Taber from time magazine was the only one in attendance. Spurrier recalls believing that they were determined to pick a french winner from among the reds. With chris pine, alan rickman, bill pullman, hal b. Taber overview the only reporter present at the mythic paris tasting of 1976a blind tasting where a panel of esteemed french judges chose upstart california wines over frances bestfor the first time introduces the eccentric american winemakers and records the tremendous aftershocks of this historic event that changed forever the world of wine. How much you enjoy judgment of paris depends a lot on what you want to get out of it. George taber was alone among journalists to attend the wine worlds. The trojan war was one of the greatest wars of former times and many men lost their lives in it.
Told for the first time by the only reporter present, this is the true story of the legendary paris tasting of 1976 a blind tasting where french judges shocked. Judgment of paris a shorter version of this article is published by the financial times. In 2005, taber wrote a book on the event, with the goal of setting the record straight. May 02, 2016 although steven spurrier had invited many reporters to the event, george m. Judgment of paris by george m taber online at alibris. Still, as taber notes in his superb disquisition on how wines are made and who has been making them, french and american wines have been sharing tables for generations. It talks about the history of the industry in france, and how it developed in california. And anyone truly interested in the history ought to read the excellent 2005 book judgment of paris by george taber. Stationed in paris between 1973 and 1976, he reported extensively on french wine and cooking, including a time cover story on chef michel guerard and his nouvelle cuisine. James laube, wine spectator taber tells the tale with the same authority, depth, and clarity as the american wines that won. The judgment of paris, as that may 24, 1976, wine tasting has come to be known, began as a. Nearly thirty years later, tabers book outlines an historic event that is relevant, captivating and compelling even for nonwine aficionados. Taber s book has inspired a number of commemorative tastings in the leadup to the anniversary.
The story of the early days of california wine making featuring the now infamous, blind paris wine tasting of 1976 that has come to be known as judgment of paris. Taber was the only journalists to attend what turned out to be the epochmaking tasting in paris in 1976, and hes written an exceellent book about it full of unexpected and inside details. How america kicked france in the pants and changed the. George mccaffrey taber is a journalist and entrepreneur. Steven spurrier, an englishman who owned a wine shop in paris, wanted to drum up business. Why the judgment of paris really matters and why it doesnt. Then paris correspondent for time magazine, george m. Taber, who has written a book on this judgment of paris. The paris wine tasting of 1976known as the judgment of paris was a wine competition organized in paris on 24 may 1976 by steven spurrier, a british wine merchant, in which french judges carried out two blind tasting comparisons. The only reporter present at the mythic paris tasting of 1976a blind tasting where a panel of esteemed french judges chose upstart.
May 24, 2006 taber s book has inspired a number of commemorative tastings in the leadup to the anniversary. The 1976 judgment of paris wine tasting changed all that. In one fell swoop, two california wines soundly beat the best france had to offer, and the reverberations of that tasting can still be felt today. His second book, to cork or not to cork, won the jane grigson award from the international association of culinary professionals and was a finalist for the james beard foundation award for best book on wine and spirits and the. Filmed in october 2005, taber appeared at the madison hotel for a book. Taber is the author of judgment of paris, the 2006 wine book of the year for britains decanter magazine. The paris tasting of 1976 will forever be remembered as the landmark event that transformed the wine industry. France and the historic 1976 paris tasting that revolutionized wine, readers will not only learn about what happened that day at the intercontinental hotel, but also the unique history surrounding the region that knocked france off its pedestal. Nor was it an event that was meant to garner any international publicity. For the american wine connoisseur, george taber s judgment of paris reads like a favorite movie. Taber recounts this seminal contest and its farreaching effects, focusing on the three gifted unknowns behind the winning wines. Although we may already know the ending before we have even read the first page, watching the plot unfold provides great enjoyment nonetheless. Filmed in october 2005, taber appeared at the madison hotel for a book signing. The only reporter present at the mythic paris tasting of 1976a blind tasting where a panel of esteemed french judges chose upstart california wines over frances bestfor the first time introduces the eccentric american winemakers and records the tremendous aftershocks of this historic event that changed forever the world of wine.
