Within two weeks of arriving in Paris as the ambassador to France in 1784, he had purchased 276 bottles of wine, primarily Bordeaux vintages. For nearly half a century, Jefferson attempted to grow wine grapes at Monticello with little success. Interestingly, the land has recently been restored as a vineyard, planted with French and Italian grape varieties, and named Jefferson Vineyards. By keeping taxes on wine low, Jefferson hoped to make America a wine-drinking nation. He also loved Burgundies, Rhone wines, Spanish sherry, and a whole host of Portuguese wines.
Madeira wines are among the world's longest-lived, and often take on a nutty character with age.
Malmsey with the ordinary Madeira. In September 1791 the western counties of Pennsylvania brokeout in rebellion against a federal excise tax on the distillation of whiskey. After local and federal officials were attacked, President Washington and his advisors decided to send troops to pacify the region. It was further decided that militia troops, rather than regulars, would be sent. The New Jersey units marched from Trenton to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.