The Sommelier Standard, Applied
The House Standard Scorecard
The six criteria behind every recommendation on this site, turned on a purchase under consideration.
This scorecard turns the six criteria on whatever is being weighed right now. It scores nothing on whether the thing is wanted, only on whether it earns its place. The full method lives on The Sommelier Standard.
A note on scope
The luxury wellness market is saturated, and new products, tools, and services arrive constantly. Often the thing being weighed is one we have not personally researched, tested, or covered in an article. For those cases, this scorecard helps: it brings the same six criteria to whatever is on the table. It is a discernment aid — a published recommendation arrives with its research already done and its evidence label in view; this scorecard works only with the answers given here.
How evidence is labeled here
What each label means
- Research-Based — the claim is supported by peer-reviewed research or credible clinical literature.
- Experience-Validated — a consistent pattern of verified firsthand experience across products, practices, and brands, not cherry-picked reviews.
- Expert-Interviewed — an installer, spa or resort operator, designer, or independent industry expert, speaking from repeated professional exposure.
- Company-Interviewed — direct from the company, brand, or supplier, presented as such, not independent verification.
- Personally Tested — we've done it ourselves. We will never imply firsthand experience that didn't happen.
The Verdict
What to verify before buying
This scorecard applies The Sommelier Standard to the answers given above. It reflects those inputs, not an independent evaluation by The Wellness Sommelier. Published recommendations carry a visible evidence label showing the basis for each claim.