1. The Presidential Wine: Clos du Val

Clos du Val. While I haven't explicitly mentioned the name, this renowned American wine appeared in the second part of my column. The ‘Judgment of Paris,’ an ongoing historic rivalry between Old World and New World wines, witnessed European vintners suffer a defeat. And, in a rematch in 1986, the ‘Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon (1972)’ from the U.S. achieved the victory.

This wine has appeared at numerous official events thanks to the fame acquired from the ‘Judgment of Paris’ and its impeccable quality. Not only in the U.S., it has also graced state events in our country, notably making headlines when featured in the presidential inauguration banquets in 2003 and 2008. It was also the wine of choice during Bill Clinton's visit in 1998, President Bush's in 2009, and President Trump's in 2019 when they met with their South Korean counterparts. Consequently, it has solidified its reputation domestically, becoming a popular choice as a gift wine.

The CEO of Clos du Val has a personal fondness for Korean cuisine. According to him, wines made from the ‘Zinfandel’ grape pair beautifully with Korean dishes' spicy and rich flavors. Perhaps the next time a valued guest visits, why not serve the wine with Korean food, elevating their experience to that of a president?

2. The Wedding Wine of Korea's Top Star: Far Niente

The phrase ‘Dolce Far Niente’ recurs in the film “Eat, Pray, Love,” starring Julia Roberts. This Italian phrase, meaning “sweet idleness,” strikes a chord with the protagonist, who disillusioned with her ordinary life, journeys to Italy. The words, relayed by Giovanni, grant her profound insight. She learns to let go of obsessions and prioritize personal happiness over societal expectations – a revelation that resonated with many.

‘Far Niente Chardonnay’ was already a renowned wine, but its prominence in South Korea soared after its appearance at the wedding of top Korean stars Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young. Nestled in the picturesque Oakville of the Napa Valley, Far Niente Winery, even with its vibrant and romantic label, is known for producing high-quality wines. Interestingly, even this splendid winery faced a setback during the Prohibition era of the 1920s in the U.S. It was later in the 1980s when Gil Nickel acquired and revitalized the vineyard, stumbling upon the inscribed words ‘Dolce Far Niente’ on a ruined pillar. Captivated by its meaning, he named the winery Far Niente.

3. Obama, Lady Gaga, and Youn Yuh-jung

It's a misconception to assume that globally acclaimed politicians or celebrities necessarily indulge in the most expensive and luxurious wines. The brilliance of wine isn't always proportional to its price – a fact that is now widely acknowledged. Compared to the previous two introduced, the wine under discussion here is more reasonably priced, making it likely that many have encountered it. It is the ‘Kendall Jackson,’ which is said always to be prepared in Lady Gaga's dressing room during her concerts.

Kendall Jackson Winery was established in 1982. Though its history is not as long as some might presume, its meteoric rise to dominate table wine sales within the U.S. can be attributed to the founder's exceptional decisiveness and business acumen. Contrary to the conventional wine production method of land acquisition, grape cultivation, and wine manufacturing, Jackson first secured top-notch wine-making expertise. Instead of growing grapes, he purchased them for blending and wine production. As a result, he expedited the launch of his first wine from the typical 3 to 5 years down to just one. By blending various grapes from across California, the wine's quality remained consistent, irrespective of the vintage. After personally tasting it, one is reminded of the warm-region fruity and vanilla flavors of Napa Valley wines – an excellent choice that doesn't overwhelm even those new to wine.

But the success of Kendall Jackson doesn't end there. In an industry primarily targeting the middle-aged, Kendall Jackson audaciously aimed at younger demographics, focusing on producing affordable wines. They purchased grapes in bulk to make reasonably priced yet aromatic and flavorful wines, incorporating scientific blending techniques. It can be considered the genesis of ‘mass boutique’ wines.

4. The Legendary 2002 Hiddink Wine, Chateau Talbot

Chateau Talbot enjoys fame in South Korea as the ‘Hiddink Wine.’ Rewind to 2002 during the Korea-Japan World Cup, when Korea secured its place in the round of 16. Coach Hiddink mentioned in an interview, “I'd like to relax with a glass of 1998 Chateau Talbot.” Following this, sales of the wine soared in Korea, and even the winery was taken aback by the surge in Korean demand. Subsequently, this wine secured a premium image by being served in Korean Air's first class and became deeply rooted in Korean memory, perhaps aided by its phonetic similarity to the word ‘Teolbo,’ referring to a bearded person.

The name Talbot of Chateau Talbot originates from a famous British general. He was once the lord of the Bordeaux region, then British territory. Known for his benevolent governance, Lord Talbot resisted the French military's attempts to seize Bordeaux but was ultimately defeated and taken prisoner. He was released after a humiliating vow never to raise his sword against France again. The French, who later dominated the region, plundered the locals, who subsequently yearned for British rule and Lord Talbot. While participating in the ‘Hundred Years' War,’ he kept his promise by refraining from wielding a sword in battle and met his end on the battlefield. In honor of General Talbot's courage, his adversaries in the French military named the winery ‘Chateau Talbot.’ The wine label subtly states in French, ‘Ancient domain of Commander Talbot, lord of Guyenne from 1400 to 1453.’ He was a brave general, respected even by his foes after the war. For Koreans, it's akin to having a Toyotomi Hideyoshi winery in the Yeongdong wine complex — a truly interesting story.

5. The ‘Oh My’ Wine of a K-POP Star

It's been over a decade since my college days when a visiting idol group turned our school festival upside down. It was the Wonder Girls. At that time, the face responsible for sending South Korea into a frenzy with her adorable appearance and the catchphrase “Oh~ My” was Ahn So-hee. Today, Ms. Ahn So-hee, once that youthful icon, has gracefully entered her 30s, savoring wines.

The name of Ahn So-hee's favored wine is “Two Rivers Sauvignon Blanc,” a varietal of Sauvignon Blanc that holds significant affection among New Zealand wines. It is, in fact, a region and varietal I've frequently recommended in my previous columns. This wine is characterized by its rich herbaceous and tropical fruit aromas and a pronounced acidity, making it perfect for chilling and enjoying during the summer. Comparable to the Kendall Jackson I introduced earlier, it's an affordable wine and easily accessible.

A distinctive trait of New Zealand wines is using screw caps instead of cork stoppers. This intentional move by winemakers seeks to block the unique airflow associated with cork, preventing additional aging and preserving the wine's fresh acidity and fruity aroma for longer. Since odors don't easily penetrate these bottles, they are as conveniently stored as beer. Another hallmark of New Zealand wines is their relative affordability. Surprisingly, the average export price of wines from New Zealand is on the higher end when compared to other countries. This is due to the predominance of higher-tier wines in their export mix rather than cheaper table wines. Hence, when one comes across a wine from New Zealand, it's generally a safe and trustworthy choice. Besides the Sauvignon Blanc, the nation is renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir, which I highly recommend you try.