Judgement

The Judgement of Paris was a wine tasting organized by English wine educators Patricia Gastaud- Gallagher and Steven Spurrier at Spurrier’s wine shop in Paris in the spring of 1976. They believed that wines from California could stand alongside the most renowned wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, and hosted a tasting to put that theory to the test.

The wines were poured blind for nine judges, including prominent French wine and culinary figures. And wouldn’t you know it, the French judges preferred the Californian wines.

Similar tastings have taken place around the world ever since. Locally, the Judgement of Kingston is happening for its eleventh year on November 7.

The tasting originally brought together a group of professors from Kingston’s schools, but in 2016, they decided to open it up to the public. They believed so strongly in the wines of the County that they wanted to pour them alongside comparable wines from around the world.

Over the years, the focus has been on the region’s signature grapes, pinot noir and chardonnay, with one year dedicated to sparkling wines.

This year, in a slight break with tradition, the County wines will be made from a single grape: pinot gris.

Pinot gris and pinot grigio are genetically the same grape, but stylistically, completely different. Think syrah and shiraz, and you’ll get the idea.

If you see pinot grigio on the label the wine will tend to be light, often non-descript, high in acid, best served as cold as possible and to those whose well-being is of little concern.

A wine labelled pinot gris can come in many forms. Some from Alsace, for example, might be off-dry, while others are dry and full-bodied. Rich, heady aromas of stone fruit, ripe pears and sometimes honey, ginger or honeysuckle can fill the glass.

Perhaps there has been some skin contact, giving the wine a slight pink hue. Or maybe it has spent some time in oak, adding baking spice flavours beneath a concentrated core of ripe fruit.

However the winemaker has chosen to express the grape, it can be a delightful drop. Thankfully, more and more winemakers in the County are catching on to just how wonderfully suited the region is to the diversity of pinot gris.

On November 7, at the Judgement of Kingston, you’ll have the opportunity to taste and discuss all things related to County pinot gris.

Tickets are $95, and all proceeds go to charity. What started as a small group of wine-loving professors has grown into a major charitable event. About half of the ticket revenue goes towards covering the event’s operating costs, while much of the fundraising comes from the silent auction, which often includes older vintages of past wines, restaurant gift certificates and wine tours.

Each year, the Judgement of Kingston has raised around $10,000 for charities, including the Kingston Hospital Foundation, the Wellington Food Bank and Martha’s Table. This year, the focus will be on the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Ontario.

As more pinot gris is bottled in the County, I am truly looking forward to this event.

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