaning towards fresh safely produced food for our table, but few people know about how scary some of their wines are that they are drinking with sustainable/organically produced foods.
Neil Barham, USA
Congratulations to Don St. Pierre, Jr., of ASC Fine Wines in China!
A tremendous accomplishment.
Adam Steinberg, Shanghai
A POWER-LIST SHOULD BE ABT PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE, WHO REALLY
ARE TRUE TO ONE COUNTRY'S WINES ???. THIS REQUIRE RESEARCH AND
DEEP STUDY.
IT TAKE YEARS AND YEARS OF TIME.
WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING ABT THAT COUNTRY.
HISTORY, CLIMATE, PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OF THE WINES
FROM HUGE VARIETIES OF GRAPES AND THEN TASTE THEM FOR YEARS.
NO ONE POWERFUL PERSON, CAN KNOW IN REAL DEPTH, MORE THAN
ONE COUNTRY'S WINES IN HIS LIFE OR HER LIFE TIME.
TO TRUST THE WORLD'S TASTE FROM RUSSIA, TO INDIA TO CHINA AND
JAPAN TO AMERICA TO ONE HUMAN BEING, IT IS NOT ONLY A ILLUSION
BUT A REAL LIE AND A BIG ONE AT THAT.
MAY I ASK ,IS YR POWER-LIST ABT POWER-LIST OF THE GENERALISTS OF WINES ???.
PLS ASK YOURSELVES ,THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
WHY SHOULD, I PAY MY HARD EARNED MONEY FOR SOMEONE'S ELSE TASTE.
I CAN MAKE MISTAKES ON MY OWN. AFTER ALL, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WINES,
I BUY.
Tara Tan Kitaoka, Japan
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