Poll: Do You Heed The Talkers?

Lenn's post on the Wine Advocate (Robert Parker's publication) review of Long Island wines got me thinking about the whole wine review racket.  Most consumers read these reviews as little bits of paper called, "shelf-talkers" taped below a bottle in their local wine shop.  Usually, shelf-talkers display a bold number (e.g. 92, 88, 91) followed by a blurb from the reviewer's tasting note. 

I have strong opinions on the positive/negative aspects of these little doo-hickeys.  However, I want to get your opinion.  So take the poll and tell me what you think of the shelf-talker.

Web Polls by Vizu

See results here.

Now go take the Catavino survey.

Comments

[Ryan Opaz]

Beau unless I've got a glitch in my browser. Your poll leads to a poll about democrats taking back congress? Might check it out! Otherwise I'd love to participate.

[Ryan Opaz]

oops, I figured it out, I had a blocker keeping it from showing...sorry!

[Andrew]

We have shelf-barkers in the UK but generally they are tasting notes written by the shop staff - personal notes usually and not ones taken from printed publications (although they do sometimes appear). Seldom do points get included; in fact the only time I have seen them is on decent Bordeaux and then only Parkers.

In the larger chains they will use Head Office produced barkers rather than personal recommendations.

[beau]

Andrew,
Yest I think points are a very american way of looking at wine. Were I a wine shop owner with a nefarious streak, I would gin up a few 90-point shelf-talkers for my wines that weren't selling well from faux publications such as "Wine Week," "Vino Gazette-o" and "Ye Olde Grog Bible."

[Alison]

Allan noticed that your photo of the wine talker has the Liquor Barn logo on it. Fess up: you've been to Kentucky, haven't you? ;-)

[beau]

Oh I'm a big -barn fan from way back. In 2002, I jumped all over the cross promotion at the Dress Barn and Liquor Barn wherein one bought two skirts for $20 and got a bottle of White Zin for $4...yeehaaaaaw!