The 15th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County and presented by Food and Wine magazine, took place on Sept. 18-20. This year, the format of the multiday showcase of regional, national and international wine and spirits brands was reimagined to fit within COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, with smaller, seated educational events and tastings. Guests flocked to the sold-out dinners at area restaurants, seminars and Sunday brunch. The weekend showcased a lineup of top wine talent as educational presenters. The roster on Sept. 18 included “Discover Rías Baixas Albariño: A Taste of Spain’s Atlantic Coast Awaits You in Newport,” a study of white wines from the region led by Master Sommelier Michael Meagher; “American Dreams,” which featured the stories of American iconic wine brands Cakebread, St. Francis, Sequoia Grove, Résonance and Domaine Carneros, led by Rhode Island’s Matthew MacCartney, 2020 Festival Wine Director and Master of Wine Student; “Take a Rosé Journey with Château d’Esclans,” an exploration of the new generation of rosé wines; the “History and Heritage of Mount Gay Rum,” showcasing the Barbados rum line and cocktails; and “Bourbon Tasting & Cocktail Seminar,” which showcased Woodford Reserve in the art and history of making bourbon led by Bruno Carvalho. Sponsors included Ca’del Bosco, Château d’Esclans, Rías Baixas, Santa Margherita, Cointreau, Tequila Herradura, Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits, Masi, Montes, Mount Gay Rum, Rémy Martin, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Pascal Schildt Selections and Woodford Reserve. All proceeds benefited the historic preservation efforts of The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island.
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- The 2020 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival took place at Newport’s Rosecliff mansion on Sept. 17-20.
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- Spanish white wines featured during the Rías Baixas seminar by Condes de Albarei, Santiago Ruiz, La Val, Valmiñor, Granbazán, Martín Códax, Robalino and Pazo Señorans.
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- Brad Haskel, WSET III, Owner, Brad Haskel Selections, Ltd.; Matthew MacCartney, 2020 Festival Wine Director and Master of Wine Student; Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director, The Preservation Society of Newport County; and Michael Meagher, Master Sommelier.
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- Tastes of white wines from Spain during the Rías Baixas seminar.
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- During the “American Dreams” seminar, guests tasted Taittinger Domaine Carneros Brut, Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Résonance Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, St. Francis Merlot and Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon.
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- A pour of Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay.
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- Shawn A. Moquin, WSET II, Regional Manager – MA/RI, Kobrand Corporation and Jennica Ossi, Senior Public Relations Manager, Kobrand Corporation.
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- Rosés from Château d’Esclans paired with shrimp pâtés from Oceans 97 Inc.
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- Michelle Wood, Brand Ambassador, Château d’Esclans.
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- Matthew MacCartney, 2020 Festival Wine Director and Master of Wine Student.
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- Jarvis Green, Former Defensive End, New England Patriots presented parings with Château d’Esclans rosé from his seafood company, Oceans 97 Inc., which produces shrimp pâtés.
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- Michelle Wood, Brand Ambassador, Château d’Esclans; Jarvis Green, Former Defensive End, New England Patriots and Owner, Oceans 97 Inc.; and Matthew MacCartney, 2020 Festival Wine Director and Master of Wine Student.
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- Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum, Mount Gay XO Rum and Mount Gay Eclipse Heritage Blend Rum.
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- Tastes of Mount Gay Eclipse Heritage Blend Rum, made by Master Blender Trudiann Branker, the first female master blender for House of Mount Gay.
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- Showcased cocktail Times Like These, made with Mount Gay Eclipse Rum, pineapple juice, pomegranate grenadine and fresh lime juice.
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- Matthew Gant, WSET II serving guests the Times Like These cocktail during the Mount Gay Rum seminar.
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- All from The Preservation Society of Newport County except where indicated: Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director; Bill Tavares, Communications Manager; Mary Heath, MOVE Marketing Group; Philip Pelletier, Director of Special Events.
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- All from Brown-Forman except where indicated: Bruno Carvalho, Team Bourbon – New York; Kristen Cubicciotti, Market Manager MA/RI; Jon Carlo Capodi, Field Marketing Manager – Portfolio; and Scott Pinocci, Mixologist, Ocean House Management.
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- A close-up pour of the Woodford Rhody cocktail, featuring Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
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- Tastes of Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
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- Ian Magiros, Sommelier and On Premise Key Account Specialist, MS Walker serving the Woodford Rhody cocktail.
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- Bruno Carvalho, Team Bourbon – New York, Brown-Forman presented the “Bourbon Tasting & Cocktail Seminar.”
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- Ali Alejandro Quiero, Certified Sommelier, WSET III.
Photos by Laura Widness.
