| What is the top wine producing region of the world? | | | | from Napa. Statistically, the winner was a Stag's Leap |
| It is a simple question. On most subjects, it would | | | | from America, but barely. The bigger point was the |
| also produce a heap of debate given the subjective | | | | fact a competition biased against the American wines |
| nature of "best" and "top" and other rankings. Yet | | | | still resulted in situation where French judges could |
| this was not the case with wine. Everyone knew the | | | | not say French wines were superior. |
| French made the best wine. Or did they? | | | | This was a shock to the world of wine. Could |
| The year was 1976. The established world of wine | | | | California wines really be on par with French ones? At |
| was about to get a firm kick in the derriere. The | | | | first it was not believed. As time passed, the idea |
| Judgment of Paris had been arranged by a British | | | | became accepted and California wines grew in |
| wine importer, Steven Spurrier. He was an importer | | | | prestige. Ultimately, they have become par excellence |
| of French wines and had finally had enough of the | | | | in the world of wine. |
| suggestions that California wine was equal to or | | | | Interestingly, the competition was undertaken again |
| superior to French wine. | | | | in 2006. French judges were again used. In fact, |
| The Judgment of Paris was as stiff upper lipped as it | | | | some of the original French judges. The results? A |
| sounds. It was also heavily biased. The competition | | | | 1971 Ridge Monte Bello cabernet from California |
| would be a comparison of chardonnay and cabernet | | | | received the top mark. The best French wine? A |
| sauvignon wines from France and California. Eleven of | | | | 1970 Château Mouton Rothschild that came in |
| the judges were French and only one American. Even | | | | SIXTH place! |
| better, the American's rankings were not counted! To | | | | So, does this mean California wines are better than |
| counter this home field advantage, the tastings would | | | | French wines? No. It simply means that wines should |
| be done blind. Put another way, the judges would not | | | | not be graded on their regions. Instead, they should |
| know what wines they were drinking. | | | | be graded on their individual qualities. There are bad |
| Then something amazing happened. The judges could | | | | and good wines from California. There are bad and |
| not tell the wines apart. They identified certain wines | | | | good wines from France. This is true for any region. |
| as clearly the "best of the French" that were actually | | | | |