THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WINE RATING, PRICE, QUANTITY PRODUCED, AND APPELLATION AMONG 2006 CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS WITH SMALL PRODUCER RECOMMENDATIONS
Roger D. Hibbs, Larry Jensen, Abdulwahab Sraiheen\

Abstract
Wine Spectator, the leading publication of the wine industry, has stated that “price has little to do with quality.” This study tests that premise by examining the market for 2006 California Chardonnays from various appellations. Using Wine Spectator’s database of over three hundred California Chardonnays, an analysis reveals a statistically significant positive correlation between price and quality. The quantity produced and appellation was also significantly related to price. These results have strategy implications relative to promoting a particular winery within an appellation versus individual brand promotion, especially for smaller producers.

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