Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized WineThe only reporter present at the mythic Paris Tasting of 1976 for the first time introduces the eccentric American winemakers and records the tremendous aftershocks of this historic event that changed forever the world of wine. The Paris Tasting of 1976 will forever be remembered as the landmark event that transformed the wine industry. At this legendary contest—a blind tasting—a panel of top French wine experts shocked the industry by choosing unknown California wines over France’s best. George M. Taber, the only reporter present, recounts this seminal contest and its far-reaching effects, focusing on three gifted unknowns behind the winning wines: a college lecturer, a real estate lawyer, and a Yugoslavian immigrant. With unique access to the main players and a contagious passion for his subject, Taber renders this historic event and its tremendous aftershocks—repositioning the industry and sparking a golden age for viticulture across the globe. With an eclectic cast of characters and magnificent settings, Judgment of Paris is an illuminating tale and a story of the entrepreneurial spirit of the new world conquering the old. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 5 | |
The Awakening | 43 |
The Judgment of Paris | 153 |
The New World of Wine | 211 |
Epilogue | 301 |
Scorecard for the Judgment of Paris | 305 |
| 307 | |
Acknowledgments | 311 |
| 313 | |
Reading Tasting Group Guide | 327 |
About the Author | 331 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acres aging American wine André Tchelistcheff Australia barrels Barrett Beaulieu Vineyard Beaune began bottle bought Burgundy Cabernet Sauvignon California wines century Chardonnay Chateau Montelena Château Mouton Château Mouton Rothschild Chile country’s drinking Drouhin event flavors France France’s Freemark Abbey French winemakers French wines Gallagher gallons going Grange grapes growers Growth Hanzell harvest Haut-Brion Heitz Helena Hohnen judges juice label land later Latour Leap Wine Cellars located looked Luper malolactic fermentation Martha’s Vineyard Merlot Meursault Mike Grgich Miljenko Napa Valley owner Paris Tasting Paschich percent picked Pinot Noir planted produce red wines Riesling Rustenberg San Francisco Sauvignon Blanc selling soil sold Sonoma soon South Souverain Stag’s Leap Wine started Steven Spurrier Stewart tanks Tchelistcheff told took UC Davis Valley’s vines vintage vintners wanted Warren Winiarski white wines wine business wine’s winemakers Zinfandel