How Virginia Wine Compared to French Wine in International Blind Tasting

Fifty years into modern winemaking, Virginia proves it still belongs in the global wine conversation.

During Thomas Jefferson’s travels in France, he made detailed notes on French viticulture and encouraged European grape cultivation in Virginia. Although his dreams of a vineyard at Monticello fell flat during his lifetime, Virginia has since matured into one
of the country’s top wine-producing regions. 

Two-plus centuries later, Jefferson would be proud of how far viticulture has come in the Commonwealth. On June 29 in Paris, Virginia and France went glass-to-glass at Old World, New Roots, a blind tasting hosted by Le Cordon Bleu, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary institutions. 

Old World, New Roots co-hosts Frank Morgan and Tom McCune

The event was co-hosted by Virginian Frank Morgan, wine writer, director of judging for the Virginia Governor’s Cup, and Virginia Living contributor. “The real story wasn’t about ‘beating France,’” says Morgan. “It was about demonstrating that, after 50 years of modern winemaking, Virginia has earned its place in the global conversation.” Old World, New Roots created an opportunity for genuine exchange between two wine cultures and encouraged participants to look beyond preconceptions, discover new terroirs, and let the wines speak for themselves.

Virginia wines earned the two highest chardonnay scores, topped the cabernet franc flight, received highest marks for three Bordeaux-style red blends, and swept the petit manseng competition. Nicely done.

The Results:

CHARDONNAY:

1. Chardonnay 2023 Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Vineyard AVA Monticello Chardonnay 

2. 2023 Pollak Vineyards AVA Monticello Chardonnay 

3. Les Chazots 2023 Maison Shaps AOP Bourgogne 

PETIT MANSENG:

1. Petit Manseng 2023 Michael Shaps Honah Lee Vineyard 

2. 2023 Veritas AVA Monticello Petit Manseng 

3. 2024 Paradise Springs Vineyard AVA Middleburg 

CABERNET FRANC: 

1. Valley Road Vineyard Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve 2023 

2. PIOU 2023 Daugay AOP Saint-Émilion
Ceci n’est pas que Équilibre 

3. 2022 Château de Minière AOP Bourgueil 

BORDEAUX-STYLE RED BLENDS: 

1. 2019 King Family Vineyards Meritage 

2. 2021 Pollak Vineyards Meritage 

3. Octagon 2021 Barboursville Vineyard 

Photos courtesy of VirginiaWine.org. This article originally appeared in the October 2026 issue.