A TRIBUTE TO THE 1976 JUDGEMENT OF PARIS

Member’s Journal, Volume 47, Number 5, May 2023

The Club at Gettysvue

Chef Chris Saffles

Wines from Northshore Wine and Spirits

Wednesday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Participants will dine on excellent food and judge wines in a blind tasting

↓↓ More information below ↓↓

Aperitif

Korbel Natural Champagne 2018
Surprise Amuse Bouche on Table

First Course

Arugula salad with pineapple, mango, peach vinaigrette
White Wine 1 for Tasting and Score

Second Course
Seared scallop with jasmine, apple
White Wine 2 for Tasting and Score

Third Course

Braised wagyu beef short ribs, pomme purée, wilted spinach, hazelnut mole

Red Wine 1 for Tasting and Score

Fourth Course

Dark chocolate cake with Oregon cherry ice cream
Red Wine 2 for Tasting and Score

Coffee

SEATING LIMITED TO 50 PERSONS.
ALL PRICES BELOW INCLUDE WINE, FOOD,GRATUITY, AND TAX.
$110 for member and $110 for one guest.
$115 per person for additional guests or non-members.
Reservations due by Wednesday May 17.
No refunds given after May 17.

A Tribute to the 1976 Judgement of Paris and A Challenge

Bill Andrews, WSET Board

On May 24, 1976, a selection of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from

California were put up for comparison against their well-established French

counterparts. The expectation was that the French wines would easily win the

competition. The sensation that was made when California’s offerings won the

competition – see the movie Bottle Shock – sent shockwaves throughout the wine
industry. The Winning US wines were Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and

Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. To be clear – the WSET event is not an honor

to the ancient Greek Judgement of Paris that led to the Trojan War. Our intent

is to celebrate a great moment in American wine, to promote the WSET global

view of wine enjoyment, and to test your culinary and wine tasting skills.

This year celebrates the 47th anniversary of that infamous Paris tasting

and the 50th anniversary of the winning US wine vintage. To commemorate

this, the Wine Society of East Tennessee in conjunction with our members

Northshore Wine and Spirits and The Club at Gettysvue is conducting an informal

reenactment of the tasting. The event will include both US and French inspired

food and California and French wines. Participants will dine on excellent food and

judge wines in a blind tasting. The four competing wines will be judged on a scale of

20 points each. At the end of the event, the wines will be revealed and the winners

recognized. Wines to be served are as follows:

Korbel Natural Champagne 2018 – Sparkling – $17.99

This is an opener and not part of the tribute.

It is our peace offering between France and the US as is it a California Champagne!

Made primarily from Pinot Noir, the remainder 35% Chardonnay, this stainless-steel

fermented sparkler is rich and fruity. Apple, cherry, and peach combine for a rich wine

that will widely appeal. Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California, US.

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2019. $60.00,  Napa Valley

 Bright gold in color and incredibly aromatic, the ripeness

of the vintage is most pronounced initially; melon, perfume, and orange

blossom slowly give way to fresh peach, honeysuckle, and apricot. There’s very

little overt oak influence on the nose, although it comes across subtly in the

background as pie crust and toast.

Stags’ Leap Cabernet 2020. $59.00, Napa Valley

 This 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is fresh and vibrant with layers of

bright red berry fruits, alongside a floral potpourri.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was founded in 1970 and is known for the 1973 Cabernet

that won the award in Paris. The Stags’ Leap Winery has an even older history.

Originally established in 1872, it is also well-known for excellent wines.

Stag’s Leap and Stags’ Leap are both in the Stags Leap district of Napa Valley. They are 2.7 miles apart.

Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages, 2021. $20.99. Chardonnay from  Mâconnais, Burgundy, France

Produced in theMâconnais region of Burgundy, Mâcon-Villages is vinified

with no oak contact to retain the elegant aromas and clean,

fresh character that this region is prized for. The vineyard soils have a high percentage

of chalk and limestone which impart nuanced minerality.

Château Les Granges Bordeaux 2020, $14.99

 The wine is young and, with its spice and juicy acidity, it is developing

quickly. Acidity and black currant fruits are already showing strongly against the wine’s light

texture. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.