Judgment of Paris (wine)

Judgment of Paris (wine)

The Judgment of Paris was a historic wine tasting event that took place in Paris, France, on May 24, 1976. It was organized by Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant, and featured a blind tasting of French and Californian wines. The event had a significant impact on the perception of American wines and marked a turning point in the global wine industry.

Background

In the 1970s, French wines were considered the epitome of quality and were highly regarded by wine experts and enthusiasts worldwide. California wines, on the other hand, were relatively unknown and often dismissed as inferior. Steven Spurrier, who owned a wine shop in Paris, decided to challenge this perception by organizing a blind tasting that would pit French wines against Californian wines.

The Tasting

The tasting took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris and was attended by a panel of nine French judges, all of whom were renowned wine experts. The judges were asked to blind taste and rate a selection of white and red wines from both France and California. The wines were presented in pairs, with one French wine and one Californian wine in each pair.

To everyone's surprise, the Californian wines performed exceptionally well in the blind tasting. In the white wine category, the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay from California was ranked first, beating out several prestigious French white wines. In the red wine category, the 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon from California took the top spot, surpassing renowned French red wines.

Impact

The outcome of the Judgment of Paris had a profound impact on the perception of American wines. It shattered the notion that French wines were superior and brought international recognition to the quality of Californian wines. This event marked a turning point in the global wine industry, as it opened doors for other New World wine regions to gain recognition and compete with traditional wine-producing countries.

Legacy

The Judgment of Paris has since been replicated in various forms and has become a symbol of the rise of New World wines. It has inspired similar blind tastings and competitions around the world, showcasing the diversity and quality of wines from different regions. The event also led to the establishment of the California wine industry as a major player in the global wine market.

See also

• California wine
• French wine
• Wine tasting
• Blind tasting

External links

• Official website of the Judgment of Paris