The Judgment of Paris 30th Anniversary

The Judgment of Paris 30th Anniversary

The Judgment of Paris is a historic event in the world of wine that took place on May 24, 1976. It was a blind tasting competition held in Paris, France, where French judges compared French wines with wines from California. The event is widely regarded as a turning point in the perception of American wines and marked the beginning of the rise of the New World wines.

Background

The wine industry in California had been steadily growing in the years leading up to the Judgment of Paris. Winemakers in California were experimenting with different grape varieties and winemaking techniques, aiming to produce high-quality wines that could rival those from traditional wine regions like France.

Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant and educator, organized the tasting as a way to showcase the quality of French wines to his American clients. He invited a panel of nine French judges, all of whom were highly respected in the wine industry, to blind taste a selection of French and Californian wines.

The Tasting

The tasting took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris. The judges were presented with ten white wines, consisting of five from California and five from France, followed by ten red wines, again with five from California and five from France. The wines were served in numbered glasses, and the judges were not aware of the origin of each wine.

To the surprise of many, the California wines performed exceptionally well in the blind tasting. In the white wine category, the Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena, a winery in Napa Valley, was ranked first, beating out renowned French white Burgundies. In the red wine category, the Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, also from Napa Valley, took the top spot, surpassing prestigious Bordeaux wines.

Impact and Legacy

The Judgment of Paris had a profound impact on the wine industry, both in the United States and internationally. It shattered the perception that only French wines could be considered the best in the world and brought global attention to the quality of American wines.

Following the tasting, there was a surge of interest in California wines, with wineries experiencing increased demand and recognition. The success of the California wines in the blind tasting also inspired winemakers from other New World regions, such as Australia and South Africa, to strive for excellence and challenge the dominance of Old World wines.

The Judgment of Paris is still celebrated today, and the 30th anniversary of the event is a significant milestone. It serves as a reminder of the power of blind tastings and the ability of wines from unexpected regions to surprise and impress even the most discerning palates.

See Also

• Judgment of Paris (wine)
• California wine
• French wine