Just mention the name, Robert Parker, and most people in the wine world, seem to have an opinion -both good and bad.

 When offered the opportunity to attend a tasting lead by Parker at Wine Future Hong Kong, I jumped at the chance. While he is primarily regarded as a wine critic, in being so, he is also inspirational as a communicator and educator.

 At this tasting labeled, “Parker’s “Magical 20,” we tasted the Bordeaux wines that Parker described as forming the next tier below the famed first growth wines of Chateaux Lafite, Margaux et al.

 A tasting of this magnitude for 1000 winelovers, required 20,000 glasses, 1400 bottles and 45 sommeliers to open them! As well, many of the Chateau had flown to Hong Kong just to be part of tasting and support their wines.