Newport Vineyards 2022

Next up on our tour is Newport Vineyards,  a winery located in Middleton.  We were invited to a private tour and tasting with the weather cooperating every moment of the way.  Blue skies and puffy, billowing clouds, full sunshine and a cool breeze were all a perfect backdrop to a few hours spent learning about winemaking.

We began by strolling the vineyards and getting the basics.  It's early in the season for grapes as one can see here but by Fall they'll be ready for harvest and the winemaking process begins.  There are about 60 acres of vines here and a few more for the culinary garden where produce and herbs are grown for use in the restaurant.

I won't spoil the details of the process for you but after the grapes are processed the storage begins and eventually all of the bottling is done on-site, as well.  It's fascinating to see all of the modern equipment and machinery used and to be taken through the story of just how wine is made.  And, yes, they do even have a grape-stomping competition every year!

After the tour we enjoyed the Local Cheese Bite Board ($20) and a flight of four wines to taste.  That Great Hill Blue cheese with just a tiny piece of that local honeycomb on the Focaccia Crostini was sheer heaven paired with the Riesling we sipped.  

Of course, we went home with several bottles to add to our collection, especially Great White, our favorite, a light, fruity, refreshing blend just absolutely perfect for sipping on those balmy evenings at home by the pool.

This is also the site for a very popular brewery for those also interested in a well-crafted, local brew:  Taproot Brewing Company.

One of the most interesting facts we discovered were these recycled compact disks we kept seeing on the posts out in the vineyard.  How curious.  Since our job is to ask questions, we did.  As it turns out, they are modern-day scarecrows.  The reflections they cause keep the birds from swooping in and nibbling away!

For more information and details on events visit Newport Vineyards website.

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Cheers,

William

A Taste Of Veneto At Giusto, Newport

 The Newport Food And Wine Festival was different this year.  Gone was the always very crowded Grand Tasting and replaced with a number of smaller events and seminars that sold out quickly. The silver lining was a great restaurant program offering more intimate wine dinners sponsored by some fantastic wineries.  We attended one of them at Giusto sponsored by Masi, a family-owned, centuries-old winery just outside Venice, Italy.  And although we love the Grand Tasting, you know what?  We liked this program even better!

First of all, it's a limited number of participants.  Rather than fight the crowds ten deep at the popular restaurant and vintner's tables and guard a choice seat with a vengeance, it allowed for a much more gracious and relaxed atmosphere.  Giusto pulled out all the stops.  

The restaurant is fairly new and offers a prime location right on the water.  The sleek, contemporary design with both indoor and outdoor seating, plus a covered outdoor area where the event was held, proved to be a very coveted spot on this last weekend of summer and one that had many other events bringing in thousands of visitors.

The service was impeccable, the food a bright and inventive take on Italian cuisine and the crowd and atmosphere festive.  This is as good as it gets for late summer dining (and wining) experiences.  The young, friendly yet very professional staff was a welcome relief in these days of covid woes hitting the hospitality industry hard on the service front.

We were greeted with ice cold glasses of Santa Margherita Sparkling Rosé, a perfect choice.  Our first passed appetizer taste was this Fritelle.  The ricotta, honey and truffle in a fried crust was sublime, both rich and airily light at the same time, just packed with flavor.

Next was The Scotch Meatball, a menu staple.  Tomato, egg and salumi in, again, a perfectly crispy, not overly heavy, crust.  What a great start to the evening and a prelude to the four course dinner paired with some great wines!

Circle back later this week for A Taste Of Veneto, Part II.

Giusto at Hammets Hotel

4 Commercial Wharf

Newport, RI  02840

Telephone:  401.324.7400

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival 2019 Grand Tasting

It was glorious weather but, then again, it always is.  Our weekend in Newport for the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival was capped with the Grand Tasting on Saturday at Marble House.  

Of course there is wine (that flows freely) and always a new vintage, vineyard and blend to discover.  There is also plenty of food to sample.  Like lobster.  

And meat.  Since Dole & Bailey became one of the major sponsors there is lots of grilled seafood and meat.  It may be the most popular spot at the event.

What we enjoy the most, however, are the people, the chance to meet new friends from all over the country and world.  There are couples traveling together for an exciting weekend, the young lovers scoping out possible wedding venues, the wine-lovers, the mansions-lovers and the usual assortment of beautiful people.

Chef Jeremy Kean of Brassica Kitchen.

Of course there are the chefs, many of which have the opportunity to demo how they prepare a dish against the stunning backdrop of Newport.

Finish it all off with live music and all kinds of food product samples from candy to coffee and lots of laughter and great conversation and you have all of the reasons that we attend this event every year.  And you should, too.  

So, here is the best news of all:  our readers now have the chance to purchase tickets for the 2020 events and LOCK IN THE 2019 PRICES.  That's right, if your purchase your tickets by December 25, 2019 you will avoid any price increases.  Of course, we all know how the price of everything is going up, especially imported goods.  If interested (and this is a great gift idea, obviously) you can purchase tickets here or by calling 401.847.1000.  It's a great deal and without question the best gift you will give this holiday season.  When calling just mention that you got the offer from The Boston Foodie.

