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 Korbel Natural Special Inaugural Cuvée ‘California Champagne’ NV was served in Magnum bottles with dessert whereas the seated guests were poured J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay 2013 produced in San Jose from the Arroyo Seco AVA of Monterey County. The Main Course was accompanied by Cabernet Sauvignon from Delicato Family Vineyards’ Black Stallion 2012, limited release, from Napa Valley. There were no wines from the Trump Winery in Virginia, being run by his son Eric Trump.
Given a choice, President Trump might have avoided serving his own wines due to conflict of interest, but the wine selection is entrusted to a six-member Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. The selection process had nothing to do with the candidates in the race and began months before the general election. The Committee approached the Wine Institute, the California wine industry’s advocacy and public policy group, for recommendations.
The Institute in turn, approached member wineries J. Lohr and Black Stallion days before the election about donating two cases of wine. Margie Healy of Korbel is the Chairperson of the Wine Institute. Her winery’s ‘California Champagne’ in Guerneville has already been served at eight inaugurations and she had already been in discussions with the inaugural committee to serve her wines. Steve Lohr and Chris Indelicato are the Vice-Chairmen and getting their concurrence was easy and hence Californian wines they were!
Korbel Natural 'Special Inaugural Cuvée', the off-dry bubbly from the Russian River Valley was paired with the dessert, apple cinnamon sponge cake and sweet cream glacé. Korbel has been making sparkling wine for 128 years and is allowed to call it California Champagne –according to the US Agreement with the EU under the Grandfather Clause. It was the preferred bubbly during Kennedy's years at the White House, when it was simply known as Champagne.
Last time when Korbel was served 4-years ago at the Obama Inaugural Lunch, it had sparked off protests by the Champagne Bureau in Washington DC. A repeat of that may be expected soon. Here are the retail prices of the wines served:
J. Lohr Vineyards 2013 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, $25
Black Stallion Estate Winery 2012 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $60
Korbel NV Natural “Special Inaugural Cuvée” California Champagne: $15
The winery produced 15 magnums (1.5 liters) especially for the inauguration- not for sale. A similar Korbel sparkling wine was served at Obama’s inauguration four years ago and led to a letter of complaint from the Champagne Bureau. The current Menu threatens to re-kindle that dispute.
The Indian Connect
This brings to attention our long-time stance that Indian wines should be served at State Banquets and other such functions. Donald Trump is a teetotaller and could have put a stop to the practice of wines paired with food. But it is a diplomatic event and the American Presidents have been helping to promote the domestic wine industry through such functions. The Indian government could issue a whip that Indian guests were not to imbibe wine being served at such events. It might be considered puerile, but it could shut the mouths of anti-alcohol moral police and yet achieve the purpose of showcasing the Indian wines to the whole world through the media reporting such events.
To that Utopian thought, I would even raise a glass of water and say, Jai Ho!!
For earlier related Articles, please visit:
French to Fume at Obama Inaugural Lunch
California Wines for Obama Inaugural Lunch
Subhash Arora |