On May 24, 1976 a British wine merchant organized the well-known Judgement of Paris, a wine competition in which French judges did a blind tasting of French and California chardonnays and cabernets. The merchant, who only sold French wines, was in for a surprise when the California wines won in every category. La Valencia, as the kick-off event of its “wine series,” held a similar standoff on March 16. Guests filled the hotel’s ocean-view Sala Lounge, and Sommelier Chuy Galvan set everyone up with fruits, cheeses and four mystery chardonnays — two French and two Californian. To mirror the Judgement of Paris, of which the 2008 documentary “Bottleshock” was made, Galvan served up the two top-rated California chardonnays from the 1976 event — Chateau Montelena (Napa Valley, first place) and Chalone Vineyard (Gavilan mountains, third place). The two whites rivaled Aliane Chardonnay Burgundy (Puligny-Montrachet) and Louis Jadot Chassagne Montrachet from France. Food and Beverage Director Justin Wilson said the turnout of the wine contest was much bigger than he anticipated, with the head count more than doubling in the hours leading up to the event. He said he looks forward to La Valencia’s second event in the wine series: a celebration of wine, cheese and chocolate pairings. On April 9, the Pink Lady will hold it’s third wine series event with live music, a special menu and a focus on Santa Barbara wines. WHAT: Wines, cheeses and chocolates WHEN: March 30, 6 p.m. WHERE: La Valencia’s Sala Lounge (location may change) HOW MUCH: $30 per person INFO: Interactive pairing seminar, with wine from La Valencia’s cellar, artisanal cheeses from Venissimo Cheese Shop and fine chocolates from Jack Fisher Confections. UPCOMING WINE EVENTS • The Bishop’s School 2011 Auction Committee will team up with the Wine Steering Committee for the annual “Say You Will” auction on April 16. Benefiting the school’s financial aid program, the event will be held at the school and will feature a silent auction, wine auction and dinner stations catered by Giuseppe’s Fine Catering. Items to be auctioned off include tasting passes from Meritage Wine Market, various premium bottles and a private wine dinner at Addison, the Grand Del Mar’s five-star restaurant. The auction will also include other items, such as a U2 concert in Los Angeles, a party for 30 in the Petco Park Commissioner’s Suite and a lunch with Condoleeza Rice. For more information or to RSVP, call (858) 454-1168 or e-mail [email protected]. • Once a month, La Jolla Wine Tours have an open house showcasing one restaurant in the community in which guests meet the chefs, owners and sommeliers and get treated to complimentary tastings. The company also offers three-hour walking wine tours or tours to wineries around San Diego County. More information is available at www.lajollawine tours.com. • The French Gourmet, 960 Turquoise St., will hold the annual Tour de Cuisine with a three-course prix fixe dinner. For $30, diners get a choice of appetizers, entrées and desserts. For an additional $10, wine is paired with the meal. Patrons can dine on garlic-butter broiled mussels or frog legs sautéed with garlic, olive oil and sweet tomatoes. For a main course, options include filet of barramundi with almond butter meunière or baked Dijon-crusted rack of lamb. For dessert, there are French crêpes or a gourmet cheese plate. Hosted by the San Diego French-American Chamber of Commerce, the Tour de Cuisine at the French Gourmet will run from March 29 through April 2. Reservations can be made at www.the frenchgourmet.com or by calling (858) 488-1725 ext. 316. • The San Diego Wine and Culinary Center is introducing a new course designed to help amateurs “taste like a pro.” The series of classes, called “Wine 101,” will cover the three categories of wine: still, sparkling and fortified. Students will learn how each is made and how to taste and evaluate wine. The series offers four classes, which can be taken individually or as a package. The first course, on tasting and the winemaking process, is on March 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Drive, Suite 120. Single classes are $40 and a 4-class pack is $128. For more information, visit www.sandiego wineandculinary.com. • Bird Rock will get a new taste of Italia with the opening of Voce del Mare, 5721 La Jolla Blvd. Featuring authentic food prepared by the all-Italian staff, the restaurant will host a soft opening on March 31 from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Voce del Mare specializes in seafood, a staple in Naples, Italy, where all the employees hail from, and boasts an extensive wine list dominated by, what else, Italian wine.