Socials:
@thebostonfoodie
@theboysoftbf
@deano_iam
@doleandbailey
@newport_mansions
@brassicakitchen

We attended this event as members of the media with no promise of any editorial consideration or financial remuneration.

All photos copyright The Boston Foodie 2019

Having Fun At Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

A lot of people steer clear of wine festivals and events because, I think, they are under the impression that they are snobby with elitest wine know-it-alls who just want to impress you with their knowledge.  What fun is that, right?  This may be true at some events but not all.

Don't let the luxurious, gilded age backdrop fool you at Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival.  Yes, it was known as a place of immense wealth and formality but today it's more fun than anything.  It's an opportunity to learn more about wine if one wants to, see some great chef demonstrations and enjoy food samples and tastings, meet new people from all over the country or just relax at a beautiful spot on the water.

It's also a chance to get all dressed-up and dance the night away at some of the more elegant evening events.  We will be there again this year as we always consider the weekend (September 20-22) to be both the kickoff for and the highlight of the Fall social season.  We are absolutely confident that if you make either a day or a weekend of it you will not be disappointed.  Tickets can be purchased here.  Saturday typically sells out first.  See you there!  

Wine Lunch At Moon Bar

 

 

Smoked Bluefish Pate at Moon Bar

 

We recently enjoyed an intimate group of food writers at a great wine lunch at Moon Bar in Park Square, on the first floor of Mooncusser Fish House.  What a gem! 

 



 

 

Lobster Bisque at Moon Bar.

 

Of course, it was seafood all throughout and all of it was excellent.  I was joking with dinner companions how after each dish was served we would then exclaim that that was actually our favorite.

 



 

The wines were also very well paired.  I particularly liked the Riesling, St. Urbans-Hof 'Nik Weis', Mosel 2015.  Delightful wine, well-balanced, not too sweet as some Rieslings can be.  Then there was the Cabernet-Franc, Couly-Dutheil, Chinon 2017.

 

Fish Tacos With Cabbage Slaw, Cilantro, Pickled Red Onion And Thoreau Sauce.

 

To reiterate, this was our favorite.  Really, though, the tempura has never been done better, light but crisp.

 



 

Smoked Mussel Toast With Pumpkin, Sage, Roasted Garlic Aioli On Sourdough Toast.

 

No, THIS was our favorite.  It may have not been the prettiest girl, or boy, at the prom but if one loves the taste of smoked foods then this is a standout winner.  Beautifully rich flavors layered on top of one another, the texture of that toast and all infused with that smoky essence. 

 





 

Swordfish Souvlaki With Garlic, Oregano, Lemon, Cucumber, Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Yogurt And Pita.

 

This was our favorite.  Seriously, it's too easy to dry out swordfish.  Yet, the morsels on the kebab stick were moist, tender, succulent and packed with flavor. 

 



Although we dined downstairs at the bar we did head upstairs for the view of Mooncusser Fish House imagining how beautiful it must be with that view of Park Square all glistening in the holiday lights, a hidden gem.  Then we were reminded that the space was once that infamous after hours private club that we flocked to when the bars closed at 2AM and we were just getting started.  remember the name?

Moon Bar and Mooncusser Fish House.  A great find where you will not be disappointed.

Mooncusser Fish House
304 Stuart Street
Boston, MA  02116
Telephone:  617.917.5193

Socials:
@TheBostonFoodie
@MooncusserFishHouse

We were invited to this event as members of the media and professional press with no promise of any editorial coverage.

 

 

Hotel Viking Wine Festival 2017

We spent part of our weekend in Newport, Rhode Island as the guests of Hotel Viking for their Wine Festival 2017.  We opted out of the larger wine events taking place this season for this very relaxing and elegant few days out of town and were not disappointed.  There were lots of fun and interesting events going on around Newport as part of their Winter Festival. More on that later.

The sumptuous four course dinner was expertly paired with the wines of Hedges Family Estate wines and hosted by the Hotel Viking and winemaker Christophe Hedges.  The wine dinner series continues through March.

Our first course was this very nice Roasted Beet And Wine Gelee With Peppercorn Chevre Cream.  We love a good beet salad and the wine gelee was a new twist with excellent results. The dish was matched with a 2012 Red Mountain Blend.  The winery is located in the state of Washington and produces red wines.  Great pairing.

We were lucky enough to have Christophe himself seated at our table which gave us the exclusive opportunity to talk more in-depth about organic and biodynamic wines.  Hedges produces only biodynamic wines, the latest wave in wine production.  The beautiful setting and lively table mates made for some great conversation in a more intimate setting, more like a dinner party with the firsthand knowledge of the winemaker.  Does anyone miss dinner parties as much as we do?

Next up was this Cumin Crusted Australian Lamb Chop With Vanilla Bean Mashed Potatoes, Cassis Carrots And Cabernet Reduction.  Australian lamb is a great product we have enjoyed many times before but the slight hint of vanilla in the mashed potatoes was a new one on us. It worked.  

