Old World, New Roots: a dialogue between wine regions

Fifty years after the Judgement of Paris, Old World, New Roots brought French and Virginian wines together for a blind tasting at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. Co-organised by student Thomas McCune, the event celebrated curiosity, exchange and the growing importance of Virginia wines on the international stage.

Fifty years after the famous Judgement of Paris, a new blind tasting has highlighted how the world of wine continues to evolve, bringing together different wine regions and encouraging fresh perspectives. On 29 June, Le Cordon Bleu Paris welcomed Old World, New Roots, an event co-organised by Thomas McCune, a student on the Diploma in Art, Science and Wine Management, together with Frank Morgan, Director of Judging for the Virginia Governor's Cup.

The event brought together twelve French wines and twelve wines from Virginia for a blind tasting led by an international panel of wine professionals and Le Cordon Bleu Paris students. Among them was Xavier Thuizat, Best Sommelier of France and Best Craftsman of France [Meilleur Ouvrier de France]. Rather than recreating the Judgement of Paris, the aim was to showcase just how far Virginia wines have come while placing them alongside well-established French references. With every bottle tasted blind, the panel assessed each wine solely on what was in the glass.

The French selection, curated by Thomas McCune, featured wines representing a range of regions and styles. Some had been introduced during the Diploma programme as benchmark wines, while others highlighted the work of independent producers. Virginia wines stood out across several categories, including Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux-style blends. Barboursville Vineyards' Octagon 2021 was the only wine in the tasting to receive a perfect score.

Beyond the results, Old World, New Roots created an opportunity for genuine exchange between two wine cultures. It encouraged participants to look beyond preconceptions, discover new terroirs and let the wines speak for themselves. The event also reflects the spirit of the Diploma in Art, Science and Wine Management at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, combining wine tasting, terroir, wine culture, management and an international outlook. Through this initiative, Thomas McCune brought together students and wine professionals around a shared curiosity and a common passion: gaining a deeper understanding of wine and the stories it tells.