Why Was the First Toast at the State Dinner Linked to Nixon’s 1972 China Visit?

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25— At the White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24, the first toast came with a glass of Schramsberg sparkling wine — a choice deliberately linked to one of the most memorable moments in the history of U.S.-China relations.

The White House said the dinner began with a toast of Schramsberg “Blanc De Noir,” chosen to honor the historic “Toast to Peace” shared by U.S. President Richard Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing in 1972.

More than five decades later, the same American winery once again appeared at a major diplomatic dinner involving a Chinese leader.

A Glass of Wine With a 54-Year History

The connection goes back to February 1972, when Nixon made his historic visit to China.

During the visit, Nixon attended a state dinner in Beijing hosted in his honor by Zhou Enlai. The occasion became known as the “Toast to Peace,” and Schramsberg’s California sparkling wine was served.

According to Schramsberg’s historical records, the wine served at the 1972 dinner was a1969 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs. The winery describes the event as the first time Schramsberg, or any American wine, was served at a U.S. presidential state event at home or abroad.

The wine subsequently became closely associated with Nixon’s historic China visit and the beginning of a new chapter in U.S.-China relations.

It Was Not Exactly the Same Wine

There is an important distinction, however.

The wine served at the 2026 White House dinner wasSchramsberg Blanc De Noir, while the wine associated with Nixon’s 1972 “Toast to Peace” was1969 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs.

The two wines are different styles. Schramsberg explains that Blanc de Blancs is made from Chardonnay, while Blanc de Noirs is made from Pinot Noir.

So the significance of the 2026 selection lies not in serving the exact same bottle from 1972, but in returning to thesame American winery and the historical symbolism attached to its wine.

Why Schramsberg?

The winery's connection to U.S.-China diplomacy dates back to 1972.

Schramsberg says its Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition after Nixon served it during the historic dinner in Beijing. Since then, the winery's sparkling wines have been served at numerous official state and White House functions.

That history gave the brand a particular place in American diplomatic tradition.

By choosing a Schramsberg wine for the opening toast in 2026, the White House effectively connected the evening's ceremony with a diplomatic event that took place more than half a century earlier.

From Beijing in 1972 to Washington in 2026

The symbolism is particularly striking because the two dinners took place in very different settings.

In 1972, Nixon's visit to Beijing marked a major breakthrough in official contacts between the United States and the People's Republic of China.

In 2026, Xi Jinping arrived in Washington for a state visit and was welcomed by President Donald Trump. The two leaders then participated in formal meetings and a state dinner at the White House.

The historical circumstances are not identical, and the wine selection itself does not determine the direction of the bilateral relationship.

But the choice provided a tangible link between two major diplomatic moments separated by 54 years.

The Dinner Also Combined American and Chinese Elements

The wine was only one part of the dinner's design.

The White House said the menu was built around American ingredients with subtle Chinese influences, bringing elements of both culinary traditions together.

The dinner was held in the East Room and brought together senior government officials, members of the two delegations and prominent figures from the business and technology sectors.

The carefully selected menu and wine therefore served not only a culinary purpose but also contributed to the broader presentation of the state dinner.

Why a Historical Reference Matters

Diplomatic ceremonies often communicate through details as much as through speeches.

A national flag, a piece of artwork, a musical performance or a particular wine can all carry historical associations.

In this case, Schramsberg provided a direct connection to the 1972 Nixon-Zhou dinner.

The symbolism was particularly clear because the White House itself explicitly described the opening toast as a tribute to the earlier “Toast to Peace.”

That makes the first glass of the evening more than simply an aperitif. It became a reference point to one of the most recognizable episodes in the history of U.S.-China diplomacy.

A Toast Across More Than Five Decades

In 1972, a California sparkling wine was poured in Beijing as Nixon and Zhou toasted peace and the future of relations between their countries.

In 2026, a Schramsberg sparkling wine was poured again, this time at the White House in Washington, as Trump hosted Xi Jinping.

The wine was not the same, and the political circumstances were different.

But the winery was the same, and the historical reference was deliberate.

That is why the first glass of the 2026 state dinner attracted attention:the White House was not simply choosing a wine — it was choosing a piece of diplomatic history.