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On May 24, American wine lovers should raise a glass to celebrate the most momentous occasion ever for American wine. IƵm referring to ƵThe Judgement of Paris,Ƶ where a gaggle of California wineries were pitted against the greatest French wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy in a blind tasting in the City of Light.

On that day, the all-French tasting panel awarded first place for both the red (1973 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon) and white wine (1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay) to these California wineries. The results of that tasting conferred worldwide credibility to the nascent California wine industry.

John Brown is also a novelist. His latest book in the Augie Trilogy — “Augie’s Wine” — is now available. His first two books — “Augie’s War” and “Augie’s World” — are also available online and in bookstores around the state. You can find out more about his novels, and review all of his archived Vines & Vittles columns at .

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