Rhode Island Wines - Newport Vineyards

It was bound to happen. I love visiting wineries. Rhode Island has vineyards and a winery in Newport.

Therefore, while we were in Rhode Island last weekend, we had to visit the winery--Newport Vineyards which was less than a mile from our hotel.

The tasting room and winery are in a small strip mall with a very nice deli (which served us well for lunch).

For some strange reason, I continue to look for nice red wines in northeastern wineries. It usually doesn't happen. And Newport Vineyard was much the same. The reds were uniformly thin, lacking both body and complexity. I sampled five different reds and afterwards I felt they should have refunded my tasting fee. At one point the pourer asked what I was looking for in a red, and after I explained my perfect red wine he remarked that I should try Napa Valley wines exclusively.

So I was left with the question in my mind--if the winemakers knows the reds are inferior, why grow the grapes and produce red wine?



But hold the presses--because the white wines, and there must be at least twelve of them, were really special. The whites had body, complexity, and varied across much of the white spectrum from light easy drinking Pinot Grigio to the darker and more complex Gewürztraminer with a couple of nicely done Rieslings added in for fun.

So, I heartily recommend stopping at the winery for a tasting, should you happen through Newport. But avoid the reds--drink the whites. And oh yes, we did buy a few wines to bring home with us, too. Don't miss the Hard Apple Cider, either.

Happy drinking!


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Monday Musings - August 15, 2011

1. Traveling the highways anymore is an adventure in probability. Probably, there will be an extensive traffic jam. Yesterday a trip that too 7 hours and 15 minutes to complete on Thursday took over 9 hours. My travel advice--avoid the New Jersey Turnpike at all costs!!

2. Rain, rain, and more rain makes driving really hard.

3. Apparently someone shot the starter's pistol for the 2012 Presidential race.  And they are off and running looking for a challenger. I'm not sure they have a potential winner anywhere in the field yet.

4. The tragic collapse of the stage in Indiana begs the question about whether there are sufficient inspections of the elaborate sets and equipment being used by today's bands.

5. Weddings are a grand example of two people beginning a new life together. They also provide for a great weekend of fun and celebration.

6. I had the opportunity to consider other drivers on the highway this weekend--some drivers are too impatient and I wonder how they arrive alive at their destination, and even then, I wonder about ulcers.

7. It is always good to see my dog again after a weekend away.

8. And of course after a four day weekend, it is off to the grind again!

Sunset over Rhode Island

Another day, another evening, and another fabulous sunset after a great day.



The wedding day was perfect. The reception a grand party. The evening sail was relaxing and enjoyable. But it was all capped by another fabulous sunset.



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Refund

Is there a way to get a refund from the New Jersey Turnpike for a really long traffic congested trip?

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Sailing Newport

We are sailing this evening on a 101 foot sailing boat built in 1947. We are out on Narragansett Bay for an authentic New England sailing experience.

More in Newport

Yesterday we took some time to do the sights in Newport. I admit, I had not really thought of this as a mini vacation, but I should have. This is an incredibly beautify place and it was totally lost on me that the uber-rich of the 19th century had their summer palaces here.


I used the word palace intentionally, these places are huge. We visited The Breakers, the summer home of the Vanderbilts. The tour was fabulous and opulent and very well done. I highly recommend it as it is on of the best self-paced tours that I have ever taken. The tour allowed for additional levels of depth and stories about the house and the family.



Following that, we walked part of the cliff walk behind the mansions along the bay. The scenery was beautiful, although the path is a bit narrow and yesterday there were lot of people on the walk.


Following this, we checked out a local winery--yes, they make wine in Rhode Island. Like most northeastern wineries, the reds were thin, but the whites were surprisingly good. Yeah, we bought a few.

I see now why so many people flock to this area for vacation. And it is even better if you happen to sail--the region is truly a sailing mecca.



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Location:E Main Rd,Middletown,United States