by Gina Lopez
When we hear the phrase “Judgement of Paris,” we may initially think of the mythical contest from Greek mythology. However, there is another event that took place in 1976 that shares the same name and left an indelible mark on the world of wine. The Judgement of Paris, a blind wine tasting held in Paris, revolutionized the global perception of American wines and shattered the long-standing dominance of French wines.
In May 1976, Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant living in Paris, organized a blind tasting event to compare the best wines from France and California. The panel of esteemed French judges, comprising renowned sommeliers, critics, and experts, gathered at the Intercontinental Hotel to partake in what would become a transformative moment in the world of wine.
To the surprise of the French judges, the California wines outperformed their prestigious French counterparts in both the white and red wine categories. The 1973 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena and the 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars were crowned as the top wines in their respective categories. This unprecedented outcome challenged the long-standing belief that French wines reigned supreme.
The Judgement of Paris garnered significant international attention and signaled a seismic shift in the global wine industry. American wines, particularly those from California, gained newfound respect and recognition. The event brought attention to the quality and potential of wines produced outside of traditional European wine regions, paving the way for the emergence of New World wines on the global stage.
The Paris Wine Tasting acted as a catalyst for change, inspiring winemakers worldwide to pursue excellence and challenge the established norms of the industry. It sparked a surge of investment and innovation in the United States and other New World wine regions, as producers aimed to create wines capable of competing with the best from around the world.
Following the Judgement of Paris, California’s wine industry experienced remarkable growth. The international recognition it received led to increased demand for California wines and attracted new investment. Wineries in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and other regions of California flourished, gaining a reputation for producing exceptional wines that rivaled those of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
The legacy of the Judgement of Paris lives on in the wine world. The blind tasting shattered the perception that only traditional wine regions could produce world-class wines, opening doors for diverse wine regions across the globe. The event also encouraged consumers to explore and appreciate a broader range of wine styles and flavors, expanding the horizons of wine enthusiasts worldwide.
The Judgement of Paris in 1976 marked a turning point in the history of wine. It challenged the notion of French wine superiority and brought recognition to the excellence of American wines, particularly those from California. This groundbreaking blind tasting forever changed the global wine industry, inspiring winemakers, and consumers alike to embrace the diversity and potential of wines from different regions. The Judgement of Paris remains a celebrated event, reminding us of the power of blind tastings to reshape perceptions and redefine the boundaries of excellence in the world of wine.
The events of the Judgement of Paris inspired the 2008 movie Bottle Shock, as well as the creation of Bottle Shock, The Musical which is being produced by CCAE Theatricals and will open on July 7. For tickets to the world premiere of this brand new rock musical at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido go to artcenter.org.
