The Wine Tasting That Put California on Top of the Wine World

What is the top wine-growing region in the world? It is a simple question. On most issues, it would be to produce a lot of debate, given the subjective nature of "best" and "top" and other rankings. But that was not the case with wine. Everyone knew the French from the best wine. Or is it?

It was the year 1976. The established world of wine was about to get a solid kick in the butt. The verdict of the Paris was ordered by a British wineImporter, Steven Spurrier. He was an importer of French wines and had finally had enough of the suggestions, the Californian wine was equal to or better than French wine.

The verdict of the Paris, was as stiff upper lips, as it sounds. It was also severely distorted. The competition would be a comparison of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from France and California. Eleven of the judges were French and only one American. Even better, the Americans Rankingswere not counted! To meet this home advantage would require that the tastings are conducted blind. In other words, the judges would not know what they were drinking wine.

Then something amazing happened. The judges could not tell the wines apart. They identified certain wines, as is clearly the "best of the French" were actually from Napa. Statistically speaking, was the winners a Stag's Leap from America, but hardly. The bigger point was the fact that a competition against American wines still biasedin a situation in which French judges could not say that led French were superior wines.

That was a shock to the world of wine. California wines could really on a par with French? At the beginning it was not believed. Over time, the idea was accepted and California wines increased in prestige. Ultimately, they are par excellence in the world of wine.

Interestingly, the competition in 2006 was carried out again. French judges were to be used again. InIn fact, some of the original French judges. The results? A 1971 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet from California received the highest rating. The best French wine? A 1970 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, which came in sixth place!

How does the California wines are better than French wines? No, it simply means that wines should be divided in their regions. Instead, they should be considered on their individual qualities. There are bad and good wines from California. Thereare bad and good wines from France. This is true for each region.