Wines for state dinner for King Charles

The wines accompanying the meal for the evening were chosen to honor "the shared heritage and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and [celebrate] the strength of American winemaking today." They included the Hopkins Riesling “Heritage” 2024 by Hopkins Vineyards, the Penner-Ash Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” 2022, by Penner-Ash Wine Cellars and the Newton Chardonnay “Unfiltered” 2022, by Newton Vineyard.

What? No Ripple?

-Paul W.

[David M. Bueker]

The Riesling was from a Connecticut winery. Go figure.

[Jenise]

Penner Ash? They are well made wines but in the fat, ultra new world ripe/sweet/big oak style. Not a fan and that's just about the last Oregon PN I'd serve to European palates. What were they thinking?

The guy mostly drinks Laphroig and gin, and I'm a bit skeptical about European palates among non-wine people.
But with the shared heritage comments it makes me wonder if there's an Anglo- connection at those wineries. I remember when Macron came there was a dinner where the American still wines all had French winemakers, and sparkler was Roederer Estate

[Jenise]

Penner Ash is now a Jess Jackson property. Any connection there?

Penner Ash? They are well made wines but in the fat, ultra new world ripe/sweet/big oak style. Not a fan and that's just about the last Oregon PN I'd serve to European palates. What were they thinking?

Washington Post published the guest list. Take a look and you'll be hard-pressed to identify a European palate.

[Jenise]

Hi Bob! Even so, though, it's only the royal guests' palates that matter. There are many Oregon pinots that aren't trying to be European but aren't overtly big, sappyand alcoholic. Penner Ash is an extreme. There was no need for a choice like that, even though extreme best fits the Trump dynamic!

"The vineyard is situated on land purchased by Revolutionary War veteran Elijah Hopkins, symbolizing the transformation from fighting a king to hosting one."

"Newton Vineyard was founded in 1977 by Peter Newton, a British expatriate, making it a fitting choice for a dinner honoring British royalty."

No one can explain why they served Penner-Ash.

[Jenise]

No one can explain why they served Penner-Ash.

Maybe Jess Jackson is a Trumper.

[David M. Bueker]

Hi Bob! Even so, though, it's only the royal guests' palates that matter. There are many Oregon pinots that aren't trying to be European but aren't overtly big, sappyand alcoholic. Penner Ash is an extreme. There was no need for a choice like that, even though extreme best fits the Trump dynamic!

Do you know what kinds of wines the king and queen enjoy?

[Jenise]

No idea. But of course French would be what they're used to, they inherited the Queen's cellar.

Apparently she did like Champagne, but mostly drank gin and Dubonnet and sweet Alsace/German.