It’s gratifying, being a wine critic and competition judge, to have
my initial impressions of a winery validated on a subsequent encounter. I
first discovered Newport Vineyards of Rhode Island last year, when their 2007 Riesling won Best of Show in the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition.
Recently, a friend brought a bottle of Newport’s 2008
“Tranquility†to an all-girls party my wife was hosting. Thankfully,
my wife put the bottle aside with a last taste until I got home that
evening.
When she handed me the glass, I took one sniff and said, “Alsatian.
Good quality.†Was it Riesling? There seemed to be some
Gewurztraminer, but also a floral/peachy note that disguised the grape
content. I was delighted when she showed me the label, because since
last year’s contest I hadn’t had the opportunity to taste any other
Newport wines.
Tranquility is 47% Gewurztraminer, 35% Muscat Ottonel (that elusive
note that eluded me), 11% Pinot Gris and a mere 7% Riesling. It is great
stuff, and should delight any fans of Alsace. It sells for $20 at the
winery.
Another pleasant wine from that part of the world is Sharpe Hill
Vineyards’ “Ballet of Angels”, which can be purchased online via
Suburban Wines in New York.
http://www.sharpehill.com/
I don’t have an interest in the winery — I’m just a fan.