President Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and their wives will come together for a state dinner Tuesday night that features spring lamb, créme fraîche ice cream, and a wine list that’s meant to “embody the historic friendship between the United States and France.”
The elaborate meal will be served on fine china from the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, and will include Carolina gold rice jambalaya and French-inspired dishes like goat cheese gateau and brunt cipolline soubise, a sauce made from onions.
The White House described three wines that will be served:
- The Domaine Serene Chardonnay “Evenstad Reserve” 2015 is the product of American and French collaboration — a combination of French plants from Dijon that thrive in the volcanic Oregon soil and colder temperatures. The wine was aged in 40 percent French oak barrels for more than 12 months.
- The Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir “Laurène” 2014 — This wine uses the motto “French soul–Oregon soil.” The grapes at Domaine Drouhin are harvested and sorted by hand and fermented in French Oak barrels.
- Schramsberg Demi-Sec “Crémant” has been served in the White House for official and ceremonial events many times over the years. The subtle sweetness and creamy effervescence of the 2014 vintage is the perfect accompaniment for a nectarine tart.
The Trumps will welcome the Macrons to Washington Monday for a multi-day visit that will include bilateral talks, a visit to George Washington’s historic Mount Vernon estate, and Tuesday’s state dinner.
Unlike past state dinners, which dozens of lawmakers and high-profile journalists were invited to attend, Trump and Macron will be joined by 500 members of the U.S. military and just three Republican lawmakers.
The two leaders and their wives are also set to participate in a tree-planting ceremony on Monday afternoon.
