When the Inaugural Luncheon planning committee was looking for wines to serve to President Obama and his guests, it was wine from California that they called upon. No doubt California's Senator Diane Feinstein being the head of the planning committee had some influence! She's been a good friend of the California wine industry on Capitol Hill.

The lunch was a three course affair, starting with a seafood stew served with a Napa Valley sauvignon blanc from Duckhorn Vineyards. Second up was a duck and pheasant dish matched with an Anderson Valley pinot noir made by Goldeneye. Finally, the sponge cake dessert was paired with a sparkling wine made especially for the inauguration by Korbel in the Russian River Valley.

Since American wines have been exclusively served at US state dinners since the era of LBJ, there's no doubt Californian wines will be called upon again soon to impress visiting dignitaries, although let's hope some of the fine products produced throughout the rest of the nation have their moment in the spotlight, too!