Part of life is to live it, and enjoy it, and seize the moments that you find particularly pleasing. Robert M. Parker, Jr. More Quotes by Robert M. Parker, Jr. More Quotes From Robert M. Parker, Jr. The best Chateauneuf-du-Papes are among the most natural expressions of grapes, place and vintage. Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards are farmed organically or biodynamically, and the region's abundant sunshine and frequent wind (called 'le mistral') practically preclude the need for treating the fields with herbicides or pesticides. Robert M. Parker, Jr. best vintage sunshine wind The primary requisite for writing well about food is a good appetite. Robert M. Parker, Jr. well good writing food When I put my nose in a glass, it's like tunnel vision. I move into another world, where everything around me is just gone, and every bit of mental energy is focused on that wine. Robert M. Parker, Jr. me vision wine world I always said your best palate is your own, not mine. I'm a guidepost. Robert M. Parker, Jr. your own best always In the wine world, crusaders would have wine consumers believe that the only wines of merit are something completely indefinable but which they call 'authentic' or 'natural.' Robert M. Parker, Jr. something wine believe world The advantage we have as Americans is that we can be fair; we tend to be more open-minded about different styles of wine. Robert M. Parker, Jr. open-minded more different wine Wine writers have been around for almost as long as there has been wine, but in the past, generally speaking, most wine writing was uncritical and emphasized wine as a romantic, historic beverage. Criticism and comparative tastings were eschewed for fear of offending the trade, which most writers depended upon for survival. Robert M. Parker, Jr. fear romantic long past When I began visiting Bordeaux in 1979, only a handful of writers were there to taste the wines in the spring (and nearly all were British). Robert M. Parker, Jr. only british taste spring At 66 years of age, I feel about 20. Robert M. Parker, Jr. about feel age years When I started in 1978, the greatest wine in Spain, Vega Sicilia, wasn't even imported to the United States. The alleged greatest Australian wine, Penfolds Grange, wasn't imported to the United States. There were no by-the-glass programs. Sommeliers were intimidating. Robert M. Parker, Jr. greatest started spain wine