Grgich Hills Estate

American History (After Hours): The Judgement of Paris and American Wine

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• published: 23 May 2016
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On May 16, 2016, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris with a special American History (After Hours) program at the museum with wine tastings, food, and dynamic conversation. The Judgment of Paris was a pivotal moment forty years ago when American winemakers surprised a panel of French wine experts (and the world) by placing first in a blind tasting that pitted the new American wines against the best of France. Watch the panel discussion from this evening about the legacy of the Judgment of Paris and American wine history featuring experts and some of the original participants: Steven Spurrier – The organizer of the 1976 Judgment of Paris. George Taber – The only journalist to cover the tasting and author of Judgment of Paris (New York: Scribner, 2005). Warren Winiarski – The winemaker of the winning 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Bo Barrett – The CEO and former winemaker at Chateau Montelena Winery and son of the late Jim Barrett who owned Chateau Montelena at the time of the Judgment of Paris. Violet Grgich – The daughter of Mike Grgich, the winemaker of the winning 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and founder of the winery, Grgich Hills Estate, where Violet is co-proprietor. Ted Baseler – The CEO of Ste. Michelle Estates and CEO of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Moderated by Paula Johnson, Curator, National Museum of American History. View pictures from the evening here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskAxJT3t