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Evaluation of Wine Judge Performance through Three Characteristics: Bias, Discrimination, and Variation*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2012

Jing Cao
Affiliation:
Department of Statistical Science, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 75275, email: jcao@smu.edu
Lynne Stokes
Affiliation:
Department of Statistical Science, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 75275, email: slstokes@smu. edu

Abstract

Judge performance is a critical component of a wine competition's success. A number of studies have shown that wine judges may differ considerably in their opinions. In this paper, we have conducted an in-depth examination of wine judge performance at a U.S. wine competition. Three characteristics of judge's performance are examined: bias, discrimination ability, and variation. Based on the analysis, we can identify the judges who had discrepant scoring patterns and can gain insight into which of the three characteristics cause particular judges to disagree. The evaluation of wine judge performance through these three characteristics may provide useful information for training them to have consistent performance and in assisting competition coordinators in judge selection. (JEL Classification: C1, D8, Q13)

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © American Association of Wine Economists 2010

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