I would not propose a blind test to anyone and "experts" (oenologist) will kindly refuse to do the test. I tried my "wine liking" friends with this kind of blind test, and actually proved them they do not feel anything (the wine was the same in both glasses, they were certain that this glass was x and that glass was y, then ten minute later I did it again, with the same "those two wines are uncomparable" answer, while the wine was exactly the same)

So, if ask me, the wine thing is a scam from the begining. The only stable criterium for good vs bad wine is how bad the head ache in the morning. I.e. I can drink a >20€ bottle alone and be clear the next morning, while a <20€ bottle (with exceptions) is a bad idea.

Oh, and I'm French, and most my family and friends have contracted this oeno-magicallicus virus, which makes you believe in things that do not exist. [edit: and pay for them unexistent things]

I would not agree that you can't tell the difference between good and bad wine by taste alone, but I do agree about the difference in how you feel the next day is determined by price.

While I'm not disputing the importance of terroir, your example is not the best:

- Far from being "literally across the river", the two regions are ~200km apart by road (Pouilly-Fumé is from the Loire valley, Pouilly-Fuissé from the Mâconnais).

- The two wines are made from different grapes: Pouilly-Fuissé is a Chardonnay, while Pouilly-Fumé is a Sauvignon Blanc.

Maybe you meant Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre? Same grape, opposite sides of the Loire?