THE GIFT GUIDE:  WHAT TO GET FOR THE HARD TO GET FOR

The stellar historical re-enactment will be held at California’s renowned CIA school. (photos courtesy of the event)

By now, even casual wine drinkers probably know about the 1976 blind tasting, held in Paris, that changed the world of wine forever. Organized by English wine merchant Steven Spurrier, the event, today called the Judgment of Paris, pitted high quality French red Bordeaux and white Burgundies against California Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. A 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon was declared the best red, and a 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay declared best white. At the time, the result was inconceivable, and today continues to be cause for celebration within the Napa Valley; now, in part to support the fight against Alzheimers, a lucky few dozen oenophiles will be able to participate in a kind of re-creation of the landmark event.

The judges table, at the original event. Spurrier appears right of center, looking to his right.

Looking for an over-the-top gift for your favorite wine lover? Look no further than this new iteration of the Judgment of Napa, to be held May 24, 2021.

Conceptualized by Cultured Vine, a Napa-based luxury concierge, the full-day event is a tribute to both Spurrier and George Taber, the former Time magazine journalist who covered the original event. Twenty rare Napa Valley wines will be featured at this blind tasting, to be held at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, and hosted by Spurrier, Master of Wine Peter Marks, and Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson, who will also serve as emcee and judge.

The legendary Spurrier, today. (photo by C Pedreira)

Tickets for the Judgment of Napa are now on sale; 80 guests will enjoy the privilege of tasting some of Napa’s finest wines with the wine notables listed above, in addition to an esteemed panel of winemakers and vintners including Andy Beckstoffer, Tim Mondavi, Jean-Charles Boisset, Violet Grgich, Mark Beringer and many others. Forty Premier Judge ($2,500) ticket holders will experience the bounty of Napa Valley’s wine and cuisine, and forty VIP Elite Judge ticket holders ($5,000) will have the opportunity to be seated judges, with additional perks such as a following-day Rolls-Royce joyride the next day, and a reception and vertical tasting at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars wine caves. 

A portion of all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Inspire Napa Valley, an organization that raises critical funds and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in the Napa Valley, with proceeds directed to support the Alzheimer’s Association.