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When it comes to American wine, it is easy to associate with a list of top wineries, some that make wine lovers covet and some are the dream for collectors, it seems that American wine has become synonymous with high-quality wine in the New World. However, to everyone’s amazement, nearly 50 years ago, compared to French wine, American wine is regarded as a second line, that cannot be compared to Bordeaux and Burgundy. Until 1976, on a day just like another day, there is a blind tasting that come to be known as Judgement of Paris that broke the stereotype, decanting California wine and bring it on to world stage to receive global attention. The question comes next, what has happened?
Judgement of Paris
In May 24, 1976, Steven Spurrier, an Englishman decided to stage a competition as the Paris Wine Tasting, which later commonly referred as “Judgement of Paris” or the Tasting that Changed the Wine World. Invited judges had have carried out two blind tasting comparisons: 1st is the Chardonnay from California and Burgundy; 2nd is Cabernet Sauvignon and its blend from California and Bordeaux.
Judges were mainly French. After tasting, each wine will be scored (out of 20 points) and average score given by all would be the final score for that bottle of wine. Surprisingly, French wine, which was regarded as the king in world at that time, has lost the first place in both red and white wine category. As for California wine, that was considered as second line, has honored the highest score in expert blind tasting. At that time, the wines chosen to join the tasting were all crème de la crème, from Grand Cru Classé in Bordeaux like Mouton, Haut-Brion, to Leflaive from Burgundy. The result has shaken up the wine world and people could no longer neglect American wine since then, especially when California wine has reached a height that can no longer be ignored. This competition was then named as the Judgement of Paris given to its contribution to promote and popularize New World wine.
The indispensable US Wine
After the event, American wine have gained worldwide attention, but also call into question the result by part of French critics. However, American winemakers and their peer have proved bit by bit to the world that American wine truly worth the applause, and over the years, they have already be indispensable to the world by being the “Big Brother” in New World Wine, continuously contributing innovations to the industry. Out of all, Napa Valley in California by being the champion of both reds and wines in Judgement of Paris is no doubt the leading sheep by producing variety of world-class wines that are hungrily sought after by collectors. Other than that, Sonoma County, as well as Oregon that have cooler climate and many more to be named have also help shaping up the wine world by bringing us distinct wine with their appealing charisma.
