Current president Barrack
Obama made headlines his second inauguration, not by choosing an American-made
wine, but by choosing two wines from a lesser known wine state—New York. The Finger Lakes region’s 2010 Tierce Dry
Riesling was served at the inaugural luncheon along with a 2009 Bedell Cellars
Merlot from Long Island.
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| Tierce Dry Riesling--a Finger Lakes Wine. |
For a toast over this same meal, another American wine was
featured—Korbel’s Russian River Valley Natural Champagne. Those of you who know that only wines
produced in the traditional method from the Champagne region of France gasped
at the label of that wine; you joined the French who were chagrined by the move
as well. However, French law has been
loosely translated to allow the grandfathering in of certain sparkling wines as
long as they are labeled “California Champagne.”
This isn’t the first time Korbel’s sparklings may have
caused a controversy for a president and an inauguration. Korbel wines crossed party lines and were also
served for Ronald Reagan’s
inauguration in 1985, George Bush in
1989, Bill Clinton in 1993 and 1997,
George W. Bush in 2001 and 2005, and
Barack Obama in 2009 and 2013.
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| Korbel Natural "Champagne" |
Jimmy Carter,
known as being a peanut farmer, was actually a grape grower and wine
maker. He made his own wine for years,
selling bottles of his private label wines at benefit auctions to support his
Carter Center and its philanthropic work.
President Gerald Ford,
from Michigan, often served Michigan wines, wines that are now having a boom in
growth and respect.
President Richard Nixon
loved French wines, especially Bordeaux.
It was said that he would often hide his bottle of wine from this prestigious
region of France so guests drinking other wines wouldn’t know Nixon was
breaking former President Johnson’s rule (and drinking wine much more expensive
than theirs!).
While he was president in the 1960s, President Lyndon B. Johnson ushered in the golden
age of American wine in the 1970s as he made the decree that only American
wines should be served in the White House.
Up until this time, French wine and food dominated White House
dinners. After switching to American
wine, American fare began to be showcased, as regional dishes were served more
often as well.
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| Ushering in the golden age of American wines. |
President John F. Kennedy
and his beautiful wife Jackie were the presidential couple known for bringing
wine back to the White House table on a regular basis. They loved French cuisine and also liked
Bordeaux wines, but President Kennedy preferred whites, such as Chateau Haut
Brion Blanc.
History of wine in the White House becomes a little less evident
before, during, and after the years of prohibition when groups like the Women’s
Christian Temperance Union made alcohol a political issue and unpopular for a
president to imbibe.
George Washington
was said to drink a lot of Madeira. So
much, in fact, that he spent thousands of dollars on the drink over the course
of a year.
Of course, no conversation about presidents and wine would
be complete without Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was known for loving French wine,
but he also had a great appreciation for Italian wines, like Barolo. His Monticello estate had a wine cellar and
special dumb waiter just to bring wine from the cellar. He documented attempts to grow wine grapes in
Virginia and the United States.
Unfortunately, at the time, none of the vines thrived. (I think he would be so pleasantly surprised
at the booming VA wine industry today.) His vast collection of expensive and
prestigious bottles was also well documented.
Much more mysterious was the fate of many of these bottles hundreds of
years later. (Read The Billionaire’s
Vinegar to learn more about whether one of these bottles still existed to
be sold at auction—good book.)
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| The Billionaire's Vinegar--a great book on President Jefferson's wine history. |
Even if you are not headed to your Jeopardy trial,
presidential history is important. To
any wine enthusiast, presidential wine trivia can be really interesting. From Madeira to Michigan, enjoy the wines of
the presidents with a glass for yourself today.
Happy President’s Day!
