In the annals of recent U.S. history, amid episodes like the 2021 Capitol siege, America’s experience with unforeseen circumstances dates back to 1829. It was a time when the raucous celebration of the seventh president’s inauguration, Andrew Jackson, spun out of control for a clear reason: wine.

“At that time, anyone could enter the White House, and with alcohol, the crowd went wild at the inaugural party, damaging objects in the building,” detailed Frederick J. Ryan in an interview with EFE. Ryan, who served as chief of staff for former President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) after his tenure at the White House, reveals such secrets and anecdotes in the new edition of ‘Wine and the White House: A History,’ shedding light on the historical significance of wine in the life within the president’s official residence.

“The staff had to take alcohol to the front yard of the White House to get people out of the house,” continued the author, who was one of the creators of the Politico portal in 2007 and later served as editor and executive director of The Washington Post for a decade.

Exploring Wine’s Influence

The hefty tome aims to support the educational mission of the White House Historical Association. The author recently released a second updated edition of the work that originally hit shelves in 2020, garnering 12 national and international awards since then.

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“Wine has been used in diplomacy since the founding of the country. There are records of President George Washington drinking wine while planning the War of Independence,” affirmed Ryan from his office at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, where he currently chairs the board of trustees.

Tradition and Change

Ryan added that wine serves as “a tool of protocol and persuasion,” a hallmark of significant encounters with its own language: “Toasting, raising a glass at the table, is a way of showing respect.”

The White House has hosted presidents with great interest in the field, such as Richard Nixon and Thomas Jefferson, who meticulously noted the wines served at banquets. Ronald Reagan, as recounted by his former chief of staff to EFE, was familiar with the wine industry from his years as governor of California (1967-1975).

These profiles contrast with more recent ones, as three of the last four U.S. presidents are teetotalers: George Bush, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden do not drink, but wine continued to play a central role during their presidencies, with alternatives like fruit juice, water, or other beverages being served for toasts.

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Wine Policy at the White House

Nevertheless, Ryan clarified that the wine quantities served at these gatherings are “moderate” because hosts and guests “are about to make important decisions.”

Currently, the White House cellar shelves exclusively hold American wines in small quantities. Instead of storing thousands of bottles for years, “the president and his staff purchase wine before each special event.”

Celebrating Cultural Diversity

The final selection always features American labels to showcase that “all 50 states now have good wine.” Thus, the geographical connection with guests is established based on other aspects, such as the vintner’s origin.

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“When King Juan Carlos I of Spain visited in 2000, three different American wines produced by vintners of Spanish descent were served,” explained Ryan, offering an example while displaying the dedicated page in the book.

Paradoxically, wine remained in the White House even during the Prohibition era, leading Ryan to believe that “its presence at the presidential table will not wane,” becoming an integral part of American and global power customs.