1998 WESTPORT RIVERS BLANC DE BLANCS

Introduction

After the tour and wine tasting I mentioned in the previous post, we purchased three bottles (Note: a 10% discount kicks in at 3 bottles!). This wine was one of them. We decided to open it as part of our 26th anniversary celebration. One other new fact I learned from the tour is that the bubbles in inexpensive Champagne or sparkling wine actually comes from carbon dioxide being injected into still wine, and not from the fermentation process as it does in real sparkling wine.

Wine Impressions

We actually had tasted this wine at the wine tasting. However, we had only a sip there and we could not fully appreciate it. In addition to the added fun of opening the bottle, pouring the wine into the glasses revealed a very nice looking wine as the bubbles were very impressive and the very light color almost sparkled. It has a very smooth taste, dry but slightly fruity. On the second day, after sealing the bottle with a brass stopper that screws tightly onto the bottle, the wine was just as good and the bubbles remained strong. I must confess that I have purchased mostly inexpensive sparkling wine in the past. However, this one was definitely one of the best I have ever had. It was appropriate that we had it on our anniversary as was probably the best I have had since the Champagne we served at our wedding. At $23.95, it is moderately priced.

The Company

Since I already discussed the company in my post about the vineyard and winery tour, I really don’t have anything to add. However, the website is here.

The Region: Southeastern New England

Westport is located on the South Coast of Massachusetts on Buzzard’s Bay. It is between, and just south of, the cities of Fall River and New Bedford. Horseneck Beach is located in Westport. Across Buzzard’s Bay are the Elizabeth Islands of Cape Cod and beyond those is Martha’s Vineyard. The Rhode Island border is close by and the city of Newport is a short distance away as the crow flies, but the intervening inlets make the driving distance a bit further.

The region has lagged behind the rest of eastern Massachusetts economically. However, it is an area of beautiful coastlines, historic cities, quaint villages and exceptional rural scenery (of which Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery are a part. The area is poised for an economic resurgence as there are plans to extend commuter rail service to both New Bedford and Fall River. The area is preparing for this by promoting Smart Growth to reduce the sprawl that would otherwise accompany the economic growth.