If you love wine, history,
and formal dinners, you are going to love the book Wine and the White House: A History by Frederick J. Ryan,
Jr. I fell in love with this stunning book filled with
interesting anecdotes about the Presidents of the United States of
America from President George Washington through President
Donald Trump, and provides an in-depth look at the history of wine
served at the White House through the years. For gastronomy
lovers, the book is also interesting as it includes menus from the dinners and
the wines that accompanied each of the courses. More than a gorgeous coffee
table book, it is also a wonderful reference book for yourself or to give as a
gift.
Wine and the White House: A
History by Frederick J. Ryan, Jr. is truly a treasure of a book.
Beautifully written with gorgeous photographs and illustrations, the 456 glossy
page book kept me enthralled from cover to cover. The book has interesting stories
about the Presidents, fabulous wine quotes, and photographs of the stunning glassware
and wine accoutrements used that collectors would love to add to add to their
collections.
Author Frederick J. Ryan has spent
a lifetime learning about wine and White House history and brings his vast
knowledge to this book. He "currently serves as the chairman of the Board of
Directors of the White House Historical Association, of the Board of Trustees
of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and of the Wine Committee of the
Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C." He resides in Washington, D.C. with his
wife Genevieve.
The book has seven chapters
designed to educate, engage and enthrall beginning with Chapter 1: The
Presidents and Their Wines, Chapter 2: The Selection, Storage, and
Service of Wine, Chapter 3: From French Beginnings to Virginia and Beyond,
Chapter 4: The White House Collection, Chapter 5: Presidential Toasts,
Chapter 6: On the Menu, and Chapter 7: The Wines Served: A Catalog of
Vintages.
If you are ever at a loss of words
for how to give a formal toast, perhaps you might find inspiration in Chapter
5: Presidential Toasts. As a dedicated foodie, I loved Chapter 6:
On the Menu, as I like to keep menus from fine dining evenings spent at renowned
restaurants and for special events, as well as dinners for family and friends at
my home, so I especially appreciated the historical menus and wine pairings and
seeing how the food and wine culture has changed and evolved through the years.
Chapter 6 is dedicated to menus and
includes to whom the dinner or luncheon was in honor of as well as lists the
food and wine pairings. The first menu is from an April 19, 1877 dinner held by
President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes at the State Dinner for the Grand Duke
Alexis, son of the Russian czar, and the last menu is a September 20, 2019 Rose
Garden State Dinner honoring Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia held by
President and Mrs. Trump. The book has more than 100 menus so that if you are
ever in need of inspiration for a special dinner party, there is plenty of
inspiration to be found in this book.
Oenophiles will especially
appreciate Chapter 7: The Wines Served, A Catalog of Vintages, which
begins with the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) listing dates
and wines served, and ends with the dates and wines served during the Presidency
of Donald J. Trump (2017 - ).
Whether you or a special someone
loves learning about American history, exceptional wines or fine dining
cuisine, Wine and the White House: A History by Frederick J. Ryan, Jr.,
is sure to please. "In vino veritas - in wine there is truth." - Pliny the
Elder
Wine and
the White House: A History by Frederick J. Ryan, Jr. published
by White House Historical Association. October 2020. Hardcover, 456 pages with
illustrations: $55.00.
ISBN: 978-1-950273-07-2
"All income
from the sale of Wine and the White House: A History is wholly dedicated to
support the work and educational mission of the White House Historical
Association. The Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline
Kennedy as the independent, non-profit partner of the White House to enhance
the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Executive Mansion."
The book is available for
purchase from The White House Historical Association via their website: https://shop.whitehousehistory.org/products/whitehousewine
or by calling them at 1-800-555-2451.
For more information on The White
House Historical Association please visit their website at www.WhiteHouseHistory.org
Follow The
White House Historical Association on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/WhiteHouseHistory
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