On Sunday, October 14th in Avon, Connecticut…over 100 enthusiasts, collectors, & hobbyists of wine descended upon the Bottle Stop for a closed door event. The purpose of this event was two fold; primarily to raise funds for an amazing local charitable organization, Favarh. Though the raison d’etre for the evening was to recreate the famous Judgement of Paris 1976 tasting event. Famous throughout the wine world, and particularly in the lore of California Wine…the event would pit New World vintners from America against their French counterparts. Specifically, Chardonnay and Cabernet-based wines from Napa would be tasted blind against established Domanies of Burgundy and Chateaus of Bordeaux. The results of the 1976 tasting were profound, as a European panel of wine professionals scored California wines ahead of the French bottlings. Subsequently, the world came to appreciate the efforts of California vignerons and the quality wine movement was ignited in America.
In our own microcosm, we featured 4 whites & 4 reds, with 2 each representing both USA & France. Here are the results:
WHITES
First – Paul Hobbs Russian River Chardonnay 2015
Second – Chateau de Puligny Montrachet Clos de Chateau Bourgogne Blanc
Third – Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2015
Fourth – Chateau de Santenay Meursault 2015
REDS
First – Stag’s Leap Artemis Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Second – Blason d’Issan Margaux 2014
Third- Clos du Val Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Fourth – Echo de Lynch Bages Pauillac 2014
So once again California wines triumph over France’s examples of both Chardonnay & Cabernet based reds. A fun time was had by all and some good money was raised for Favarh!
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