Jefferson and Wine

Throughout his life Thomas Jefferson was an advocate of the virtues of wine, arguing that "no nation is drunken where wine is cheap; and none sober, where the dearness of wine substitutes ardent spirits as the common beverage."

His wine advice to merchants and friends opened channels for the importation of wine into the United States from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. To encourage the importation of wines he effectively lobbied for a reduction in U.S. taxes while serving as Secretary of State, as President, and later in retirement.

Jefferson was the most knowledgeable wine connoisseur of his age and his tastes in wine covered the world: France, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, Madeira, Portugal, Spain and, of course, America.