Inauguration committee's menu error
leaves White House blushing
note he's also holding the wine glass incorrectly
When Barack Obama sworn in for his second term as the 44th American president on January 21, the event was toasted with Korbel Russian River Valley Natural “Champagne” and the Champenois are not very happy about it.
French wine producers are irritated that the protected geographical term Champagne has been misused at the highest level.
The menu published on Wednesday by the inauguration's organizing
committee specifies that a “Special Inaugural Cuvee Champagne,
California” will be served with Hudson apple pie, sour-cream ice cream,
aged cheese and honey.
However, Sam Heitner, director of the U.S. Champagne
Bureau, protested that the menu should state it was “California
Champagne” or “Champagne of California.” The organizing committee has
agreed to change the error in time for the lunch.
Some may think the French are being oversensitive, but the wording strikes at the heart of the geographical protection laws.
Heitner explained the law was complex: “The United States have a
failing in the law which allows producers who used the word Champagne
before 2006 to continue to use it, but they have to say ‘Champagne of
California’ or ‘American Champagne’ or ‘Champagne of New York,” he said.
“The place of production has to appear just next to the term
Champagne. The way the menu is worded is not correct, nor is it legal in
the United States.”
In 2006, the European Union and the United States signed an agreement stating that “semi-generic names” like Champagne and Port could no longer be used in the U.S. unless wineries were already using the names before March 2006.
Producers like Korbel retained the right to use the word Champagne on
their labels on the condition that it was qualified with "California."
That is stated on its labels, but the inauguration committee failed to
reproduce the phrase on its menu.
This will be the eight time that Korbel's traditional-method
sparkling wine has been served at a presidential inauguration. The
company claims its wine is “America’s favorite premium champagne.” The
Korbel tradition began in 1985 with Ronald Reagan, and continued with
the inaugurations of George Bush in 1989, Bill Clinton in 1993 and 1997,
George W. Bush in 2001 and 2005, and Barack Obama’s first term in 2009.
The inauguration lunch will start with Tierce Dry Riesling from New York State's Finger Lakes
region. The riesling will be paired with a first course of steamed
lobster with New England chowder. The main course of hickory-grilled
bison with wild huckleberry reduction and red potato horseradish cake is
matched with the 2009 Bedell Cellars Merlot from Long Island.
Putting an end to the bubbling crisis, a spokesman for the inaugural organizing committee said: "The menu will say 'California Champagne.' The Champagne lobby should have a glass of their own product and relax."
Matt House, spokesman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, told AFP: "We
are proud to be serving American champagne at the inauguration, and its
location of origin will be appropriately displayed on the label and the menu in accordance with the law, and international treaties."
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