Wine dinners, seminars, tastings and brunches were all part of the 2023 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, hosted Sept. 22-24. Guests had the opportunity to taste and experience wines and spirits from every major wine region and enjoy dishes from artisanal food purveyors and top restaurants. The first day of seminars on Sept. 22 created a global wine tasting experience set at Rosecliff as guests chose from more than a dozen opportunities to attend and enjoy. Festival sponsors poured brands at locations in between seminars, giving guests an extra chance to enjoy offerings. All proceeds from the multiday event benefited the historic preservation efforts of The Preservation Society of Newport County, a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts, including its host property, Rosecliff.
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- The first day of seminars on Sept. 22 created a global wine tasting experience set at Rosecliff as guests chose from more than a dozen opportunities to attend and enjoy.
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- Certified Sommelier Ian Magiros, Volunteer/Consultant, Newport Mansion Wine & Food Festival pours for the first seminar.
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- Red wines from Sardinia and Sicily.
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- A pour of red wine.
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- Joe Battiato, New York State Sales Manager, Empson USA led the seminar “A Tale of Fire and Water,” which highlighted the wines of Sardinia and Sicily.
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- The first seminar of the day, “A Tale of Fire and Water,” showcased Jankara Vermentino di Gallura Superiore, Cantina di Santadi Villa Solais, Jankara Cannonau di Sardegna, Cantina di Santadi Noras, Jankara 755 Isola dei Nuraghi and Cantina di Santadi Rocca Rubia.
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- Jonathan Hetz, Wine Consultant and Brendan Quigley, Owner, Quigley Fine Wines led the seminar “Boutique Wines From Around the World.”
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- Unique, small-production wines were showcased during the “Boutique Wines From Around the World” seminar, including Z Wine Julius Shiraz and Elio Filippino Barbaresco.
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- Adam Kauman, Region Manager, New England, Terlato Wine Group and Thibault Marronnier, North America Manager, Lanson Americas led the seminar “Champagne and Haute Caviar.”
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- Guests paired Lanson Champagne 1760 Le Black Label Brut, Le Rosé and Organic with caviar during the “Champagne and Haute Caviar” seminar.
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- Sarah Iwanski, Director of Development, The Preservation Society of Newport County introducing a seminar.
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- The tasting mat for the “Wines of Israel” seminar.
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- Carmelo Rodero TSM, Château Guibeau Grande Reserve Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion, Elio Filippino Barolo, Clos Saint Sébastien Inspiration Marine, Domaine Haegi Zotzenberg Riesling and Bruno et Thierry Prieur Sancerre Rouge Reserve.
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- Alex Ouziel, Founder, 9diDANTE Vermouth addressing participants during the Hardshore Distilling Company Original Gin and 9diDANTE Vermouth tasting and seminar.
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- David Grunner, Director of Sales, Hardshore Distilling Company during the Hardshore Original Gin and 9diDANTE Vermouth tasting and seminar.
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- Hardshore Distilling Company Original Gin, Hardshore North Oak Gin, 9diDANTE Inferno Rosso Vermouth and 9diDANTE Purgatorio Extra Dry Vermouth.
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- Tara Flynn, Senior Advancement Officer, The Preservation Society of Newport County introducing another seminar.
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- Lynnette Marrero, MasterClass.com host and Chief Mixologist, House of Delola led the seminar “Impress Your Guests! The Science and Flavor of Cocktail and Food Pairings.”
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- Delola Spritz Crafted Cocktails L’Orange, Bella Berry and Paloma Rosa.
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- Mollie Battenhouse, National Director of Wine Education, Jackson Family Wines, who led the “Coastal Exploration of Pinot Noir” seminar.
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- Wines featuring in the “Coastal Exploration of Pinot Noir” seminar: Carmel Road Pinot Noir, Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, La Crema Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Maggy Hawk Jolie Pinot Noir and WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir.
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- Michael Loudon, Regional Field Marketing Manager – Northeast, Rémy Cointreau and Lauren Trickett, National Brand Ambassador, Cointreau and Mount Gay Rum.
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- A pour of Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum during the Mount Gay Rum tasting and cocktail seminar.
Photos by Laura Widness.
