Winery Reviews -
Visiting the Wineries of the 1976 Paris Tasting

Before 1976, much of the world assumed that French wines and French cuisine reigned supreme. President Kennedy always drank French wines in the White House. When President Johnson commanded only American wines to be served there and at American embassies, many wondered what sacrifices were being made in the name of patriotism.

That all changed with the famous Paris Tasting of 1976. Trying to gain publicity during the US bicentennial, it was supposed to show that the US's best wines were reasonably OK, but that the French wines were of course the best. Instead, the French judges chose an American Chardonnay and an American Cabernet as the best of the tasting.

I went out to Napa Valley in March 2003 to visit the wineries involved in that tasting. I spoke with each about their wines and how the tasting changed the attitudes of wine drinkers worldwide. Read on to learn more about how wine has evolved since that fateful event!

FRIDAY:
David Bruce Winery

SATURDAY:
Chateau Montelena
Freemark Abbey
Clos Du Val
Stag's Leap

SUNDAY:
Ridge Winery
Heitz Winery

US Wines Win at the Paris Tasting of 1976

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