"Also, many consumers consider a critic to be like God Almighty"

Robert Mondavi’s assertion that “many consumers consider a critic to be like God Almighty” touches on the outsized authority critics can hold over public tastes and perceptions. He is highlighting a dynamic in which consumers, faced with choices, especially in fields as complex as wine, can become deferential to those viewed as experts. Critics, in Mondavi’s observation, are not simply advisors or reviewers; they often occupy roles of almost divine authority, their pronouncements shaping the beliefs and behaviors of countless individuals.

When Mondavi refers to critics being “like God Almighty,” he suggests a degree of reverence that borders on unquestioning faith. Consumers may treat critics’ scores or reviews as gospel, adhering to their recommendations without developing confidence in their own palate or preferences. This tendency can stem from insecurity about personal expertise, the intimidating mystique surrounding certain products like wine, or simply a desire for guidance in a crowded market. The metaphor implies that the critic wields power not just over opinions, but over the very definitions of quality and value.

The passage also touches upon issues of agency and autonomy. If consumers elevate critics to such celestial heights, they may abdicate their own judgment and enjoyment, relying on external validation for their choices. The critic becomes an intermediary between the product and the consumer’s experience. This dynamic can both elevate truly excellent goods, increasing standards and informing choices, but it can also suppress diversity of taste, making certain products fashionable or desirable primarily because an authority has decreed them so.

Mondavi’s comment contains a subtle warning: while critics can provide valuable guidance, their influence should not overshadow the personal experience and pleasure found in making one’s own choices. Ultimately, the relationship with any product, wine or otherwise, should be rooted in individual engagement, discovery, and satisfaction rather than complete deference to expert opinion.