A professional tastes Trump wines

[Jenise]

In 2011, Donald Trump bought a Virginia winery. In this article, a professional tastes four Trump wines.

http://vinepair.com/wine-blog/we-tried-some-bottles-from-donald-trumps-virginia-winery

The Trumpenkorpers were out in force whining in the comments about the (amusing and honest?) review. Eek!

[David M. Bueker]

Grapes are a problem for Trump winery. As the Kluge winery the wines were mediocre at best, and the grape sources have not changed. The area right around Monticello is home to numerous wineries based on tradition, not because it's the best place in VA to grow grapes. Go north 30 miles or so, and there are much better locations.

At least the prices are not outrageous. There are plenty of VA wineries selling bad wine for $45-$50.

I was very impressed with the pristine state of the Kluge/Trump vineyards. Not a leaf or blade of grass out of place. But not so with the resulting wines.

But if you include Barboursville Vineyards in your criticism of Monticello appellation I must (respectfully) disagree with you.

[David M. Bueker]

I do not include Barboursville. That is the location 30 miles north I am specifically thinking of.

I have tasted widely and for many years (almost 30) in the Virginia wine regions, and the area right around Charlottesville is largely mediocre. The vineyards are lovely. The wines not so much as you say.

[Robin Garr]

Aside ...

"A spokesperson for the winery says that Donald Trump does not drink."

This makes me trust him even less. Is this widely known, but just not by me?

Is being a teetotaller an image helpful to his election ambitions?

[Robin Garr]

Is being a teetotaller an image helpful to his election ambitions?

It's not a common thing in national politics. Thinking back, I remember Jimmy Carter as a teetotaler based on his religious beliefs in the Southern Baptist tradition; and George W. Bush was open about his condition as a recovering alcoholic.

Most 20th century politicians have been open about their use of adult beverages, though, and a few, including Truman and LBJ, weren't the least apologetic about it. Reagan, also, made it a point to break the long tradition of serving French wines at White House dinners. The Reagan White House, I believe, went all-California, although they may have made exceptions to honor visiting dignitaries from other nations.

[Jenise]

Is being a teetotaller an image helpful to his election ambitions?

I've wondered about that myself. It probably helps the evangelicals go the stretch--and stretch they need to--to believe that Trump is the church-going Christian he vaguely claims to be. I read something last night about him showing up at a church recently and not comprehending the passing of the contribution basket. He obviously hadn't been near a church EVER.

[Jenise]

I do not include Barboursville. That is the location 30 miles north I am specifically thinking of.

I have tasted widely and for many years (almost 30) in the Virginia wine regions, and the area right around Charlottesville is largely mediocre. The vineyards are lovely. The wines not so much as you say.

I believe your last sentence above, David, is one of those examples of where a comma makes all the difference in the world. I believe you meant to say "The wines not so much, as you say." Without the comma, the sentence reads opposite.

[David M. Bueker]

True. I was obviously typing too quickly.

Is being a teetotaller an image helpful to his election ambitions?

I've wondered about that myself. It probably helps the evangelicals go the stretch--and stretch they need to--to believe that Trump is the church-going Christian he vaguely claims to be..

I would imagine so. Plus with the increasing intensity and 24-hour commitment of the Presidency, it seems like the public now expects it to literally be a full-time job, with no vacation and no time for brain cell-killing leisure like wine.

[David M. Bueker]

Or eating.

Or going to the bathroom.

[Robin Garr]

I would imagine so. Plus with the increasing intensity and 24-hour commitment of the Presidency, it seems like the public now expects it to literally be a full-time job, with no vacation and no time for brain cell-killing leisure like wine.

I'm not so sure, though. Even with all the racially inspired hate that flows Obama's way, not many heads exploded over his "beer summit." And St. Ronald received no exorcisms for favoring California wine.

I'm not so sure, though. Even with all the racially inspired hate that flows Obama's way, not many heads exploded over his "beer summit." And St. Ronald received no exorcisms for favoring California wine.

It was just a flippant impression of mine. But the beer summit was a 5 minute photo-op and Reagan was 30+ years ago before the cable news cycles.

As a counterpoint, witness the outrage every time the President takes a 'vacation'.

[Robin Garr]

As a counterpoint, witness the outrage every time the President takes a 'vacation'.

Generally, that's the other party's president, though ...