Choosing a wine to celebrate today’s inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th U.S. president was easy – American bubbly was called for, of course. This morning I selected several of my favorites and put them on the patio (our “walk-out” fridge) to share with our guests who were coming for an inaugural brunch and to watch all the speechifying in warmth and comfort. I chose a Kluge 2005 SP Blanc de Blancs from Virginia for a local, regional theme, and an Iron Horse 2004 Classic Vintage Cuvée.
But for the noontime toast to our new president, the most appropriate was Domaine Carneros Le Rêve 2001. A wine named “the dream” summed up our thrill and our hopes in this historic occasion, as the nation embraced its new young president. (The first to be younger than I am, which is hard enough to swallow, so the wine had to be good!)
All three wines were up to the occasion. The Kluge was crisp and refreshing, showing Virginia’s potential with sparkling wine, while the Iron Horse packed its usual power and grace. The Domaine Carneros had softened with age, allowing lovely, ripe fruit flavors to emerge, a dream matured and fulfilled.
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