Read the true story by George Taber
The French have a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ about their wine, and they are the first to let you know about it. And why shouldn’t they? So when American Steven Spurrier challenged France to a blind taste test, they were quick to accept. But the French didn’t know that Napa Valley is one of the best places in the world to grow wine grapes. So the stage was set, a face off between France and California.
A tasting panel of 8 French men and 1 French woman was assembled to judge the competition. Six California Cabernet Sauvignons were pitted against four of the top red wines from Bordeaux and six California Chardonnay competed against four highly regarded whites from Burgundy in the 1976 blind taste test.
As the tasting began, people who witnessed the competition realized that something unexpected was occuring as the judges couldn’t tell which wines were from California. One judge noted, “That is definitely California. It has no nose.” He was speaking of the 1973 Batard Montrachet, which at the time, was regarded as one of the finest wines in the world.
The end results was a “shot heard round the world.” The 1973 Stags Leap Wine 
Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon won the red category. The 1973 Chateau Montelena from Calistoga was voted the best white. A must read is “Judgement of Paris” by George Taber. I am in the middle of this book and the story is intriguing and factual for you history buffs.
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California has more than 107 AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas). An AVA, or American Vinticultural Area, is a specific grape – growing area within a state or a region recognized by and registered with the federal government. AVA designation began in the 1980′s and is a system styled after the European system (AOC).
*NOTE: If an AVA is listed on the label, at least 85% of the grapes must come from that region
Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted varietals. More than 2,600 wineries (check out our list) are bonded in the state, up over 200% from 1990. In 2007, over 192 million cases of California wine were sold. Land planted to grapes now tops 527,000 acres.
California Wine Facts at a Glance
Number of wineries in California
2,843
Number of winegrape growers in California
4,600
Varieties of winegrapes grown in California
More than 110
Counties in California where winegrapes are grown
48 out of 58
Number of jobs created by California wine
820,000 U.S. jobs, of which 330,000 are in California
Bottles produced with one ton of California winegrapes
Approx. 797 or 65 cases
Amount of winegrapes in one (750ml) bottle of wine
600-800 grapes or 2.8 lbs.
Bottles produced by one grapevine
Approx. 5
Percent of wine sold in U.S. purchased by women
55.4%
People who visit California wine regions every year
20.7 million
For current tourism and seasonal happenings, contact the below organizations;
Northern California
| Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association Contact Person: Vicky Robinson Phone Number: 707 431-2894 Email: info@alexandervalley.org |
| Lake County Winegrape Commission Contact: Shannon Gunier 707/995-3421, FAX: 707/995-3618 email: central@lakecountywinegrape.org |
| Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley Contact: Diane Johannsen PH/FAX: 707/433-3031 |
| Napa Valley Grape Growers Association Contact: Joelle Gallagher 707/944-8311 FAX: 707/224-7836 email: nvgga@i-cafe.net |
| Napa Valley Vintners Association Contact: Linda Reiff 707/963-3388, FAX: 707/963-3488 |
| North Coast Grape Growers Association Contact: Rhonda Hood 707/578-8331, FAX: 707/5-6771 |
| Oakville Winegrowers Contact: Kathy Meinhardt707/944-0216, FAX: 707/945-0229 email: sealight@ix.netcom.com |
| Mendocino Winegrowers Alliance Contact: John Enquist 707/468-9886, FAX: 707/468-9887 email: mwa@mendowine.com |
| Russian River Valley Winegrowers Contact: Kirk Locca 707/521-2534, FAX: 707/546-3277 email: rrvw@sonic.net |
| Russian River Wine Road 800/723-6336 FAX: 707/433-4374 email: info@wineroad.com |
| Silverado Trail Wineries Association |
| Sonoma County Grape Growers Association Contact: Nick Frey 707 206-0603 FAX: 707-206-0313 email: frey@scgga.org |
| Sonoma County Wineries Association Contact: Jaimie Douglas 707/586-3795, FAX: 707/586-1383 email: info@sonomawine.com |
| Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance Contact: Claudia Glade 707/935-0803 FAX: 707/935-1947 email: info@sonomavalleywine.com |
| Stag’s Leap District Winegrowers Association Contact: Nancy Bialek 707/255-1720, FAX: 707/255-1760 |
Central California
Southern
| Ramona Vineyard Association email: rva@ramonavalleyvineyards.org |
| San Diego County Vintners Association Contact: Dave Wodehouse 760/720-7499 FAX: 760/720-7498 |
| Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association Contact: Linda Kissam 909/699-3626, FAX: 909/699-2353 email: winecountryinfo@aol.com |
Central Valley
| Amador Vintners Association Contact: Jill Murphy Phone: 209/267-2297, 888/655-8614 FAX: 209/267-2298 |
| Calaveras County Wine Association Contact: Clayre Quick 800/225-3764 ext. 25, FAX: 209/728-3418 |
| Clarksburg Winegrowers Association Contact: Elizabeth G. Merwin Phone: 916/448-7282 |
| Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association Contact: Sblend Sblendorio 925/447-9463, FAX: 925/447-0433 |
| Lodi Appellation Winery Association |
| Lodi District Grape Growers Association Contact: Elizabeth Giannini Phone: 209/339-8246 |
| Lodi Woodbridge Winegrape Commission Contact: Mark Chandler 209/367-4727, FAX: 209/367-0737 |
| El Dorado Winery Association Contact: Betty Young-McIntire 800/306-3956, FAX: 530/295-2009 |
| Sierra Grape Growers Association Contact: Joan Hughes 530/432-4894, FAX: 530/432-5737 |
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