Robert Parker, one of the most recognized and respected wine critics, began rating wines in 1978 and publishing his assessments in The Wine Advocate - his bi-monthly independent wine consumers guide. The initial subscriber list of less than 600 has now grown to more than 50,000. The Wine Advocate is now believed to have the most significant influence on the buying habits and trends of serious wine consumers.

Parker's rating system — or "points" — are based on a quality scale from 50 to 100. The scale below can also be found on Parker's Web site (erobertparker.com).

96-100: An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume.

90-95: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character.

80-89: A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character with no noticeable flaws.

70-79: An average wine with little distinction except that it is soundly made.

60-69: A below average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavor, or possibly dirty aromas or flavors.

50-59: A wine deemed to be unacceptable.

On the shelves at wine shops and in the menus of restaurants where you'll find his points are displayed, Parker's influence on the wine industry is clearly visible. As a rule, wine retailers use Parker's ratings as an effective sales tool. "With the vast number of wines available, there are only so many wines a person will have the opportunity to taste. For this reason, seemingly 99.9 percent of the public look to Parker for advice," says Dennis Moosbrugger, co-owner of Bar Divani. In order to succeed, you must compare your palate to Parker's — not accept his as your own. You can take advantage of the points Parker provides by determining how they rank against your own. Just because Parker likes a wine doesn't mean that you will. This is a game where individuality points count. Robert Parker is masterful when it comes to describing wine. Here, the challenge and enjoyment comes in defining wine in words of your own. Chances are that if you know both your own palate and Parker's as well, you'll win with enjoyable wine purchases.