New Barker Points launched@Millésime Bio

The highly trained pooch is carried lovingly through 

Hall B2@Millésime Bio

ready to start his work

Close up of the wine-dog expert

Launched this morning with considerable fanfare at Millésime Bio the new Barker Points System (in French: Vin-Canine) could revolutionise wine assessment.

The dog has been trained to taste (lap up) the wine from a saucer, which has been specially designed to maximise the aromas. The dog uses a series of barks to show his appreciation and these have been carefully analysed during the dog's lengthy training and compared to the scores of leading human wine critics, who use the 100-point system. It has now been established that:  

Three barks equates to a 100-96 point wine.

Two barks equates to a 95-90 point wine 

One bark equates to a 89-84 point wine 

No bark equates to a 83-70 point wine 

If the pooch pees on the carpet – 69 points or less  


Update: 29.1.2014: 

The labrador arriving@Millésime Bio this morning (29.1.2014)

Barker Points, the new system of wine assessment, is developing fast. So popular has it proved that a reinforcement was called in. This time a labrador, who we understand concentrates on wines with high alcohols,  typically wines from Languedoc-Roussillon, the Southern Rhône, Priorat, California and Argentina, while the pooch assesses those with lower alcohol such as Rieslings and other varieties from the Mosel as well as Italian Pinot Grigio.