President Trump's recent visit to Japan took an interesting turn when California wines made their way onto the menu at a presidential dinner hosted by newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The unusual choice was not just a novelty, but rather a deliberate selection made by George Glass, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
Glass opted for three specific bottles of wine: Freeman Winery's 2022 Akiko’s Cuvée Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast, Schramsberg's 2021 North Coast Blanc de Noirs, and Far Niente's 2023 Chardonnay from Napa Valley. The winemaker behind these selections is none other than Akiko Freeman, who was born in Japan and holds a prestigious award for agricultural excellence.
Freeman's wines have been featured at high-profile events before, including a luncheon hosted by former Vice President Kamala Harris to celebrate the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This latest appearance marks another milestone in her career as the first woman to receive such an honor from the Agricultural Society of Japan.
It's worth noting that the selection of California wines for White House dinners is not a new trend. As noted by author Frederick J. Ryan Jr., President George H.W. Bush Sr. played a significant role in implementing this policy, which has remained in place to this day.
The presence of these California wines at the U.S. Embassy dinner suggests that Glass and Trump were looking for something unique and special to serve during their meeting with Japanese business leaders. While it's unclear exactly why Freeman's Cuvée Pinot Noir was chosen, its inclusion on the menu highlights the growing influence of American wine in Japan and the country's increasing interest in California's finest vintages.
				
			Glass opted for three specific bottles of wine: Freeman Winery's 2022 Akiko’s Cuvée Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast, Schramsberg's 2021 North Coast Blanc de Noirs, and Far Niente's 2023 Chardonnay from Napa Valley. The winemaker behind these selections is none other than Akiko Freeman, who was born in Japan and holds a prestigious award for agricultural excellence.
Freeman's wines have been featured at high-profile events before, including a luncheon hosted by former Vice President Kamala Harris to celebrate the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This latest appearance marks another milestone in her career as the first woman to receive such an honor from the Agricultural Society of Japan.
It's worth noting that the selection of California wines for White House dinners is not a new trend. As noted by author Frederick J. Ryan Jr., President George H.W. Bush Sr. played a significant role in implementing this policy, which has remained in place to this day.
The presence of these California wines at the U.S. Embassy dinner suggests that Glass and Trump were looking for something unique and special to serve during their meeting with Japanese business leaders. While it's unclear exactly why Freeman's Cuvée Pinot Noir was chosen, its inclusion on the menu highlights the growing influence of American wine in Japan and the country's increasing interest in California's finest vintages.
 So I think this is a great move by the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, to feature California wines at the presidential dinner
 So I think this is a great move by the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, to feature California wines at the presidential dinner  . It's not just about bringing some good wine to the table, it's also about showing respect for American culture and business
. It's not just about bringing some good wine to the table, it's also about showing respect for American culture and business  . And let's be real, who doesn't love a good Pinot Noir?
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good Pinot Noir?  Akiko Freeman's 2022 Cuvée Pinot Noir from West Sonoma Coast sounds like a real showstopper - I'd love to try it out
 Akiko Freeman's 2022 Cuvée Pinot Noir from West Sonoma Coast sounds like a real showstopper - I'd love to try it out  .
. . It just goes to show how the country's palate has evolved and that there's more interest than ever in American wine
. It just goes to show how the country's palate has evolved and that there's more interest than ever in American wine  . And it's not just about the wine, it's also about the business and trade opportunities that come with it
. And it's not just about the wine, it's also about the business and trade opportunities that come with it  .
. . The fact that Akiko Freeman was born in Japan and holds an award for agricultural excellence makes her wines all the more special
. The fact that Akiko Freeman was born in Japan and holds an award for agricultural excellence makes her wines all the more special  . It's a real testament to the growing influence of American wine in Japan and the country's increasing interest in California's finest vintages
. It's a real testament to the growing influence of American wine in Japan and the country's increasing interest in California's finest vintages  .
. . And who knows, maybe we'll see even more California wines making an appearance at high-profile events in the future
. And who knows, maybe we'll see even more California wines making an appearance at high-profile events in the future  .
. I just saw this thread about President Trump's dinner party and I'm dying to chime in... I mean, who wouldn't want to see California wines on the menu at a presidential dinner?
