Author of The Wine Bible to lead blind tasting recreating the legendary 1976 competition
March 11, 2026 (Nashville, TN) — The Nashville Wine Auction is pleased to announce that Karen MacNeil, one of the world’s most influential wine authorities and the author of The Wine Bible, will serve as moderator for the Judgment of Paris: 50 Years Later – A Historic Re-Enactment, taking place April 11, 2026 at Nashville’s historic Union Station Hotel.
The event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1976 Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting organized by British wine merchant Steven Spurrier that stunned the wine world when California wines outscored France’s most celebrated producers—reshaping the global perception of American wine and ushering in a new era of international competition.
In Nashville, guests will step into the role of judges, recreating the famous tasting through modern vintages from the same iconic producers featured in the original competition.
Participants will blind taste a lineup of Chardonnays followed by Cabernet Sauvignon–based wines and Bordeaux, scoring the wines themselves before the results are revealed.
MacNeil will guide the tasting and provide historical context throughout the afternoon. She is President of Karen MacNeil & Company, author of the bestselling The Wine Bible, co-founder of Come Over October and Share & Pair Sundays, founder and chair emerita of the Culinary Institute of America’s Professional Wine Studies Program, CEO and editor of the digital newsletter WineSpeed, and recipient of the James Beard Award for Wine & Spirits Professional of the Year.
“Karen MacNeil is one of the most respected voices in the world of wine,” said Loren Chumley, President and CEO of the Nashville Wine Auction. “Her ability to bring both history and
perspective to the glass makes her the perfect guide for revisiting one of the most consequential tastings ever held.”
Following the blind tasting and scoring session, guests will gather for a Champagne reception and a multi-course dinner created by Guest Chef David Breeden, former Chef de Cuisine at the legendary French Laundry and founder of Guest Driven Hospitality.
A few seats remain available for purchase here.
Wines to Be Featured
Chardonnay
- Batard-Montrachet Ramonet-Prudhon 2023
- Beaune Clos des Mouches Joseph Drouhin 2023
- Chalone Vineyard 2024
- Chateau Montelena 2023
- David Bruce Winery 2023
- Freemark Abbey Winery 2022
- Meursault Charmes Roulot 2023
- Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles Domaine Leflaive 2022
- Spring Mountain Vineyard Heintz Vineyard 2024
Red Wines
- Château Haut-Brion 2020
- Château Léoville Las Cases 2021
- Château Montrose 2020
- Château Mouton-Rothschild 2020
- Clos du Val Winery 2022
- Freemark Abbey Winery 2019
- Heitz Wine Cellars Martha’s Vineyard 2019
- Mayacamas Vineyards 2021
- Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2021
- Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2023
ABOUT THE NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION
Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. In 2026, Nashville Wine Auction will celebrate Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend on February 26 – 28 and the 47th Annual l’Eté du Vin on July 30 – August 1 at JW Marriott. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $44 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to cutting-edge research, innovative treatment, and family/patient/caregiver support. www.NashvilleWineAuction.com
NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION BENEFICIARIES
American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, Blood Cancer United, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, The Heimerdinger Foundation, HopeKids, Inc.
Nashville General Hospital Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Survivor Fitness Foundation, Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
