For wine lovers, collectors, and anyone who appreciates history in a glass, September 2026 promises to deliver one of the most exciting wine events in decades.
Luxury lifestyle publication VENÜ Magazine will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary “Judgment of Paris” with an extraordinary blind tasting that revisits one of the most pivotal moments in the history of wine.
On September 8, 2026, Napa Valley will once again become the center of the wine world as AMERICA vs. FRANCE recreates the iconic 1976 competition that forever changed the global wine industry.
The Tasting That Changed Wine Forever
In 1976, an unsuspecting blind tasting in Paris shocked the international wine community. Judged entirely by a distinguished panel of French experts, California wines unexpectedly defeated some of France’s most celebrated Bordeaux and Burgundy producers.
The results forever altered perceptions of American winemaking, establishing Napa Valley as one of the world’s premier wine-producing regions and launching California wines onto the international stage.
Five decades later, VENÜ Magazine is bringing history back to life.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Anniversary Event
The anniversary tasting will feature wines from many of the same producers represented in the original competition, while also showcasing today’s finest Chardonnays and Burgundies alongside exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeauxs.
The wines have been carefully selected by longtime wine writer Monty Preiser and renowned Master Sommelier Virginia Phillip, who will also oversee the tasting.
The event promises to offer a fascinating look at how both American and French wines have evolved over the past fifty years while paying tribute to one of the industry’s defining moments.
An All-Star Panel of Wine Experts
The judging panel is a remarkable gathering of some of the most respected names in the wine world, including:
- Sally Johnson Blum, acclaimed consulting winemaker whose career includes Robert Mondavi, Pride Mountain and multiple 100-point wines.
- Jean-Charles Boisset, internationally recognised winery owner with prestigious estates in both France and the United States.
- Ken Frank, award-winning chef and owner of Napa’s celebrated La Toque restaurant.
- Jeff Morgan, former Wine Spectator editor, educator and founder of Covenant Winery.
- Sara Preiser, veteran wine journalist and co-founder of the American Fine Wine Invitational.
- Shelly Rafanelli-Fehlman, owner and winemaker of Sonoma’s legendary A. Rafanelli Winery.
- Chris Sawyer, internationally respected sommelier, educator and wine judge.
- Deborah Parker Wong, noted wine journalist, educator and editor of The Somm Journal and Slow Wine Guide USA.
Together, this distinguished panel brings decades of expertise in viticulture, winemaking, journalism and hospitality to one unforgettable tasting.
A Fitting Napa Setting
The blind judging will take place at the renowned La Toque restaurant in Napa, one of California’s premier culinary destinations.
Following the competition, guests will gather at Feast it Forward for an exclusive “Reveal Dinner,” where the identities of the wines and the official results will finally be unveiled—a dramatic conclusion worthy of the original Judgment of Paris.
Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence
This commemorative event is made possible through the support of Wine Country this Month Magazine, Randall Scarlett and the Scarlett Law Group, Marybeth Ramey and Richard Hailey of Ramey and Hailey Law Firm, Fred Bollaci Enterprises, Katie Hamilton Shaffer’s Rotation, and Feast it Forward.
Why This Matters
Few moments have reshaped an industry the way the 1976 Judgment of Paris transformed the world of wine. It challenged centuries of convention, elevated California to global prominence, and proved that extraordinary wines can come from anywhere passion, craftsmanship and terroir intersect.
As VENÜ Magazine celebrates this landmark anniversary, the 2026 recreation is more than just a tasting—it is a tribute to innovation, excellence and the enduring spirit of competition that continues to inspire winemakers around the world.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an aspiring sommelier, or simply someone who enjoys discovering exceptional wines, AMERICA vs. FRANCE promises to be one of the year’s most memorable wine events and a fitting celebration of one of the greatest stories ever told in the world of wine.
Cheers to the next chapter of this legendary rivalry.