Posted on 05/27/2006 7:31:42 AM PDT by Atlantic Bridge
Oops, they did it again. Judges in a rematch of a 1976 blind taste test between French and Californian wines have handed the laurels to California for a second time. The French wine industry gnashes its teeth.
Thirty years ago, nine French wine experts shocked the world -- and themselves -- when they ranked certain California wines above their French counterparts in a blind taste test that came to be called, notoriously, "The Judgment of Paris." The French defended their belles dames at the time by sniping that the young west-coast wines wouldn't age well. "Our wines will improve with time," they sniffed. So the Briton who organized the Paris contest mounted a thirtieth-anniversary re-enactment on Wednesday in London and California, to see how time had treated the wines. Results? In brief: California smacks down France -- again!
(Excerpt) Read more at service.spiegel.de ...
California. The new France.
I bet they wouldn't. The early California vinters were mostly Italian. Ever hear of names like Mondavi, Martini, Sebastiani, Gallo, Nichelini, Simi, Parducci, Pedroncelli, Seghesio, Martinelli, Rafanelli, Riboli, Foppiano? There were a lot of Germans and other Europeans too, but the Italians dominated the California wine trade until relatively recently.
-ccm
The Germans do that very, very well. There is no real competition for that varietal IMO. I have a few bottles of spectacular '76 that are still wonderful. I do not buy by region, I buy by varietal and choose the appropriate region.
Nothing wrong with that policy.
That is the reason I believe that the best of the French wines represent the best of what certain varietals can attain. The French have perfected the matching of varietals with locale.
However, what California lacks in matching locations, they make up for in better wine making technique (though the french are catching up).
I expect the French secret services to get to work on this right away and pull some nasty suprise on California's wine industry.
It's French, so it must be good, right?
< / socialist group think >
The poster didn't specify what era he/she was talking about.
This must be a world record. 30 years without a frog surrender.
I've heard that the European wine industry is heavily regulated with limitations on 'blending' etc... all in the name of 'preserving the cultural heritage' of the various countries with regard to wine, as if somehow the innate creativity of the private sector would destory a culture, rather than create it. :) However, if I had to guess I'd say this is just an example of big government being influenced by the stagnating powers that be (probably entrenched family wineries) with political influence.
It may be a stretch but perhaps this is why this particular competition turned out the way it did. :)
The Finger Lakes region of New York also produces some wonderful Rieslings & Gewurtztraminers.
I lived on the Mosel for 6 months in 1987 and fell in love with German wines. Add to German wines Aussie, Californian and even wine from North Carolina, I see no reason whatsoever to buy a french whine.
Umm, not sure here, but I think that's another term for "Cheeze eating surrender monkey infestation". Surrender monkeys can screw up a decent wine, for sure!
Seriously, some moderately priced California Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot wines compare very well with much higher priced Bordeau and Beaujolais wines from France. Hmmm, should I buy the excellent Meridian Cabernet for $12.00, or should I spring for the B&G Beaujolais for $25.00? Actually, price neutral, I prefer the California wines!
If that was your experience than you have obviously a problem with women. In Germany we have a old proverb: Same people seem to mix.
Your's was from your imagination -- and dead wrong.... I've been married to the same saint for 44 years... Are you still screwing drunken French whores?
Your wife must be a saint if she is bearing you over 44 years since you seem to lack all forms of politeness and manners. Although I am married since 10 years, I know quite a few wonderful French women that are for sure not the drunken whores of your dirty phantasy.
I don't know about places like Berkley, but in Southern California you'd be hard pressed to find a single female who doesn't shave her armpits.
Ah yes, the world awaits training in "politeness and manners" from the Germans (of all people).... sure they are.
Perhaps the Germans should attempt to "salvage" those few wonderful French Women you know -- before they are required to "welcome" the new Muslim occupiers.
Semper Fi
To be honest I see very few wines from upstate NY in the local wine stores so I have rarely bought them. I will investigate further, thanks!
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