Nantucket Wine Fest Revisited | #NWF2020
May 17, 2020Having attended over 10+ years of Nantucket Wine Fest, we can tell you that whatever the weather forecast is for the weekend, THE PARTY CONTINUES, as it should do so now in our current situation!
Let’s keep the #NWF2020 spirit alive this weekend, whether you are currently on island or celebrating with us somewhere else!
Below is a selection of some of our wine friends that we will be missing this weekend, however cheers-ing them (and you) from afar.
BRITISH FIZZ
W
ith a store name like Épernay, why on Earth would we ever talk about England Sparkling Wine? Let’s think about the soil for starters, White Cliffs of Dover and the chalky soil of Champagne. Winemakers use the grape varieties in both regions. Lastly, they both have marginal climates where every year is not guaranteed to be a great vintage, hence being able to blend vintages together is helpful to keep the business in just that, business.
CHAPEL DOWN CLASSIC BRUT NV is a Classic fizz as in ideal aperitif or a perfect pairing with fish + chips! It is made from a blend of Chardonnay, which adds acidity, minerality and generous texture, and Pinot Noir with its fruitiness. This youthful, vibrant sparkling wine is made in the traditional method, similar to Champagne, where the bubbles occur in the bottle. Aromas of red apple, lemongrass and freshly baked bread come together with hints of strawberry and quince on the palate with fine persistent bubbles. Chapel Down is located in the beautiful Kent countryside, close to the picturesque market town of Tenterden.
The perfect partner to any celebration!
KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR
Hoping to make their debut at this year’s Nantucket Wine Fest, Knights Bridge Winery was founded in 2006 by Jim Bailey, his brother Essel and wife Menakka Bailey, and friend Tom Costin. After Jim graduated from Harvard and raised his children in the Boston area, he felt drawn back to his childhood roots of farming. Hence, he and his partners discovered 50 acres of hillside vineyards in Knights Valley, the warmest appellation in Sonoma County. Here they practice sustainable farming methods (certified sustainable in 2011) and small lot wine production.
KNIGHTS BRIDGE ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC, KNIGHTS VALLEY jumps out of the glass with aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, and grapefruit. The palate offers bright acidity with notes of creamy lemon tart, guava and apricot with a fresh, clean finish. This gorgeous wine will be the talk of the table when serving it with a plate of freshly shucked oysters or a chilled lobster roll on the waterfront.
Here is your alternative to Sancerre!
JUST A MINUTY…
Belonging to the Matton-Farnet family for 80 years, Château Minuty is a family run wine estate located in southern France’s Provence region, overlooking the Saint-Tropez peninsula. You might recognize the elegant expression this winery has taken on their iconic shaped bottle of the region.
M DE MINUTY ROSÉ, CÔTES DE PROVENCE is a very pleasurable wine. It is made from a blend of Grenache and Cinsault, with a touch of Syrah. The wine has an aromatic harmony offering notes of peach and candied orange. The flavor is dry, crisp, refreshing and round on the palate.
Perfect for extending your holiday weekend!
FAMILY AFFAIR
The Donelan Fa
mily is no stranger to Nantucket Island. Sons Cush + Tripp Donelan take turns, along with their father Joe, spreading the good word (and good juice) around the island from their small, boutique winery in Sonoma County. At Donelan, they believe that the best wines are not made but discovered, and that is exactly what you should do is discover them, if you haven’t already!
DONELAN SYRAH “CUVÉE CHRISTINE” comes from 100% Syrah sourced from the Kobler Vineyard in the Green Valley of Russian River and the Lawer Vineyard in Knight’s Valley. It happens to be named after the Matriarch of the family! It has a bouquet of black olives, bacon fat, smoked earth, just on the nose! It has a great core of wild blueberries, black cherries and cassis, with touches of Mediterranean herbs and roses. This wine spends almost two years in partial new French oak, helping to create a supple, seamless texture, with beautiful balance, and integrated, fine-grained tannins that emerge on the finish.
Cheers from our family to yours!
While we may not be able to celebrate as planned for Nantucket Wine Fest this year, we still hold the event dear to our hearts and minds as we recognize some of our favorite luminary wineries. Cheers to our memories and recollections of wine fests past!
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