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.
