France vs. USA: The Judgment Of Paris

(opens in a new tab)City Winery NYC presents The Judgement of Paris on Tuesday, May 26th, at 7:30 PM!

Hosted by Kevin Zraly Sponsored by Wine.com and Riedel

Featuring Lewis Black, Ray Isle (Executive Wine Editor, Food & Wine), Pascaline Lepeltier (Best Sommelier of France), Andrea Robinson (Master Sommelier), and Matt Tornabene (Founder & Owner of Mahattan Wine Company).

Additional special guests to be announced

Experience the 50th anniversary of the legendary Judgment of Paris—brought to life in an unforgettable, immersive tasting at City Winery. What’s Included in the Experience:

• A guided blind tasting of eight wines: two Chardonnays, two Pinot Noirs, and four Cabernets
• Side-by-side comparisons of French and American wines in each flight
• A relaxed, social tasting format designed for conversation, discovery, and debate
• A buffet featuring American sliders, French fries, and seasonal salads, a playful nod to the France vs. America rivalry
• The opportunity to sip, compare, and engage with fellow guests throughout the evening

In 1976, a blind tasting in Paris shocked the world when California wines defeated France’s finest. Fifty years later, you’re invited to relive and rejudge that iconic moment in an immersive, high-energy experience where the audience becomes part of the outcome.

Hosted by legendary wine educator Kevin Zraly, the evening unfolds as both a guided tasting and a live performance. You’ll taste eight wines blind, two Chardonnays, two Pinot Noirs, and four Cabernets, each flight featuring French and American wines doing battle, presented in a dynamic, multi-round format designed to build suspense and spark debate.

On stage, an extraordinary panel brings the experience to life. Expect sharp wit from Lewis Black, expert perspective from Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor at Food & Wine, and world-class insight from Pascaline Lepeltier and Andrea Robinson, both Master Sommeliers, a distinction held by only a select few worldwide, alongside Matt Tornabene, Owner and Founder of Manhattan Wine Company.

With additional special guests to be announced, the panel will taste, challenge, and react in real time, delivering a dynamic mix of humor, authority, and just the right touch of irreverence with every pour.

You’ll vote alongside the panel, joining fellow guests in delivering the “Popular Vote.” Will it match the judges’ decision? Expect bold opinions, surprising outcomes, and spirited back-and-forth as America and France face off once again.

The experience is as social as it is sensory. Enjoy a relaxed buffet of American sliders, French fries, and seasonal salads, a playful nod to the rivalry at the heart of the evening, as you sip, compare, and debate with fellow guests.

This is not just a tasting. It’s a story unfolding in real time, with you at the center of it.

At the end of the night, only one question remains:

Will France reclaim its crown, or will America win again?

Upgrade your evening with our VIP experience.

Enjoy the best seats in the house along with access to an exclusive pre-show reception at 6:30 PM in the winery, featuring bubbles and the opportunity to mingle with winemakers, judges, and special guests before the event begins.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available.(opens in a new tab)

🍷 Members get 48 hour early access to new shows, pay no ticket fees, and earn points to exchange for complimentary tickets. Vinofile Plus members also receive many wine benefits. Add a membership to your cart during checkout to start saving now. Already a member? Make sure you are signed in to access your benefits. Become a Vinofile Member and enjoy the benefits today.(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)