Bush serves Newton, Peter Michael, Schramsberg at Queen's dinner

[Robin Garr]

In case you've been wondering, it was an all-American wine selection for Elizabeth II at the White House ...

<b>Menu for the Dinner in Honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh</b>

Spring Pea Soup with Fernleaf Lavender
Chive Pizzelle with American Caviar

<b>Newton Chardonnay “Unfiltered” 2004</b>

Dover Sole Almondine
Roasted Artichokes, Pequillo Peppers and Olives

Saddle of Spring Lamb
Chanterelle Sauce
Fricassee of Baby Vegetables

<b>Peter Michael “Les Pavots” 2003</b>

Arugula, Savannah Mustard
and Mint Romaine
Champagne Dressing and Trio of Farmhouse Cheeses

“Rose Blossoms”

<b>Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2004</b>

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases ... 507-9.html

One wonders what he drank?

One wonders what he drank?

Yellow Tail Shirazzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

I think that it is always All-American at the white house (Since Nixon?). Man, If I were President it would be nothing but Krug, DRC, and Egon Mueller, with smatterings of Puligny-Montrachet and Achleiten GV. What better to spend taxpayer dollars on?

I think that it is always All-American at the white house (Since Nixon?). Man, If I were President it would be nothing but Krug, DRC, and Egon Mueller, with smatterings of Puligny-Montrachet and Achleiten GV. What better to spend taxpayer dollars on?

Egggzaactly! For small gatherings, but not for big events, though!!!

Champagne Dressing

Presumably something slipped through under the grandfather rule?

[Robin Garr]

Champagne Dressing

Presumably something slipped through under the grandfather rule?

Since my political preferences are well-known, Steve, I'm going to be discreet and pass on this easy target.

[Robin Garr]

I think that it is always All-American at the white house (Since Nixon?).

Nixon was certainly the last wine geek to reside there, and perhaps one of the most serious wine enthusiasts to sit as president after Thomas Jefferson. And he was assuredly into fine French wine. I'm almost certain it was Reagan who set the all-American policy, not because he was a wine geek but because he was a Californian.

[Robin Garr]

Yellow Tail Shirazzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

Since the gent professes to be a teetotaler, Paulo (although quite a few videos floating around suggest at least occasional backsliding), I expect he drank iced tea or water at this major public event.

<b>Drunk or sober? You decide.</b>

I guess we now have to find out which wines the Queen served at Tuesdays dinner at the British embassy!

[David M. Bueker]

I guess we now have to find out which wines the Queen served at Tuesdays dinner at the British embassy!

Kentish Pinot Noir!

I'm almost certain it was Reagan who set the all-American policy, not because he was a wine geek but because he was a Californian.

Robin,

My recollection was that the policy started earlier (maybe under Carter), so I did a quick check of the web. According to this article in The Wine News, the "American wines only at official functions" policy started under Lyndon Johnson. So if you trust their reporting...

[David M. Bueker]

I'm never one to be an apologist for politicians (especially GWB), but what's wrong with the policy? Surely it makes sense to present some quality American wines at a state dinner in America.

No matter how anybody perosnally feels about California Chardonnay or Cabernet styles, I can't see the reason for even any hidden snickering at this. And as for the "Champagne dressing" I'm willing to bet there wasn't a drop of real Champagne in it.

[Robin Garr]

My recollection was that the policy started earlier (maybe under Carter), so I did a quick check of the web. According to this article in The Wine News, the "American wines only at official functions" policy started under Lyndon Johnson. So if you trust their reporting...

I don't doubt their reporting, Steve, but Tricky Dick absolutely served French wines. Remember the famous story about him having Margaux poured for himself from a napkin-covered bottle while his guests enjoyed "lesser" Bordeaux? Maybe LBJ started the practice, Nixon abandoned it, and Reagan (or Carter) put it back?

I do recall news coverage at the time of Reagan's inauguration about his decision to serve only US wines in the White House, and it was presented as news.

[Robin Garr]

I'm never one to be an apologist for politicians (especially GWB), but what's wrong with the policy? Surely it makes sense to present some quality American wines at a state dinner in America.

No matter how anybody perosnally feels about California Chardonnay or Cabernet styles, I can't see the reason for even any hidden snickering at this.

Unless I'm missing something, David, I didn't see or hear any snickering about that. The snickering was mostly about the idea of the Bush White House serving fine wine at all, maybe. And at the use of "Champagne" for American bubbly ...

Robin,

That's why I raised the issue of their reporting, which could be incomplete or even incorrect (as could the reports about what his guests were drinking when Nixon was sneaking Margaux). I suppose you'd have to look through the old menus in the National Archives to figure out what really was served when.

Kentish Pinot Noir!

More likely to be Sussex, with both Nyetimber and Ridgeview.

Nyetimber would be a diplomatic choice since it was founded by an American couple.

As a Briton, I think it is absolutely normal that the White House serves a selection of world-class American wines to its guests, including our Queen. These particular wines are not on my radar screen and I hope that the choice was not that of GWB, a teetotaler, but of some competent person so as to ensure their quality.

I am certain that the Presidents of France and Italy and the King of Spain would never serve any but national wines. (The socialist Mayor of Paris now has a problem for municipal banquets because, in an idiotic egalitarian gesture, he had the Town Hall's superb cellar auctioned off!)

On the other hand Tony Blair was fairly criticised, I think by Merkel and Berlusconi, when he served some English wines to EU heads; not because of the wines' country of origin but because of their mediocre quality.

[David M. Bueker]

Well I can say that personal preferences aside, the wines that were served are all of high reputation.

Kentish Pinot Noir!

More likely to be Sussex, with both Nyetimber and Ridgeview.

No, I think Kentish was right Peter... http://www.conservapedia.com/Wine
For more enlightenment on English wine, follow through on the Champagne link

[Robin Garr]

http://www.conservapedia.com/Wine

With all respect, I don't think that particular wiki is anyplace near ready for prime time.

[Jenise]

And at the use of "Champagne" for American bubbly ...

Not to be overly picky, especially when we're talking the Bush Whitehouse, but unless I missed something this isn't the case. They listed the Schramsberg brut, and separately mentioned a champagne dressing for the salad which could easily have been made with an easily available "champagne vinegar".

[Robin Garr]

Not to be overly picky, especially when we're talking the Bush Whitehouse, but unless I missed something this isn't the case. They listed the Schramsberg brut, and separately mentioned a champagne dressing for the salad which could easily have been made with an easily available "champagne vinegar".

You're correct, of course: Steve raised the issue by questioning whether there was "champagne" in the salad. (Aside: I wonder whether there's capital-C Champagne in most of the commercial vinegars that bear the name - or whether the treaty even applies.)

[Jenise]

(Aside: I wonder whether there's capital-C Champagne in most of the commercial vinegars that bear the name - or whether the treaty even applies.)

Wondered the same thing as I typed it. I'll have to check out some bottles next time I'm shopping where such things are sold.