The Paris Tasting of 1976 will forever be remembered as the landmark event that transformed the wine industry. At this legendary contest -- a blind...
read full description
reviews
Jun 09, 2010
Carol
rated it: 
You have to read this book in Sips not Gulps! Also helps if you are interested in wine, wineries, and wine making. The book came out in 2005, but is mostly about the revolution of wine making in the mid 1970's. We visited my husband's brother in Napa California in 1978(?) and visted the Mondavi, Sterling, Beringer and Christian Brothers wineries (amongst others). This really makes the book interesting to me.
Some interesting (to me) asides:
(circa 1968), Dr. Gerald Ivan More...
Some interesting (to me) asides:
(circa 1968), Dr. Gerald Ivan More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 04, 2011
Bill
rated it: 
One would think from the title of this book it was all about the tasting and the surprising victories by rookie Napa Valley wineries vs. the established elite of France. Yes, it eventually got around to describing the actual event and the "blowback" that resulted (the French are still pissed off and in denial that we kicked their asses). But I especially was that most of the book described the early risk takers and the overall history of California wine country. Especially, in such an
More...
May 31, 2010
Bruce
rated it:
This is the book that the movie Bottle Shock was supposedly based on. In fact the movie had very little in common with the book, aside from the names of a few of the people involved and the underlying premise of a blind taste test of red and white wines in Paris, some originating from wineries in California and others from well-known French vintners. None of the characterizations of people common to both book and movie (chiefly Steve Spurrier and Jim Barrett) match, and Bo Barrett, around whom
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 17, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
I heard about this book and the controversial judgement of Paris a few months ago when touring Grgich Hill Winery (the winery established as a direct result of the Paris tasting in 1976). I've always loved the Grgich cabernet (the Yountville reserve is spectacular) and I was eager to read about the process of wine making and the history of the estate.
Although Taber delves a little too deeply into the personal backgrounds of the various winemakers involved as opposed to covering the More...
Although Taber delves a little too deeply into the personal backgrounds of the various winemakers involved as opposed to covering the More...
Apr 26, 2009
Karla
rated it: 
WHY I PICKED IT UP:
I'd heard good things, and I wanted to learn more about recent history of wine.
NOW THAT I'VE READ IT:
I absolutely loved this book. It is well written, very interesting, and I enjoyed the balance of talking about wine, wine making, life stories, and state of the current industries.
The book is broken into a couple sections. To me, the main sections were:
1) Recent history of wine, profiles on key players/wineries, stories behind More...
I'd heard good things, and I wanted to learn more about recent history of wine.
NOW THAT I'VE READ IT:
I absolutely loved this book. It is well written, very interesting, and I enjoyed the balance of talking about wine, wine making, life stories, and state of the current industries.
The book is broken into a couple sections. To me, the main sections were:
1) Recent history of wine, profiles on key players/wineries, stories behind More...
Jan 01, 2011
John
rated it:
After seeing "Bottle Shock," I was curious for more background on the famous Paris 1976 wine tasting in which California wines triumphed. George Taber was the only reporter present that day, so he has the inside scoop. The book follows a different path from "Bottle Shock," and covers the history of several California wineries that became famous after that day. The story is well told and personally I found it more instructive than the movie. At the same time I learned quit
More...
Apr 04, 2010
Sara
rated it:
I enjoyed this book, although it often delves a little too deeply into the process of making wine and the minutia of leading winemakers' lives. A great read for anyone who loves the art and science of making wine, and especially those who can appreciate how wine made outside of France, particularly in California, Australia, and Chile, has exploded in the last few decades. It even touches on recent wine trends, including accessible wines that can be enjoyed shortly after they are bottled. (Whi
More...
Jan 06, 2010
Carol
rated it:
Last weekend my sister, brother-in-law and I saw this great little Netflix film: "Bottle Shock." It was a comedy and dramatization of the "Judgment of Paris", the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting at which French experts judged California wines to surpass the best wines produced in France. Of course I had to read the story, because the book is always better than the movie ;-)
Indeed, the real story is even more fascinating. Written by the only journalist present to cover More...
Indeed, the real story is even more fascinating. Written by the only journalist present to cover More...
Dec 09, 2008
Bonnie
rated it:
I enjoyed this book ...a fascinating story of the rise of California winemaking. Entertaining and informative! I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the important historic 1976 Paris Tasting (The event showed that the US could make wine as good as the French), A Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and a Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon beat their French counterparts and shocked the wine world. More importantly, the results encouraged other countries to experiment
More...
Aug 31, 2008
Julie
rated it:
The actual May 1976 blind tasting in Paris of French & California wines takes up little of this book- which makes sense given that is was very low-key event. Spurrier meant to introduce what he thought were intriguing wines (Californians) to a handful of notable French palates. The blind tasting was meant to be a bit of a tease, a lark. He had no idea his 2 hr tasting would unleash a revolution in the wine industry.
What I loved about this book were the stories of young men who arriv More...
What I loved about this book were the stories of young men who arriv More...
May 28, 2008
Ben
rated it: 
I'll give it two and a half stars. As the title aptly states, this book describes the events surrounding the 1976 Paris Tasting, a blind wine tasting by France's leading experts where a Napa cabernet sauvignon and a Napa chardonnay took top billing as the best wines. Taber gives a very good build up to the actual tasting, first providing a short history of viticulture, then describing the world of wine in the late 1970s (read: France).
The best part of the book was the chapter tha More...
The best part of the book was the chapter tha More...
