WE BELIEVE THE AMERICAN WINE INDUSTRY DESERVES MORE RECOGNITION
We’re reinventing the original 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting with a new competition formaT.
If you're a winery making wine in the U.S. you are eligible to register.
Submit your wine and join hundreds of prolific American wineries for a chance to face off against the French in a high-profile blind wine tasting.
JUDGMENT OF PARIS 1976
The legendary Judgment of Paris was a wine competition organized in Paris, France on May 24, 1976 by British wine merchant Steven Spurrier and his colleague Patricia Gallagher.
An expert panel of eleven French judges participated in two blind tastings consisting exclusively of French and California wines. The white wine tasting focused on Chardonnay, while the red wine tasting featured classic Bordeaux from France and Cabernet Sauvignon from California.
The results of the blind tasting sent shockwaves through the industry as little known (at the time) California wines from Napa Valley were rated the best in each category and won the competition.
Top honors went to the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon—both of which are on display at the Smithsonian National Museum in Washington D.C.
Time magazine covered the event and published a four paragraph article that would change the face of American wine forever.
Now, 48 years after the pivotal Judgment of Paris wine tasting put American wines (and Napa in particular) on the map, we’re gearing up for a renewed showdown with our legendary French rivals to showcase the new generation of American winemaking.
Become an american icon
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OUR MISSION
Our mission is to create a long-lasting, good-spirited blind wine tasting series to promote the wine industry as a whole and encourage interest and participation amongst a new generation of wine drinkers.
The global wine industry is facing existential threats caused by rising land and labor costs, grape oversupply, cooling consumer demand, and the constant battles associated with climate change.
In a show of unity to support small, independent producers in the U.S.—of which there are more than 11,000 wineries—we’ve organized a series of regional tasting events on American soil as we select a new wave of challenger brands to face off against the French in a high-profile Judgment of Paris redux.
Thousands of domestic wineries are invited to submit their flagship bottles to compete in proctored blind tastings with an elite group of wine professionals in multiple cities.
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HOW IT WORKS
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Each winery is allowed to submit one (1) wine per varietal that they believe best represents their brand.
As a condition, only finalists will be announced publicly at the appropriate time. All other wines in the competition will be concealed and scoring will remain anonymous. -
The tasting is focused on four (4) main varietals.
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
At this time, we are only accepting the following vintages for each varietal to maintain an even playing field.Vintages: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
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Registration is currently closed. For wine inquiries, please contact us at 1976@vinohead.co
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Shipping address and delivery instructions will be sent via email following the completion of your online registration.
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There is a $15.00 administrative fee for each wine submission.
These fees assist with the production of the event and ensure an equal playing field for all participants.
“THE GREATEST WINES IN THE WORLD COME FROM SMALL, ARTISAN PRODUCERS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ADVENTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP.”
VINOHEAD