Is Premier Cru Wine Just A Con?

French journalist Isabelle Saporta claims wine critics are regularly bribed by wealthy chateau-owners who own some of the most prestigious vineyards in the area 

Is Premier Cru Wine All Just A Con? How Car Parks And Bribes Influence Grand Cru Classifications -- Daily Mail 

 * Wines from the region are classified to guide quality and price
 * French journalist Isabelle Saporta claims wine critics are regularly bribed
 * She also says the size of visitor car parks, comfort of conference rooms and architecture of the storehouse contribute to the criteria

Car parks and bribes influence the classification of wines in the Bordeaux region of southwest France according to a new book published today which promises to reveal the secrets of the country's wine production.

Wines from the region are classified to guide quality and price - the four best are known as premier grands crus classés A, the next 18 as premiers grands crus classés B and the next 64 as grands crus classés.

But French journalist, Isabelle Saporta, claims wine critics are regularly bribed by wealthy vineyard owners.

Read more ....

My Comment: I suspect not only is cash given .... but also cases and cases of free wine to influence their evaluations.