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Copyright © 2008
Forkmedia LLC
by Fred McMillin
for February 2000
Buy French or California Wines?
Part II
Is California Gaining?
France has been the leading winemaker of the second
millennium. But their rigid wine laws severely
restrict experimentation. Conversely, California
vintners are free to experiment, and have the
great USA economy to finance it. Our impression
has been that California has been gaining. So,
we paired a dozen French against a dozen California
counterparts, each pair at the same price, and
reported the results in this Annex, two months ago. California won the blind tasting, eight matches to four.
If it is true that California is catching France, the implications for the wine world are huge. So, we thought we better pair some more, and here's how it came out. Wines that won their matches by the most votes are listed last.
| Winner | Local | Winning Margin (Votes) | Price | Year | Wine |
| 9th (tie) | Cal. | 2 | $10 | '98 | Chardonnay by Farallon, California North Coast |
| 9th (tie) | Cal | 2 | $8 | '97 | Cabernet Sauvignon by R. Mondavi, Woodbridge California |
| 8th | Cal | 3 | $15 | '96 | Claret Red Blend by Coulson El Dorado, California |
| 7th | Cal. | 6 | $10 | '97 | Cabernet Sauvignon by Chateau Julien, Monterey County (pictured) |
| 6th | France | 6.5 | $33 | '97 | Chablis (Chardonnay) Montmains Burgundy, Albert Pic |
| 5th | France | 8 | $8 | '98 | Tradition Chardonnay by B&G Saint-Louis, Macon-Village |
| 4th | France | 11 | $45 | '97 | Chablis (Chardonnay) Grenouilles Burgundy, by Albert Pic |
| 2nd(tie) | France | 13 | $6 | '97 | Merlot by Rivefort de France, Pays d'Oc |
| 2nd(tie) | Cal. | 13 | $30 | '97 | Chardonnay by Signorello, Napa Valley |
| 1st | Cal. | 22 | $15 | '96 | Cabernet Sauvignon by Fetzer Barrel Select, North Coast |
Comments
1. California won 6 matches while France won 4. That is, California won 60% of the matches; last time California won 67%.
2. However, last time France won two of the three matches between the six most expensive wines. The same thing happened this time.
3. Conclusion—California is getting competitive.
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This page created February 2000