Who was George Washington’s Sommelier?
Here’s an excuse to drink wine for President’s Day
You may ask why we need to know who Washington chose as his Sommelier. Well, this mystery person understood climate and soil better than just about anyone in the 18th century. He used his expertise as a farmer to learn all he could about wine. He proclaimed that the United States would compete with Europe in the world of high-quality wine long before the Judgement of Paris took place in California in the 1970s.
So, maybe you’re not impressed with this mystery man’s knowledge of farming and wine. But, how about if you knew that he was also Washington’s Secretary of State at the same time he conducted his Sommelier duties? By now, you probably figured out that this man also became the third president of the United States. Yes, Thomas Jefferson also served as Washington’s Sommelier as he performed his Secretary of State duties.
Jefferson may get the credit for enhancing Washington’s life with his knowledge and attention to good wine. But even before the American Revolution started, England was eyeing the New World for its potentially high-producing vineyards, and British Empire required the colony farmers to plant grapevines.
