From Bordeaux to Singapore

Robert Parker started the Wine Advocate in 1978 and he's been the editor-in-chief ever since. But that and a slew of other changes are set to transform the 34-year-old publication.

Parker is signing over his editorial duties to Singapore correspondent Lisa Perrotti-Brown. This came from Parker's decision to sell a "substantial interest" in the publication to a group of Singapore-based investors. "The Asian market has come of age in the last decade or so," Parker told the Wall Street Journal, "and it would be unrealistic not to expect to be part of it." The publication will also phase out printed copies, which may be entirely gone by the end of next year. One of the most notable changes to fill the Wine Advocate's (web)pages in the ensuing months will be advertisements, something the publication was vehemently against when it was founded.

Early on in Parker's career, he predicted the superior quality of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. Decades later, his prediction continues to affect consumer trends. So too does the 100-point scale used within TWA to score wines, though it's become a controversial topic of late, as none of the reviews garner unanimous opinions from readers and Parker's palate seems guided by an ambiguous agenda. Parker's influence as a wine critic is undeniable, but this move is nothing short of questionable. [WSJ] [Reuters]