Stephen Tanzer is a US-based wine critic who has edited and published his bimonthly International Wine Cellar since 1985. He has published wine reference books and wine-buying guides, and he also writes articles for Forbes and Food & Wine. Tanzer's web writing, and the International Wine Cellar, are at www.wineaccess.com.
The bimonthly guide (which shares its initials with the International Wine Challenge) is funded entirely by its subscribers and is widely respected for its down-to-earth, independent approach and freedom from advertising. Tanzer’s specialist knowledge lies in the wines of Piedmont, Burgundy, Bordeaux and California.
Stephen rates wines on a 100-point scale as follows:
- 95–100 – Extraordinary
- 90–94 – Outstanding
- 85–89 – Very good to excellent
- 80–84 – Good
- 75–79 – Average
- 70–74 – Below average
