The Judgment of Paris

We approach American wines much like we'd imagine you approach these wine stories, with uncertainty and a questioning attitude (it's alright, we prefer you this way).
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The American wine landscape is vast; 230 viticultural areas, over 6000 wineries, producing almost 22.1 million hectolitres of wine. While impressive, it does not even begin to compare to the diversity and production of Old World regions like Italy and France, but then OUR pursuit has always been that of quality not quantity.

The Event

2021 marks the 45 year commemoration of the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a pivotal moment in American winemaking history. The tasting was organised by Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant who defied any man who claimed that French wine might have competition, both from its Old and New World counterparts. The competition consisted of two international blind tastings, one of top quality Chardonnays and another of red wines, specifically Cabernet Sauvignon. America at that time was recovering from a troubled past which included the Great Depression, Prohibition, Phylloxera and the San Francisco earthquake. The outcome of this tasting was therefore a happy revelation as a Californian wine was rated best in each category, successfully, if not single-handedly challenging the Old World wines of that time and casting serious doubt on Mr. Spurrier’s claim. This win was to become one of the many wins to solidify the concept of the American Dream, and put Californian wines ‘on the map’.

The Golden State

The Golden State produces 90% of the country’s wine and is generally divided into Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Despite their proximity, each region benefits from microclimates that range from Mediterranean to dry, as well as diverse soil types which produce highly rated wines of very specific character. Both produce Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay of outstanding quality, we will not try and sway you either way, but suggest you see for yourself. Maybe by employing Mr. Spurrier’s tactics and instigating a blind tasting.