The Judgement of Paris was a historic wine tasting event that took place in 1976, where French and Californian wines went head-to-head in a blind tasting organized by British wine merchant, Steven Spurrier. The event was intended to be a celebration of French wines, which were considered the finest in the world at the time. However, to everyone’s surprise, California wines emerged victorious in both the red and white categories.
Let’s take a closer look at what wines were tasted at the Judgement of Paris.
Red Wines
The red wines that were tasted at the Judgement of Paris included six French and six Californian wines. The French wines were all from Bordeaux or Burgundy regions, while the Californian wines were from Napa Valley.
French Wines:
- Château Montrose 1970
- Château Haut-Brion 1970
- Château Léoville Las Cases 1971
- Château Mouton Rothschild 1970
- Château Montrose 1971
- Clos du Val Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 1972
Californian Wines:
- Ridge Vineyards – Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1971
- Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars – SLV Cabernet Sauvignon 1973
- Clos Du Val Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 1972
- Heitz Wine Cellars – Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1970
- Mayacamas Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 1971
- Freemark Abbey Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 1969
White Wines
The white wines that were tasted at the Judgement of Paris included four French and six Californian wines. The French wines were all Chardonnays, while the Californian wines included both Chardonnays and a single Chenin Blanc.
- Bâtard-Montrachet 1973 – Domaine Ramonet
- Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles 1972 – Domaine Leflaive
- Meursault Charmes Roulot 1973 – Domaine Roulot
- Beaune Clos des Mouches Joseph Drouhin 1973 – Joseph Drouhin
- Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 1973
- Spring Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay 1973
- Freemark Abbey Winery Chardonnay 1972
- Veedercrest Vineyards Chardonnay 1972
- David Bruce Winery Chardonnay 1973
Saintsbury Winery Chenin Blanc 1974
The Aftermath of the Judgement of Paris
The Judgement of Paris was a historic event that challenged the notion that French wines were the best in the world. It marked a turning point in the wine industry, and put California on the map as a premium wine-producing region.
In conclusion, the wines that were tasted at the Judgement of Paris included both French and Californian wines. While the French wines were all from Bordeaux or Burgundy regions, the Californian wines were from Napa Valley. The event was significant as it changed the perception of wine connoisseurs about Californian wines and helped put them on a global level to compete with French wines.