Happy New Year! Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and Spa features one of the best wine festivals in New England making January one of my favorite months of the year. I will be attending the events and hope you will too. www.northeastwinefestival.com
The festival begins with the Grand Tasting on Friday, January 15. The event showcases over 300 wines, including wineries from New Hampshire. New this year, the Grand Tasting will present “The Top 20 Restaurants from Taste of the Seacoast Magazine.”
Here is the information and the line-up of wineries participating this year. For a list of restaurants, visit www.tasteoftheseacoast.com.
Dona Paula Winery, Saturday, January 16th – They produce an outstanding malbec from Argentina’s Mendoza region. Mendoza contains the ideal and unique terroir allowing winemakers to fulfill their dreams of creating sophisticated and immaculately structured wines.
Spellbound Winery & Medusa Winery, Friday, January 22nd – Geoff Whitman, originally from New Hampshire (see Taste profile - 2010 winter issue), and Rob Mondavi Jr. (grandson of Robert Mondavi) the founder & winemaker, created two great labels – featuring two exceptional wines - Spellbound Petite Sirah and Medusa Zinfandel.
Kendall-Jackson Winery, Saturday, January 23rd – Known as America’s favorite wine, this family owned and operated winery produces outstanding wines for over three decades. In 1983 their Chardonnay won the first Platinum Award ever presented by the American Wine Competition, and now they produce a long list of wines from Sonoma Valley.
“Renaissance of Italian Wines” Wednesday, January 27th - Philippo DeBelardino, an Italian wine expert will be on hand to speak about Banfi Vintners – famous for their Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino from Tuscany, and an impressive portfolio of outstanding wines.
Louis Jadot Winery, Friday, January 29th – One of the largest producers of French wine from the Burgundy region, best known for delicious Grand Crus and Beaujolais-Villages – a wine you can to enjoy every day.
William Hill Winery, Saturday, January 30th - William Hill Estate Wines are recognized for their intimate, elegant style, and are crafted using only the finest Napa Valley fruit, specializing in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes.
Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards, Friday, February 5th – All wines are 100% estate grown and bottled from their own vineyards in Santa Barbara County. They craft Rhone varietal wines and chardonnay, with character and integrity from grapes sustainably grown.
Cakebread Cellars, Friday, February 12th - Cakebread Cellars has earned a reputation for producing top-rated cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. Many high-end wine lists feature at least one of their wines. In addition to producing phenomenal Napa Valley wine, they are one of just two vintners in their appellation to be a designated Napa Green Certified winery.
Casa Lapostolle, Friday - February 19th - Casa Lapostolle Winery of Chile was awarded Wine Spectators number one wine of 2008 for their flagship wine, ‘Clos Apalta’. Casa Lapostolle has earned recognition for their expertise of French style of wine making, as well as their organic horticultural practices
Seghesio Family Vineyard, Saturday - February 20th – Four generations of the Seghesio family have continued to produce award-winning Zinfandel and Italian varietals at the hands of winemaker, Ted Seghesio. Last year, their Sonoma Zinfandel placed number ten on Wine Spectators list of top one hundred wines
Bogle and Rombauer, Friday, February 26th – Both Bogle and Rombauer Vineyards are unique in the fact they are still family owned and operated wineries, producing very high quality merlot, cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel – along with many other great value California varietals.
On Sundays throughout the festival, you can enjoy great champagne and sparkling wine at “Bubbles and Jazz Brunch” featuring Piper Heidsieck (January 17, 24, 31) and Domaine Chandon (Febuary 7, 14, 21, 28). And on Valentine’s Day, there’s a special Veuve Clicquot Champagne Grand Vintners Dinner.
Closing the festival, the 2nd Annual NH State Liquor Fair, Saturday, February 27th - The New Hampshire Wine Outlets (NH State Liquor Commission) returns this year for an event that is perhaps the culmination of the festival itself. For one afternoon only, you can embark on a wondrous wine journey at the Winter Wine Fair and Sale at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel, and purchase wine from the first ever on-site New Hampshire Wine Outlet store at the same time. For a reasonable ticket price, you can enter the tasting room where different wine brokers will pour roughly 150 premium wines. If you find a wine you like, you can purchase it then and there, while supplies last, at great New Hampshire prices.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Taste Winter 2010 for a complete list of all the wine festivals in New England this winter and in to spring! Cheers!
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Comments (1)
1. 01-07-2010 12:12
I cannot wait for another season of wine festivals in New England. Last year I drove to CT for Sunfest at the Mohegan Sun - well worth the ride for a weekend of great wine and fun! LR
Wine + Spirits 
Happy New Year! Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and Spa features one of the best wine festivals in New England making January one of my favorite months of the year. I will be attending the events and hope you will too. 
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