The Paris Tasting of 1976 – A Modern Recreation

Thursday, June 28th
Everything Wine @ Morgan Crossing
$100 per ticket plus HST
For tickets please call 604-542-2480

It was the spring of 1976, pant legs were wide, hair was long, and as far as the world was concerned, only the French made world-class fine wine. Then came the Shot Heard ‘Round The World that changed everything. That shot was the so-called JUDGEMENT OF PARIS, best known to everyone by its representation in the film “Bottle Shock”, and it signaled an end to the French dominance in the world’s perception of fine wines. In the wine industry it is one of the most important, defining moments of the last hundred years.

The event, organized by a Brit named Steven Spurrier (played in the movie by Snape – I mean Alan Rickman), pitted French Bordeaux against Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, and French Burgundies against Californian Chardonnays. The real twist to this competition, however, was that it was conducted BLIND, and adjudicated by FRENCH JUDGES. It was expected that the French wines, with their thousand years of refinement and Terroir trial and error, would crush these young upstarts handily. Imagine their surprise when the Californian wines, however narrowly, edged out these classic French wines in the eyes of the French judges. It put California on the Wine Map, and the French have never gotten over it.

Everything Wine in South Surrey are going to stage an homage, if not outright re-creation, of this seminal wine event. With the purchase of a ticket, you will join our panel and pass blind judgment on a collection of Californian and French wines, most of which were original competitors of the first tasting those 36 years ago. The tasting will be blind: you will not know which wines are which until you have already evaluated and ranked them, and we will use the original 20 point grading system.

The wines:

• Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2005 $1099.99 (an original competitor)
• Clos de Marquis 2005 $106.99 (Second wine to Leyoville-Les-Cases, an original competitor)
• Clos Du Val Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $89.99 (original competitor)
• Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $59.99 (original competitor)
• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Second wine to S.L.V., an original competitor)
• Joseph Drouhin Clos De Mouches Blanc 2009 $119.99 (original competitor)
• Louis Jadot Meursault (pending Confirmation) 2009 $99.99
• Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2007 $79.99 (original competitor)
• Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2008 $75.99 (winemaker of Ch Montelena, original competitor)

Tickets to this event are $100 per seat, and are EXTREMELY limited. There will be light cuisine prepared by Chef Alistair Veen of Tap Restaurant, and it’s going to be totally awesome. I hope you can join us for this one-of-a-kind- event!
 - Jordan Carrier - Vintage Room Consultant, Everything Wine @ Morgan Crossing

Winery Spotlight: Rustico Farm and Cellars

Rustico Farm and Cellars is a theme-park winery that devotes itself to remembering the Okanagan Valley's Old West roots. Before the valley became the agricultural marvel that it is today, it was a fur trading out-post and then a Gold Rush-era mining community. Of course, before all of that it was home, and still is, to the Okanagan first-nations people. None of this has anything to do with wine traditionally, but so-what? It's a fun theme and certainly a memorable experience.

Rustico's proprietor, the affable, story-telling Bruce Fuller, plays the role of a wise-cracking and savvy saloon owner to a tee and although some may find the shtick a bit kitschy at times, many will find it charming and undoubtedly unique. He pours his wines into whiskey tumblers which actually doesn't mute the bouquet or palate as much as you might expect. Each wine is served with a story about its name (often cheeky stories - ask about the "Farmer's Daughter") and each visit concludes with multiple photo ops of the tasting room decor or of the man himself. http://www.rusticowinery.com/

Eclectic Credentials
There may be no tasting room in the Okanagan more eclectic than Rustico's which takes its adopted Western theme to nth degree and there is certainly no proprietor more eclectic than Bruce Fuller who is usually seen in full cowboy costume both at and away from the Golden Mile Bench winery. Immerse yourself in the saloon-styled tasting room and take a moment to check-out the many authentic antiques and tongue-in-cheek named wines.

Key wines to try:
Bonanza Zinfandel
Farmer's Daughter Gewurztraminer
Mother Lode Merlot

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: June 2012

More new releases and a couple of old favourites in this month's picks.

Columbia Crest Winery 2009 Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon - $15
A touch of sweetness is present both on the nose and palate which makes for a very easy-going drinking experience. The balance is a tad sharp to off-set the residual sugar and plum flavours.
Icon Score

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - $17
A medium-plus bodied Riesling, mostly due to the sugar levels, yet, never feels heavy or "fat" due to the leaning qualities of the acid and mineral notes.
Icon Score

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Pinot Gris - $18
This nearly-dry, mouth-watering and fruit-forward style of Pinot Gris is a joy to drink and a happy alternative to the many meaty and heavy versions produced in BC today.
Icon Score

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Gewurztraminer - $18
Blessed with natural fullness and a creamy mouth feel, this release succeeds by reigning in the body with vibrant, mouth watering, citrus acidity that structures the Asian pear, apple and lychee fruit characters beautifully.
Icon Score

Gold Hill Winery 2009 Syrah - $27
If you're looking for a Syrah with something to say, something loud, then this is the Syrah for you. Big, bold and boisterous with good intensity on the nose and palate that will pair beautifully with your next rack of BBQ ribs.
Icon Score

Fairview Cellars 2009 The Bear - $35
Lovers of wine with a refined bite (fine tannins and mouth-watering acidity) will adore this vintage of The Bear. As for development, the sky's the limit. I look forward mightily to re-tasting this wine in two year intervals over the next eight as it melds and evolves.
Icon Score

Mollydooker Wines 2010 The Boxer - $37
Ultra ripe dark fruit and pepper spice aromas are carried through to the massive palate with licorice and mocha flavours adding complexity. Pair with tangy BBQ steaks but leave time to quaff the gorgeous, warm nose.
Icon Score