Due to be released in American theaters this month is "Bottle Shock," a new wine movie based on the story of the Judgment of Paris. The wine event, which was organized by Steven Spurrier back in 1976, upset the received wisdom of the wine community at the time.
During a blind tasting of quality French and Californian Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons, French wine critics consistently rated Californian wines as the best in each category, upsetting the myth of France's viticultural supremacy and paving the way for a wider acceptance of Californian wines.
Since Spurrier was in town to arbitrate on the Japan Wine Challenge, The Japan Times asked a few questions about what he thought of the fictionalized version of events.