Independence Wine

The gap week between the celebrations of America's Independence Day and upcoming France's Bastille Day, this is the perfect time to dabble in some French and American wine tasting history.

Ever since the ground-breaking Paris Tasting in 1976 where in a blind tasting France's top wine tasting experts (to everyone's shock) picked American wine over their French counterparts as the best, America's reputation in wine has been on a steady rise.

Specifically it was California's Cabernet Sauvignons that beat out France's highly-esteemed Bordeaux. Don't assume this a one time fluke, the same results continuously recurred in future wine-tastings around the world. And unlike many televised demonstrations with explosive results - you can try this at home.

Note the original California winners were Ridge Monte Bello 1971 and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 1973 that beat out their Bordeaux rivals. However, it may be interesting to try a new assortment of Cabernet Sauvignons from various wineries and price ranges. Value and taste have led to a lot of buzz for Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley-Spring Mountain District (2002), Flying Cloud Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, and The Hess Collection, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2002.
From France you should try to seek out Chateau Haut Lucas Cotes de Castillon 2002, Chateau Les Tuileries Bordeux 2002, and also try the Blanc from the same producer.

Assemble your own panel of wine tasting experts, break out the blind folds, remember the 15-minute rule, and release your tastebuds on an adventure.

If you want to try some very carefully selected French wine, Check out the Bastille Day block party happening on Friday July 14th down town on Marlborough Street by the Boston French Library. There will be live music performances from some of the world's best francophone performers, an array of French food and wine, and lots of dancing! A word of advice: the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting is not always the best conversation opener for the French, so try to stick to less sore subjects like maybe the World Cup.

post contributed by Victoria Daskal