May 24th – Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris
This holiday is primarily celebrated in the US. The name is a takeoff on Greek Mythology.
The original Judgment of Paris was a means to get Zeus out of trouble. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite vied for the title of fairest, and Zeus (not wanting to choose himself) had Paris judge and choose.
Hera promised Paris riches and lands, Athena promised victory in battle, and Aphrodite promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chose Aphrodite, which led to his meeting Helen and the Trojan War.
But the “Judgement of Paris” that we celebrate is another and comes historically much later.
Judgement of Paris (Wine Edition)
Here’s the deal.
Steven Spurrier, a British Wine Merchant, had tasted some wines from off this tiny dirt road in this place called Napa, California. He & a colleague set up a blind tasting in Paris in 1976 with Chardonnays and Bordeaux-style reds from both Napa and France. The Judges were all French.
(Steven Spurrier passed in 2021. This whole story can be seen in the movie “Bottleshock”)
The top wines? For the Chardonnay, the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay. For the reds, the 1973 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet. Both wines from Napa Valley. Spurrier, sadly, had bet on the wrong horse, as he only sold French wines in his shop.
So…at this Judgement of Paris, it seems Napa was the fairest!
Celebrate with a wine from Napa! If you can get your hands on a Stag’s Leap Cab or a Chateau Montelena Chard, do that! I will mention that the winemaker who made that Chardonnay in 1976 was Mike Grgich, who later opened Grgich Hills in Napa. Sadly, at 100 years old, Mike Grgich passed away in December of 2023. He was a legend in the Napa Valley. I have met several people who knew him personally and speak of him as charming and kind.
So raise a glass on this Wine Holiday to Mike Grgich!
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET 3 Certified. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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