The consensus among the experts was that most of the wines weren’t sweet enough and lacked what is known in the trade as “kick.” The California Cabernet Sauvignon was judged “fairly smooth, but sorta heavy;” however, it was more drinkable than its French equivalent. The Zinfandel and the Petit Sirah were “O.K., if you like that kind of shit,” and the same went for the French wines.

The whites fared even worse. Most of the experts rated the French wines as “sour” and compared them to vinegar. The California whites were a little better, but also tasted “funny” and “queer.” Some even thought the Charles Brut Pinot Chardonnay “tasted like piss.”

Overall, the California wines still emerged better in every category. In fact, the experts went even further than most tasters and offered their own personal favorites with the wines actually tasted. Aptly enough, all their favorites were also American wines. Their ratings, in no order of preference, were: