Some might call this wine democracy. After years and years of being told what the Top 100 wines are, now the people can decide for ourselves! That's right, we don't need to listen to Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast or Robert Parker. Oh no, in true "American Idol" style, we (thanks to Wine.com) can let our voices be heard!

Kind of. As long as the wine was in Wine.com's 2007 inventory it was a contender. If it wasn't, well... it didn't have a place on the ballot. And really, the ballot wasn't a ballot. There was nothing to check off, no phone number to call or text. It was more like a shopping cart. Wine.com's Top 100 Wines reflects the top 2 percent of wines sold nationally on merchant's Web site during 2007, based on unit volume.

From SF Business Times:

We wanted our first-ever top 100 list to be unique," Rich Bergsund, Wine.com's CEO, said in the Dec. 5 statement. "Many publications rank wines based on the opinions of their wine critics. We wanted our customers to be the judge, voting with their wallets to determine the Wine.com 100."

This list, which was unveiled yesterday, lists the sold-out Hogue Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 as it's number one wine for the year. Rounding out the Top 10: Sticks Chardonnay 2004, Cristalino NV Brut Cava, Big House Red 2004, Veramonte Primus 2004, Concannon Limited Release Petite Sirah 2004, Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2004, Hanna Sauvignon Blanc 2006, and Penley Estate Hyland Shiraz 2004.

I think it's interesting to see what people buy. My list would be quite different (I'm sure yours would be, too), but it's nice to get a snapshot of consumer buying habits, even if it is from just one (albeit large) retailer. What are your thoughts on the Wine.com list? Do you regularly purchase any of the Top 10 wines?