 I just saw this thread about President Trump's dinner party and I'm dying to chime in... I mean, who wouldn't want to see California wines on the menu at a presidential dinner?  So like, this Akiko Freeman person is literally a winemaker superstar? I'm genuinely interested how she even got involved with these high-profile events, it's pretty cool that she reps both the US and Japan with her wines
 So like, this Akiko Freeman person is literally a winemaker superstar? I'm genuinely interested how she even got involved with these high-profile events, it's pretty cool that she reps both the US and Japan with her wines  I'm all for supporting the American wine industry, but what about the Japanese wine scene? Don't they have some amazing stuff too?
 I'm all for supporting the American wine industry, but what about the Japanese wine scene? Don't they have some amazing stuff too?  . Maybe next time, let's see some sake or something
. Maybe next time, let's see some sake or something  ?
? . It just looks like a bunch of rich people drinking expensive wine while politicians pretend to be interested in each other's business. And what's with the selection process being so opaque? Who exactly chose this one specific bottle from that particular winery, and why didn't they just go with something more generic?
. It just looks like a bunch of rich people drinking expensive wine while politicians pretend to be interested in each other's business. And what's with the selection process being so opaque? Who exactly chose this one specific bottle from that particular winery, and why didn't they just go with something more generic? 
 California wines at a presidential dinner?
 California wines at a presidential dinner?  Her wines have been featured at some high-profile events, and now she's got her foot in the White House door...
 Her wines have been featured at some high-profile events, and now she's got her foot in the White House door...  What's next? A Trump winery label?
 What's next? A Trump winery label? 
 ! It's like, a major step up from the usual water or soda, you know? And Akiko Freeman's wines are straight fire
! It's like, a major step up from the usual water or soda, you know? And Akiko Freeman's wines are straight fire  I'm loving this move by Glass & Trump! California wines getting a shoutout at the embassy dinner is like, super cool
 I'm loving this move by Glass & Trump! California wines getting a shoutout at the embassy dinner is like, super cool  ! It's a great representation of how Japanese culture is embracing American flavors & styles. Can we talk about how awesome it is that Trump's dinner menu included some serious Napa Valley vibes?
! It's a great representation of how Japanese culture is embracing American flavors & styles. Can we talk about how awesome it is that Trump's dinner menu included some serious Napa Valley vibes? 

 can u believe that japan just served california wines at a presidential dinner!!! it's like, totally awesome
 can u believe that japan just served california wines at a presidential dinner!!! it's like, totally awesome  and now she gets to serve wine at white house dinners?!?!? life is good for akiko!!
 and now she gets to serve wine at white house dinners?!?!? life is good for akiko!! 
 i'm kinda obsessed now i mean what even is a good matcha flavor tho? like do you go for classic green tea or try something with strawberry or mango? personally i'm all about that black sesame
 i'm kinda obsessed now i mean what even is a good matcha flavor tho? like do you go for classic green tea or try something with strawberry or mango? personally i'm all about that black sesame 
 . Like, did the US Embassy research Japanese wine tastes before choosing California? And what's up with this whole "special" thing? Is it just to impress the business leaders or is there something more to it?
. Like, did the US Embassy research Japanese wine tastes before choosing California? And what's up with this whole "special" thing? Is it just to impress the business leaders or is there something more to it? 
 . But what I find interesting is that Akiko Freeman's Cuvée Pinot Noir was picked
. But what I find interesting is that Akiko Freeman's Cuvée Pinot Noir was picked  . Born in Japan, she's a total underdog who made it big
. Born in Japan, she's a total underdog who made it big  and now her wines are being served to world leaders? That’s some next level stuff
 and now her wines are being served to world leaders? That’s some next level stuff  . Plus, it shows Japan's growing interest in Cali wine – I guess you could say they're "crush"-ing it
. Plus, it shows Japan's growing interest in Cali wine – I guess you could say they're "crush"-ing it  . Not sure about the reasons behind this choice but if American wine is popular in Japan, more power to it
. Not sure about the reasons behind this choice but if American wine is popular in Japan, more power to it