Hotel Jerome Honors Judgment of Paris Legacy During Epicurean Passport Weekend

The air in the Hotel Jerome’s courtyard still carries the faint, ghostly scent of crushed grapes and old stone, a sensory echo of the six-day Epicurean Passport Weekend that just wrapped up. It’s a smell that lingers long after the last glass is cleared, a reminder of the creative culinary and wine experiences that have become the heartbeat of this historic Aspen landmark. But for me, the true highlight wasn’t the bustling market or the grand dinners; it was a quiet Friday afternoon tasting that felt less like a corporate event and more like a history lesson whispered over a bottle of wine.

Christel Stiver, the director of Wines & Spirits at Hotel Jerome, hosted the gathering, and if you look closely at the room, you can feel the weight of what was being celebrated. It wasn’t just a party. It was a tribute to 1976, the year the “Judgment of Paris” shook the wine world to its core. As we approach the 50th anniversary of that pivotal moment, this tasting wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was about lineage. The lineup included professionals who have direct ties to the wineries involved in that historic upset, pouring vintage wines that had survived decades to prove a point about American viticulture.

David Reuss, the National Education director for Jackson Family Wines and a recent Master Sommelier, led the charge. He didn’t just pour; he narrated. Reuss, who had just earned his MS designation after passing the rigorous Court of Master Sommelier Diploma Exam, provided the historical perspective that turned a simple tasting into a narrative arc. He spoke of Steven Spurrier, the British wine aficionado who ran a shop in London, and how his decision to fly to Paris and blind-taste French against American wines changed everything.

The room was filled with people who know their vintages. There was Kristy Melton, head winemaker at Freemark Abbey, whose hands have shaped some of Napa’s most iconic labels. There was Perrin Wolf, a longtime local wine distributor and sommelier who, despite his expertise, couldn’t hide his excitement as a Knicks fan. William Davis of Wilson Daniels distributors and Carlton McCoy, CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates and a Little Nell alum, rounded out the group. McCoy’s portfolio includes Heitz Cellar, one of the stars of the original 1976 tasting, making the connection between past and present tangible.

Why does this matter to us, neighbors who might be more concerned with the price of heating oil than the provenance of a Cabernet? Because this event signals stability. Despite concerns about the upcoming airport construction and the potential disruption to the 43rd Food & Wine Classic, the Hotel Jerome is doubling down. The Epicurean Passport Weekend is already planning its seventh year, built on a foundation that values community as much as it does culinary excellence. The “Farmer’s Market” opening evening, now a signature gathering, isn’t going anywhere. It’s a commitment to keeping Aspen’s cultural engine running, even when the runways are closed.

You can feel the warmth in the way these professionals talk about the legacy of the Judgment of Paris. It’s not just about American wine beating French wine; it’s about the courage to challenge established hierarchies. It’s about a small group of winemakers who believed in their craft enough to put their bottles on the line. And as the sun sets over the Elk Mountains, casting long shadows across the hotel’s historic façade, the taste of that vintage lingers on the palate — complex, challenging, and undeniably alive.