Robert Parker, decorated with the Gran Cruz de la Orden del Mérito Civil

The Spanish Ministry for International Affairs and Cooperation has approved the proposal to concede the distinction to the US wine critic

08/27/2010

With this award, Spain recognises the interest shown by the expert in Spanish wines

A Spanish Government Cabinet Meeting, held on 20th August, has approved the Royal Decree which concedes the prestigious decoration, proposed by the Spanish Ministry for International Affairs and Cooperation, to Robert McDowell Parker Jr., regarded as one of the most influential wine critics in the world.

Born in the State of Maryland in 1947, this wine expert writes reviews and tasting notes for his trade magazine, The Wine Advocate, published six times a year. Furthermore, little by little, Parker has gained a better understanding of and given greater acknowledgement to the quality of Spanish wines. As a result, for the first time in 2007, a Spanish wine was rated with 100 points by the renowned prescriptor. Parker also attended Winefuture Rioja 2009 and during this year has visited several Spanish wine regions.

Known to many as the ‘wine guru’, in recent years he has also received other celebrated awards such as the Chevalier dans l'Ordre National du Mérite from the French Government, and the Chevalier dans l'Ordre de la Légion d'Honneur, from the Italian Government.