Taber is the author of judgment of paris, the 2006 wine book of the. His second book, to cork or not to cork, won the jane grigson award from the international association of culinary professionals an. In a blind taste test, french judges in paris did a tasting of california and french wines. The judgment of paris changed the way new world wineries perceived themselves, and heralded the growth of the current global wine market. Taber, former time magazine correspondent talks about his book judgment of paris.
Not necessarily you can skip ahead in the print version. His second book, to cork or not to cork, won the jane grigson award from the. May 24, 2016 spurrier recalls believing that they were determined to pick a french winner from among the reds. The paris wine tasting of 1976known as the judgment of pariswas a wine competition organized in paris on 24 may 1976 by steven spurrier, a british wine merchant, in which french judges carried out two blind tasting comparisons. Taber the small and little noted tasting in paris in 1976 of several californian wines against the top echelon of the french wine industry sparked horror in france and pride in the usa where for the first time hard evidence existed showing the american wine industry as a force to be reckoned with. Even the event itself only attracted one journalist, george taber, who is the author of this book. Fascinating characters, great locales, and a fine bouquet. But the most eagerly awaited judgment of paris recreation is the one being held todayan event. France and the historic 1976 paris tasting that revolutionized wine. In 2012, taber organized a blind tasting on behalf of the american association of wine economists similar to the 1976 judgment of paris event between wines produced in france and several produced in new jersey. Why the judgment of paris really matters and why it doesnt esther. And taber s cast of characters is a fascinatingly mixed lot, too. Why the judgment of paris really matters and why it doesn.
Housed in a frenchstyle, ivycovered chateau built in 1882, the estate boasts gorgeous grounds, and the winery continues to produce estate wines today. And anyone truly interested in the history ought to read the excellent 2005 book judgment of paris by george taber, the only journalist present at the 1976 event. Taber, the only reporter present, recounts this seminal contest and its farreaching. Orlando crazy things i choose to purchase game night nation halloween hang podcast lets stand group. Judgment of paris is one of the best books on california wine ive ever read. Publication date 200509 topics industries hospitality. For example, one of the california winemakers was actually visiting a chateau when he got the news that hed wonbut had absolutely no idea what it would me to california wines and the wine world at large. The book tells the story of a famous blind tasting in paris of california versus france, as well as giving a good history on california wine making and effects the tasting had on new world wine. In what began as a fairly lowprofile tasting so far as the media was concerned, ended up rocking the wine world right out of its orbit with a nowhistoric times, piece entitled, judgment of paris, written by george taber, the sole journalist onsite and later made into a fullfledged book. Taber, who has written a book on this judgment of paris and its significance, believes the same. May 24, 2016 the judgment of paris, as that may 24, 1976, wine tasting has come to be known, began as a publicity stunt. They were certainly more adept than 1, but i like to think that they grasped my vision ofwhat could be.
The paris tasting, as it turns out, was conceived and organized as a mere scrimmage, more a showcase than a showdown. Would you consider the audio edition of judgment of paris to be better than the print version. The paris wine tasting of 1976, also known as the judgment of paris, was a wine competition organized in paris on 24 may 1976 by steven spurrier, a british wine merchant, in which french judges carried out two blind tasting comparisons. All this history leads up to the famous tasting in 1976, when california wines beat out french wines in a blind taste test in paris. Taber the only reporter present at the mythic paris tasting of 1976a blind tasting where a panel of esteemed french judges. Taber was a reporter and editor with time magazine in the united states and europe for 21 years, working in brussels, bonn, houston, washington, dc, and new york.
Judgment of paris the only reporter present at the mythic paris tasting of 1976a blind tasting where a panel of esteemed french judges chose upstart california wines over frances bestfor the first time introduces the eccentric american winemakers and records the tremendous aftershocks of this historic event that changed forever the world of wine. Best french and california winea test that changed. His second book, to cork or not to cork, won the jane grigson award from the international association of culinary professionals and was a finalist for the james beard foundation award for best book on wine and spirits and the andre simon award for best wine book. As taber acknowledges at the outset of his book, however, the tasting was not even supposed to be a competition. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. France and the historic 1976 tasting that revolutionized wine scribner is essential reading for any oenophile. A visit to chateau montelena allows a glimpse into napa valley history. It was during that period that he reported on the judgment of paris where california wines were ranked.