Mar 05 2009
Thomas Jefferson’s Favorite Wine
Thomas Jefferson said that “Wine is a daily necessity for me” and visited the famed Bordeaux vineyards while he was ambassador to France. His favorite was the Chateau d’Yquem bottles. He stated that: “This is the best white wine of France and the best of it is made by Monsieur de Lur-Saluces.”
He bought 24 bottles for himself and many others for George Washington.
Controversy raged when bottles of the 1794 Chateau d’Yquem found by the collector, Rodenstock, were sold by Christies for 200,000 pounds. Evidence came to light that they were probably fake - this would have reduced the price to 2,000 pounds! The main problem was the engraving on the bottles. Jefferson’s estate said that he never engraved his bottles and, if he did write his initials, he signed them differently. The engraving may have been done by a modern tool.
There were law cases about the wine and the story of Jefferson’s wine has inspired a book and a new film which will probably star Will Smith.
