The International Wine and Food Society
Europe Africa
HUNDREDS OF TASTERS
MANY CITIES
ONE SHARED SCOREBOARD
THE LARGEST COORDINATED BLIND TASTING
Everyone tastes
blind
Everyone
scores
Who will win?
You decide
In 1976, a blind tasting - since nicknamed the 'Judgement of Paris'
- pitted top French wines against Californian upstarts.
Shockingly, the upstarts won.
Fifty years on, we're staging a retrial.
This time, it's France against the world.
No expertise is required.
All you need is a palate and an opinion
What You'll Do On The Night
Like 50 years ago, you'll blind taste two flights of wine
- Chardonnays and Bordeaux Blends.
To reflect today’s broad wine world, we've expanded beyond a California vs France head-to-head tasting. French wines will now face off against entrants from North and South America, South Africa and Oceania.
You'll score the wines according to a pre-set guide.
We'll compile the scores across hundreds of tasters in all locations.
The rankings will be announced on May 24, 2026.
The Story of the 1976 Tasting
On May 24, 1976, British wine merchant Steven Spurrier assembled several elite French palates in Paris for a blind wine tasting. It pitted top French red Bordeaux and white Burgundies against little-known California Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays.
Unbelievably, the top scoring wines were Californian - from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Chateau Montelena. A publicity stunt became a seismic shift: proof that greatness wasn’t confined to Europe.
The result legitimised New World regions and democratized prestige. Napa Valley and other regions weren't just curiosities - they could be world-class.
The event inspired books by George Taber and a major 2008 film called 'Bottle Shock' starring Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman and Chris Pine.
No other single event in history has catalysed more change in the wine industry.
Find an Event
City pages and ticket links will appear here as they go live.
lWFS Members should contact their local branch for Members' ticket pricing or use General Enquiry.
.png)
Everyone's Invited
IWFS Members get first access and member pricing
If you're curious about wine and you like a bit of friendly competition, you'll fit right in.
Save £15 on Judgement tickets by signing up to IWFS today!
IWFS membership gives you early access to events, a global community, year-round tastings and experiences, discounts on wine and educational content.
Do I need to be a member?
No. These events are open to everyone.
Do I need wine knowledge?
No. Just a palate, an open mind and an opinion.
How are results combined?
Scores are submitted online and collated into one shared scoreboard.
When will tickets go live?
City links will be added as they launch from the 23rd March, sign up for alerts.
FAQ'S