Both Dave McIntyre and Richard Leahy have reported at length on the advent of Trump buying the Kluge estate (one of Virginia's landmark vineyards), and saving the winery, and by extension saving the original owner, Patricia Kluge, from any further embarassment.
But at the event held at Trump Tower last week, Patricia Kluge stood, in all her absolute glory, proudly behind a table of wines that held her name. And what a well deserved and proud moment it should have been.
From here on in, the winery will be known as Trump Winery, with Eric Trump firmly ensconced as the promtoer of the brand. The very versatile Tracy Noelke is the marketing manager at Trump Winery. But the sparkling wines continue to carry the Kluge name.
And a rose, by any other name, would still smell so sweet.
I tasted two wines inspecific I was enamored of....the Blanc de Blanc and the Rose'.
The Blanc de Blanc first. This Brut is made via Méthode Champenoise with their best Chardonnay. Picking at night by hand and gently pressed to ensure that this wine retains all of its best qualities. After a combination of stainless steel and french oak barrel aging, the wine gains complexity by aging on the lees in the bottle for 22 months. As promised, the nose shows pear and fresh baked bread. Long on flavor, there is a nice creaminess, and big flavor with crisp, refreshing acidity. Deep, rich flavors. Cries our for canapes and caviar, or salmon, or any kind of food. A big wine. Fabulous!
The Rose', bone dry, is also made via Méthode Champenoise with their estate grown Chardonnay (95%) and Pinot Noir (5%). The grapes were picked at night by hand and gently pressed to ensure that this wine retains all of its best qualities. After a combination of stainless steel and french oak barrel aging, the wine gains complexity by aging on the yeast lees in the bottle for 22 months. The sparkling wine beamed with a gorgeous salmon hue. Strawberries, rose petals, and a hint of fresh baguette pop out of the glass. The crisp acidity and minerality are balanced well with the notes of red fruits that are brought by the Pinot Noir in the blend. This was also an incredibly lovely wine, an I was lacking a clever or lovely toast to riase my glass with while in Patricia's presence. Fantastic wine!
Trump Winery will no doubt be a success. The Trump brand is a strong one. But it was nice to see Patricia behind the table, statuesque in the best sense, dressed beautifully, proudly pouring her wine. A nice return to normality, if you will. Good for her. Good for Virginia wine.