In honor of President’s Day, I thought it would be fun to take a look at what wines US presidents sipped, and how some used the fruit of the vine as a diplomatic lubricante. Let’s start with George Washington.
President Washington is said to have had a special affinity for Madeira – a Portuguese fortified, dessert wine that he drank throughout his life. He also attempted to plant vines at his estate at Mount Vernon, but that agricultural venture was interrupted by the Revolutionary War. Later, during his presidency, Washington also enjoyed Champagne and he often used it at state dinners.
John Adams supposedly started every day with a pitcher of hard cider. He apparently enjoyed other alcoholic beverages,including wine, and supposedly finished each day with glasses of Madeira.
Thomas Jefferson was probably the most astute wine connoisseur of all the presidents and his love, particularly of Bordeaux, is well documented. According to National Public Radio, Jefferson drank mostly Port, Sherries and occasional red wines before he was sent to France in 1784 to get that country’s assistance during our fight for independance. There, he developed a life-long love of French wines, including the aforementioned Bordeaux as well as Burgundies, Champagne and Rhône wines.
James Monroe apparently liked wine a little too much and his administration was scandalized when more than one thousand bottles of imported wine were billed by him as congressional furniture. James Buchanan and Ulysses S Grant were perhaps the most prolific drinkers among all the presidents, and wine may have taken a back seat to whiskey and other spirits.
Fast forward to the administrations of presidents in the 20th and 21st centuries. Wine has often played an important role in international diplomacy. President Richard M. Nixon used the growing credibility of the California wine industry to diplomatic advantage. When Nixon established diplomatic relations with communist China in 1972, he toasted the Chinese Premier with Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs from Napa Valley.
President Obama often used Quilceda Creek at State dinners
President Ronald Reagan, a resident of the Golden State, really enjoyed and promoted California wine. One of his favorite wines was Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. He also was the first president to use zinfandel (up until then considered an inferior grape) at a White House dinner. When First Lady Nancy Regan expressed her approval of Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, sales of that wine went through the roof. And President Regan reportedly toasted the end of the Cold War with Russian president Gorbachev by lifting a glass of Iron Horse Sonoma County sparkling wine.
While three of the four 21st-century presidents—George W. Bush, Donald J.Trump, and Joe Biden—are teetotalers, they all continued to use wines made from America grapes at White House functions. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also used wine extensively at celebrations and for state dinners. President Obama often used Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington state.
So, wine lovers, no matter what your political affiliation, you can rest assured that your favorite president joins you in the appreciation of wine. Unless you’re a fan of Bush, Biden or Trump.
John Brown is also a novelist. His latest book – Augie’s Wine – has just been released and is now available to order at his website wordsbyjohnbrown.com. His first two books– Augie’s War and Augie’s World – are also available online and at bookstores around the state. You can find out more about his novels, and review all of his archived Vines & Vittles columns at wordsbyjohnbrown.com