Overview

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History houses, amid its illustrious artifacts, two bottles of wine: a 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and a 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay. These are the wines that won at the now-famous Paris Tasting in 1976, where a panel of top French wine experts compared some of France's most famous wines with a new generation of California wines. Little did they know the wine industry would be completely transformed as a result, sparking a golden age for viticulture that extends beyond France's hallowed borders to Australia, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, and across the globe. Then Paris correspondent for Time magazine, George M. Taber recounts this seminal contest and its far-reaching effects, focusing on the three gifted unknowns behind the winning wines: a college lecturer, a real estate lawyer, and a Yugoslavian immigrant. At a time when California was best known for cheap jug wine, these pioneers used radical new techniques alongside time-honored winemaking traditions to craft premium American wines that could stand up to France's finest. With unique access to the main players and a contagious passion for his subject, Taber renders this historic event and its tremendous aftershocks in captivating prose, bringing to life an eclectic cast and magnificent settings. For lovers of wine and anyone who enjoys a story of the entrepreneurial spirit of the new world conquering the old, this is an illuminating and deeply satisfying tale.

Full Product Details

9798200090976

Table of Contents

Reviews

"An intoxicating indulgence for Sideways fans, and an education for would-be wine sophisticates.-- ""Kirkus Starred Review"" ""A vivid, robust story that goes down smoothly."" -- ""Entertainment Weekly"" ""An intoxicating indulgence for Sideways fans, and an education for would-be wine sophisticates."" -- ""Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"" ""Sean Runnette is clearly enamored by the subject as he lends eloquent emotion to vine-to-bottle creations."" -- ""AudioFile"" ""While the outrage of some of the judges is funny, this is a serious business book, too, sure to be required reading for American vintners and oenophiles."" -- ""Publishers Weekly"""

Author Information

George M. Taber is the author of To Cork or Not to Cork, which won the Jane Grigson Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals and was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for best book on wine and spirits and the Andre Simon Award for best wine book. Before turning to writing wine books, Taber was a reporter and editor for Time magazine for twenty-one years, based in Bonn, Paris, Houston, and New York. Sean Runnette, a multiple AudioFile Earphones Award winner, has produced several Audie Award-winning audiobooks. He is a member of the American Repertory Theater company and has toured internationally with Mabou Mines, an avant-garde theater company. Sean's television and film appearances include Two If by Sea, Copland, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Third Watch, and lots and lots of commercials, for which he apologizes.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available