Michelin acquires share in Robert Parker Wine Advocate

With the signing of a contract, and possibly the clinking of glasses, Michelin sealed its acquisition of a 40 per cent stake in Robert Parker Wine Advocate and RobertParker.com, the world’s most widely read independent consumers’ guide to fine wine. The tyre maker views this equity investment as a measure that strengthens and broadens its “experience in the area of gourmet dining.”

Founded by the American Robert M. Parker in 1978, Robert Parker Wine Advocate is the international authority on wine. The power of the ratings given to fine wines are based on the noses and palates of the passionate wine critic and his team of experts, but also on a methodology that is unique in this field. Robert Parker’s affirmed independence with regard to wine producers and the wine trade is the key to producing unbiased, credible reviews. Following professionally conducted peer group tastings, each wine receives not only a descriptive tasting note, but a qualitative score ranging between 50 and 100 points. Thanks to this rigorous system, Robert Parker Wine Advocate has over many years acquired an international reputation that remains solidly anchored and trusted by wine collectors all over the world. Today, the wine publication produces nearly 40,000 wine reviews annually.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate, has offices in Singapore and the USA. The RobertParker.com website includes online archives of every Issue of The Wine Advocate dating back to 1992, consisting of more than 300,000 original tasting notes. RPWA has recently developed a special events platform that enables the public to experience fine wine together with gourmet dining.

Since 2016, Robert Parker Wine Advocate and Michelin have joined forces in Singapore and Hong Kong-Macau to offer unique dining experiences based on pairing fine cuisine and wine. Michelin states that these events, which offer consumers the chance to experience a selection of dishes prepared by the Michelin guide’s “starred” chefs and compatible wines recommended by Robert Parker Wine Advocate’s experts, have been highly successful.

“Working with the Michelin guide on events in Singapore and Hong Kong-Macau demonstrated to both of our companies how much richer and more impactful the experiences we create for our loyal readers can be when we come together,” comments Robert Parker Wine Advocate’s editor-in-chief and master of wine, Lisa Perrotti-Brown. “The similarities between our core values, integrity and rigor as critics within the worlds of wine and food were striking. It very soon became apparent that merging to create a sum that is even better than our parts would be an incredible means of offering fine food and wine lovers around the world even more.”

Founder Robert Parker also expressed his pleasure over a union between the two most independent sources for fine cuisine and wine, and the possibilities it creates: “Far too long critics have divided wine and food into two separate areas of expertise, but now the most realistic blend of impartial, independent, unbiased, intelligent food and wine opinion and wisdom have been married for the benefit of both wine and food consumers.”

According to Alexandre Taisne, chief executive officer of Michelin’s Food and Travel Business, the partnership will initially focus on the Asia and North America markets prior to a further rollout in Europe and other regions. “We look forward to leveraging our strong relationship to develop even broader offerings for our customers,” Taisne comments.