The Judgment of Paris EP : 1
In the long and storied history of wine, The Judgment of Paris stands as one of the most defining moments a day when the worlds perception of wine was forever changed. It was not just another tasting event; it was the moment when wines from the United States triumphed over the finest French bottles, long hailed as the best in the world.
During the mid-20th century, France was the undisputed center of the wine world. French wines were revered as symbols of luxury, refinement, and excellence, representing centuries of craftsmanship and tradition. Each bottle carried a sense of heritage, terroir, and prestige that no other nation seemed able to rival.
In contrast, wines from the so-called New World places like the United States, Australia, and South America were viewed as mere imitators. Even though Napa Valley had begun producing wines of remarkable quality, most Europeans still dismissed American wines as the work of students learning from their French masters.
This perception remained unchallenged for generations until one man changed everything.
That man was Steven Spurrier.
In 1975, while visiting California, Steven met Patricia Gallagher, an American colleague who introduced him to wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma County regions that were beginning to attract attention for their winemaking potential.
When Steven first tasted these wines, he was astonished. They displayed balance, depth, and elegance qualities he had never expected to find outside France.
During their visit, the two also discussed the upcoming bicentennial celebration of American independence in 1976. It was then that Patricia casually suggested,
Why not hold a wine tasting to compare French wines with California wines?
The idea sounded almost whimsical at first even laughable but it soon became the spark that ignited a revolution.
Among them were names that would soon become legendary: Chateau Montelena, Stags Leap Wine Cellars, and Heitz Cellar. At that time, few in Europe had even heard of them. Their labels were plain, their prices modest yet when Steven tasted their wines, he found them extraordinary.
He later recalled,
The flavors were deep, the aromas complex, the balance perfect these were not ordinary wines.
After careful consideration, Steven selected 12 Californian wines Chardonnay for the white category and Cabernet Sauvignon for the red to compete against some of Frances most prestigious wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux.
When he returned to Paris, Steven extended invitations to nine of Frances most respected wine experts to serve as judges:
During the mid-20th century, France was the undisputed center of the wine world. French wines were revered as symbols of luxury, refinement, and excellence, representing centuries of craftsmanship and tradition. Each bottle carried a sense of heritage, terroir, and prestige that no other nation seemed able to rival.
In contrast, wines from the so-called New World places like the United States, Australia, and South America were viewed as mere imitators. Even though Napa Valley had begun producing wines of remarkable quality, most Europeans still dismissed American wines as the work of students learning from their French masters.
This perception remained unchallenged for generations until one man changed everything.
That man was Steven Spurrier.
A Vision Born in Curiosity
Steven Spurrier was a British wine merchant and educator deeply passionate about French wines. He owned the renowned Caves de la Madeleine wine shop and the Académie du Vin, a respected wine school in Paris.In 1975, while visiting California, Steven met Patricia Gallagher, an American colleague who introduced him to wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma County regions that were beginning to attract attention for their winemaking potential.
When Steven first tasted these wines, he was astonished. They displayed balance, depth, and elegance qualities he had never expected to find outside France.
During their visit, the two also discussed the upcoming bicentennial celebration of American independence in 1976. It was then that Patricia casually suggested,
Why not hold a wine tasting to compare French wines with California wines?
The idea sounded almost whimsical at first even laughable but it soon became the spark that ignited a revolution.
The Search for Competitors
Intrigued by the thought, Steven and his wife embarked on a journey through Californias vineyards. They met a new generation of winemakers passionate visionaries eager to prove that great wine could come from the New World.Among them were names that would soon become legendary: Chateau Montelena, Stags Leap Wine Cellars, and Heitz Cellar. At that time, few in Europe had even heard of them. Their labels were plain, their prices modest yet when Steven tasted their wines, he found them extraordinary.
He later recalled,
The flavors were deep, the aromas complex, the balance perfect these were not ordinary wines.
After careful consideration, Steven selected 12 Californian wines Chardonnay for the white category and Cabernet Sauvignon for the red to compete against some of Frances most prestigious wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux.
The Challenge of a Lifetime
For the French lineup, Steven chose world-class bottles such as Meursault-Charmes and Bâtard-Montrachet from Burgundy, along with legendary Bordeaux estates including Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Montrose. These wines represented the pinnacle of French winemaking exquisite, rare, and expensive.When he returned to Paris, Steven extended invitations to nine of Frances most respected wine experts to serve as judges:
- Odette Kahn, Editor of La Revue du Vin de France
- Pierre Bréjoux, Director of the National Office of French Wines
- Michel Dovaz, Wine expert and author
- Raymond Oliver, Michelin-starred chef
- Aubert de Villaine, Co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Pierre Tari, Owner of Château Giscours
- Christian Vanneque, Head Sommelier at Tour dArgent
- Jean-Claude Vrinat, Owner of Taillevent Restaurant
- Claude Dubois-Millot, Executive of Gault Millau Wines
Steven made one thing clear:
This will be a blind tasting no one will know which wine they are drinking. Every bottle will be judged solely by its taste, not by its label.
And thus, the stage was set for what would become one of the most shocking and transformative moments in the history of wine.
To be continued in EP.2 : https://www.rimping.com/th/blog/8110/judgment-of-paris-ep2-th
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