So does French wine still deserve its reputation as the best in the world? The big question.(News) From: The Independent (London, England) | Date: May 26, 2006 | COPYRIGHT 2006 Independent News & Media PLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Byline: JOHN LICHFIELD PARIS CORRESPONDENT

Does the US's victory over France in a 'blind tasting' of wines matter?

It matters much less than the American triumph that this week's tastings were intended to commemorate: the so-called "Judgement of Paris" of 1976. Then, leading wine tasters, including French ones, placed top Californian reds ahead of the finest French clarets for the first time. That result shook the French industry to its roots.

Depending on your viewpoint, or tastebuds, the 1976 shock transformed the top of the French wine industry, for the better - ...