HOW MUCH DOES AN EXPERT OPINION COUNT? A LOT, WHEN CHOOSING A FINE WINE, REVEALS THE UK PORTAL “WINE OWNERS” SURVEY. ROBERT PARKER IS FIRST, THEN JANCIS ROBINSON AND NEAL MARTIN

We have often described the many factors that contribute to purchasing a bottle of wine. But, when it comes to fine wines, and high tier bottles, the opinion of an expert is the most important one. Who are the most influential wine writers, according to consumers? The UK portal dedicated to collectors and wine professionals, "Wine Owners" (www.wineowners.com), teamed up with the home winery designer "Spiral Cellars" (www.spiralcellars.co.uk) and the market research provider “Effective Research" (www.effective-research.com), and asked 244 wine lovers directly through a detailed questionnaire.
First, the web and of course the media: 45.9% of respondents said they research free access online wine sites, while 41% choose pay sites of the most famous wine critics. 44.1% of British wine lovers, however, still trust the recommendations of various wine merchants, while 37.8% believe blindly in friends’ advice, 32% newspapers or magazines only and 29.3% listen to their trusted wine merchant.
The "winner", as might be expected, is once again Robert Parker, indicated by 56% of wine lovers, while on his heels and this is a surprise, Jancis Robinson, at 49%, and in third place Parker’s successor in Bordeaux, Neal Martin (29%). "Vinous Media", Antonio Galloni’s creature, did well at (26%) and put Stephen Tanzer in the rankings (17% of wine lovers). Then, the journal "Burghound" (Allen Meadows) also did well at 22%, just ahead of Tim Atkin (20%).