Stumbled Across This Article on Napa Vineyards...Didn't Know That

[Guest SUNTZU]

Wines & Vines - Wine Industry News Headlines - Calistoga Wineries Celebrate New AVA

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Sensing that this was going to take more resources than he had, Barrett called on friends including the town of Calistoga and its Chamber of Commerce, local politicians and the powerful Napa Valley Vintners Association. “If it says ‘Napa’ on the bottle, the grapes have to come from Napa, noted NVV executive director Linda Reiff. “And the same thing is true for Calistoga.â€

He also called local Congressman Thompson, who chairs the Congressional Wine Caucus as well as being a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Select Subcommittee on Intelligence. Thompson lives in nearby St. Helena. Thompson even owns a 20-acre vineyard and is so popular that the local Republican establishment won’t support opposition candidates.

Thompson reports that the TTB told him that it would do things their way. The then-Treasury Secretary reportedly said he didn’t drink and didn’t care about the issue. Fortunately, the administration changed, and new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner better understood and appreciated the situation.

Thompson also called in Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who owns a small vineyard in St. Helena with her husband Paul, as well as Sens. Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, and President Barack Obama, who had honeymooned in Napa Valley. The wine steward in the White House, Daniel Shanks, used to live in Napa Valley and manage the restaurant at Domaine Chandon.

It turns out that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel exercises at 5 a.m. in the House Gym with Thompson three times a week. “Rahm likes wine a lot,†Thompson said.

Thompson also mobilized the Congressional Wine Caucus, while other wine regions from around the world lent support.

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[mcurrier]

I have always disliked Kalifornia wines anyhow. I never buy them. Napa, schmapa.

The best American wines come from Virginia, which is where wine making in this country started anyhow. The wines from the Blue Ridge Mountains and Charlottesville area are very similar to those of the Piedmont area in Italy as the climate and altitude are similar. Thomas Jefferson brought an Italian vinekeeper over from Italy to start his vineyard. Some of the best wine in the country comes from Barboursville Vineyards just outside of Charlottesville. My wife and I make several trips per year to stock up on Virginia wines.

Little known fact - In the late 19th century France experienced a fungus that wiped out all of there grape vines. America supplied them with grape vines to replace their vineyards. So, technically/semantically, if you have had an aversion to drinking French wines in the past, cheer up, because the French wine you could be drinking may really be American wine.

French Phylloxera Epidemic: Largest Disaster in the History of Wine

[Guest SUNTZU]

I didn't know that either. Thanks for the link!

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Wine seems excellent for causing severe heartburn. Surpassed only by champagne.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Especially those from Pelosi Vineyards.

[Guest HOT_BRASS]

Especially those from Pelosi Vineyards.

She easily makes Vinegar with her hot air.

Pass the Tums,....please.

[Guest db99wj]

She easily makes Vinegar with her hot air.

Pass the Tums,....please.

I just sharted.