VinoDuo had quite the weekend in late September when we headed a few hours south for the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival. Hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County, this year’s presenting sponsor was the Italian Trade Commission, which stocked the festival with offerings of food and wine from Milan to Sicily. As lovers of all things Italian, VinoDuo was thrilled to attend two of the weekend’s events: the elegant Wine and Rosecliff gala and the sprawling Grand Tasting, held on the seaside grounds of Marble House.

The Astors and Vanderbilts were likely spinning in their graves at the thought of the hoi polloi tromping through their beloved summer playground (though not their personal mansions) swigging wine and gobbling canapés. But even in the pouring rain, Newport was one swell setting for a celebration of the finer things in life.

Last year at this time we attended the Foxwoods Food & Wine Festival, and the contrast could not have been more starkly drawn. Mansion vs. casino. The sound of waves vs. the clang of slot machines. Billowing tents vs. boxy meeting room.  While the shows shared some of the same exhibitors, vendors, and presenters, the similarities stopped there. For our money (oh, wait, we didn't pay for either event)...well, if we had to buy tickets, we’d pick Newport in a heartbeat.

       
Cut to the Chase – What to Buy
Between Lisa and Gary we tasted close to 100 wines in two days…a Herculean feat (or should we say Caesarian feat in honor of our Roman hosts?)  While other countries were represented at the Grand Tasting we stuck to Italy, with France and Argentina sneaking in at the end with two big winners.

We’ve written up all of our favorites (see chart below), but following is a list of our “must buy” wines

• Masi Costasera 2004    Amarone    $48
• Fattoria Dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2003    Sangiovese    $55
• Azienda Agricola Giovanni Dri, Rosso del Monte dei Carpini 2004    Schioppettino (80%); Revosco (20%    $45
• Le Calle Poggio d’Oro 2003 Montecucco DOC    Sangiovese    $25 - $30
• Castello Di Volpaia 2004 Costasella Chianti Classico Reserva    Sangioveto and Mammolo    $45
• Castello de Bossi Berardo Chianti Classico 2003    Sangiovese    $35
• Castiglione del Bosco Brunello Del Mantalcino 2003    Sangiovese    $30-$35
• Chateau Lagrange Saint Julien 2003    Cab Sauv; Merlot; PV    $50
• Bodega Catena Zapata Alta 2005    Malbec    $45

Download Our Full List of Recommendations