Oct 16, 2010
Tropean
rated it:
Clearly the definitive telling of the story by the only journalist who was actually there. Excellent detail about the historical roots of the California wine industry, and interesting discussions of the impact of the even on the global wine scene.
Also serves as a much-needed tonic to the gross fictionalization of this event in the movie Bottleshock. I saw the movie before reading the book, and can tell you that the truth is better than the Hollywood-ed up storyline in the movie.
Dec 10, 2008
Karol
rated it:
A non-fiction book that tells an interesting story of how one wine tasting event, under unusual circumstances profoundly affected the California wine industry, as well as the post '76 future of global wine production. I will enjoy browsing the shelves at the wine store after reading this piece of significant wine history and will also enjoy tasting to a fuller degree!
Jun 02, 2011
Phil
rated it:
The title's a bit misleading - I was swondering how one could write 300 pages about a single event - the 1976 blind tasting of the wines of France and California - in France - which the California wines won. In reality, this is the point to which the first 200 pages lead, by telling the stories of the three California vineyards and winemakers who placed high in the tasting. There's also good, but lesser coverage of the French vineyards and winemakers, but al in all, well-told tale - very thoroug
More...
Jun 30, 2009
Andrew
rated it:
The first 2/3 was fantastic; great stories about the emergence (or reemergence) of the California wine industry after prohibition, and the "players" in the '76 Paris Tasting. The last 1/3 turned into an examination of the globalization of the wine industry. Interesting, but a great departure from the fun of the first part.
Oct 25, 2008
Adriana
rated it:
Great historical retelling from the perspective of a reporter who was there at the scene when the first time ever France's wines lost to another country. It really rocked the culinary and wine world who always based the standards of how to make wine and what wine best accompanies certain foods from what France's wine officials said. Taber gives good details about each winery and the wines selected. What surprised me was how he gave the history of the whole wine industry in both California and Fr
More...
Aug 28, 2011
Ananya
rated it: 
Just isn't for me - a very long and biographical account of all of the folks who started up the wine business in California, namely Napa Valley. It's really more of a textbook than a fun read... but perfect for anyone who wants every single detail of how American wine came onto the world scene!
Jan 31, 2009
R
rated it:
Enjoyed the book which is more of a history on the resurgence of the california wine industry rather than the 1976 tasting. Due to this event, American wines appeared on the world stage and the American wine industry has not looked back since. A good read.
Apr 28, 2010
Kay
rated it:
I loved the book because I really enjoy wine! Great book that covers the history and coming of age of California wines. Also discusses the 'newer' world wine regions. Published in 2005, the new information is getting dated but is still very interesting.
Jan 05, 2010
Eric
rated it:
a very interesting look at the rise of the California wine industry after prohibition. It discuss' who, what and how our wine culture progressed and challenged the world dominated by the French for so long...A very informative and interesting book.
Mar 22, 2009
George Taber is an excellent storyteller. He gives you an intimate look at the lives of some of America's most talented winemakers. A wonderful retelling of the event that put California on the map as a source of great wines.
Jan 02, 2012
Virginia
rated it:
I read this after seeing the movie "Bottle Shock". Good thing cause I'd have hated the movie if I read the book first. The story was very interesting untill it reached the present day and then it got a little dry.
Jul 24, 2009
Ann
rated it:
In general, I liked the idea of this book; however, it got extremely technical for me, and I started to lose interest. On the other hand, I have a new appreciation for wine, thus will probably drink more of it.
Jan 14, 2012
Debby
rated it:
A must read if you have been to California wine country (Napa and Sonoma) or plan to go for wine tasting. It's the enlightening story of the vintners who made California wine-making what it is today.
Sep 11, 2010
Tori
rated it:
I enjoyed this book and am particularly glad that I read it before I went to the Napa Valley to visit wineries. You get enough of an education on the history of wine-making in the region to not feel like a total idiot when talking wine to people who live in the valley. It whetted my appetite to learn more about viticulture.
Sep 14, 2011
Kyle
rated it:
Never thought I would be so enthralled by a wine tasting and it's effects on the wine world. I was also surprised at how much this book is story of perseverance by the winemakers in California. I decided to read this book because of the movie Bottle Shock. It is much better than the movie. Aside from the fact that events in the movie are highly dramatized, the book offers much more content and gives you the full story. The detailed history of California wines in the first part of the book, makes
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 04, 2010
Hanisaliba
rated it:
The book was great. The details, the wine, the human side of the story. All great. I made the mistake of watching the movie. That was not good. So, grab the book, read it, and wish you were there.
Apr 05, 2009
Katherine
rated it:
A great read about an actual event told by the only journalist there. He relates the facts with a great storytelling style. I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about wine.
Oct 23, 2011
Avary
rated it:
Interesting while traveling in Napa Valley of California. We bought the book at Grgich Hills Winery while tasting. The book includes biographies of to men who became accomplished winemakers and a third who owns a winery that has produced award-winning wines. While there was "more information" than I might have wanted, most of it kept my interest. It sets straight the real story of "Bottle Shock," a good movie!
May 09, 2011
Todd
rated it:
This is a really well written book and if you like or love wine this is a must read. Fascinating story about the actual tasting but even more interesting is all of the stories about the wines that were part of the event. It was really great to read all about the ups and downs in Napa before the event and learn the history of the wine business in the US. Love the movie Bottle Shock but the book really explains the true events of the famous tasting in Paris. This is a great book to learn more
More...