This course was served with both a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2014 La Haut Cuvee, a very special wine.  Both were terrific wines.

Dry Aged Filet Of Beef, Cherry Demi-Glace, Chocolate Dipped Champignon, Grilled Soft Cheddar Cheese And Baby Endive.  Our favorite taste, this had many layers of flavor.  The cheese was a Sage Derby (that green stick you see) one of our favorite mild, primarily English, cheddar cheeses.  

The wine selection here was a 1999 Red Mountain Reserve, again a great pairing.

Dessert was this Lavazza Creme Brulee With Chocolate Expresso Bean And Felchin Madeline, adding that final, indulgent zing of rich flavors.  The wine served here was a 2009 Red Mountain Fortified, a much stronger wine that stood up well to the bolder food profiles. Just fantastic.

A great experience with expert service in a beautiful, comfortable setting worthy of the Gilded Age and a great option for a special weekend getaway!  We guarantee you will not be disappointed.

This experience was provided by Hotel Viking without remuneration or any editorial consideration.

Hotel Viking Wine Series

Each winter we attend more than one wine festival event and while lucky enough to get in before they open to the public it still at some point becomes like the running of the bulls.  Once those doors swing open it just gets too crowded to spend any quality time with the people from the actual wineries.  This year we are scrapping those plans for something much more elegant and quiet.

The moment we walked through the doors at Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island last fall we instantly felt at ease.  Originally built in 1926 so that travelers visiting Newport for society events would have a place to stay that reminded them of the gilded age homes of their own, the structure was erected at One Bellevue Avenue so as to be close to the mansions where they would attend the most glittering parties of the season.  Since then the hotel has undergone many multimillion dollar renovations and additions and has long been considered the grand dame of Newport lodgings.

This is the second year that they will be offering a series of more intimate wine dinners which will last through March.  We will be attending the February 18th dinner with Christophe Hedges of the Hedges Family Estate in Red Mountain, Washington.  At what promises to be a much more relaxing, luxurious pace we'll discover everything there is to know about the wines while enjoying what I am sure will be a sumptuous feast with elegant company.  It promises to be, at the very least, a great weekend getaway.

We hope that you'll look over the dates and reward yourself with one of the dinners.  If you decide on the 18th then we will certainly see you there enjoying the food and wine in beautiful (even in the off season) Newport.  There will be lots of new friends to meet and photos to take!  You will certainly not be disappointed with Hotel Viking.  See you there.

Newport Mansions Wine And Food Festival 2016: Grand Tasting

We have often said that the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival is our favorite event of the year.  It's not just the Gilded Age setting but more importantly the people and the discovery of new wines and food products in a very comfortable social environment. 

As soon as one steps through the opulent foyer of Marble House and onto the back terrace one is greeted by a long line of smiling servers who hand you a goblet for the event and then offer up some tasty bites right away.

Like, for instance, this eye-popping taste of salmon and beets on rye bread.  It was a cool, sunny day and first impressions do count.  This set the tone for what was to follow:  several hours of tasting great artisan flavors and sipping interesting wines at a leisurely pace with the most interesting people.

Of course, I immediately headed to the demo stage where I bumped into Lydia Shire and Jacques Pepin chatting amicably.  It was a special mission for me to meet Jacques Pepin.  I've been watching him on TV for years but he has always eluded me.  He was very gracious and surprisingly spry.  Before the show was open to the public he wandered through the tent in serious conversations with vintners and food purveyors with never a hint of any star status expectations.  My only regret was that I never got a photograph with him.  I guess I'll just have to keep attending these events until that happens!

We checked out the food first.  There were many artisanal craftspersons there serving up samples of their best products and the quality was not lost on anyone.

As one can imagine, there was tons of cheese being served up.  It is impressive just how many quality small batch cheeses are being made throughout New England now.  And we make it a goal to try as many as possible.

One of the things we really liked about the subtle changes made this year was the setup of the chef demo table right on the water.  It made for some great photos and a way to enjoy the spectacular view.

We also had fun playing fashion photographer with the different vendors who were more than willing to oblige.

We tried a different tactic this year.  Instead of walking around and around for four hours resulting in exhaustion and aching feet we basically set up camp at a table in front of the Estrella Damm tent (very gracious people by the way) and let the party come to us.

And come they did, from all over.  We met people from Chicago and Canada and even this happy couple, Mark and Keri, who turned out to be from neighboring Somerville.

The wines?  Oh yes, almost forgot.  Our favorite sips from the event included the Chateau d'Esclans 2014 Les Clans Rosé, and the Prestige Rosé from Champagne Taittinger.  Our favorite wine of all, however, was the 2012 Riesling, Graacher Domprobst Grand Cru from Weingut S. A. Prüm of Mosel, Germany.  Absolutely fantastic.  Can't wait until next year!

It won't be long now until the garden clubs of Newport gather to decorate the mansions for the holidays.  We're totally looking forward to seeing that.

We were the guests of the Newport Mansions Preservation Society for this event with no consideration for coverage required or expected.