Highlights – Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival

Another perfect Autumn Saturday, another gorgeous Newport backdrop, another year full of delicious food and tasting new wines, all wrapped up in the 2012 Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival. This was my fourth time attending this event, and while it wasn’t my favorite year, it was still a great way to spend a day.

{The view from Marble House, Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival}

{Jacques and Claudine Pepin – I grew up watching them, so many beautiful memories}

{Kerrygold cheese and butter are always welcome sites}

{Kielbasa from Castle Hill Inn}

{Beautiful bubbles from Nicolas Feuillate}

{Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel, a favorite}

{The festival could be renamed the St. Germain cocktail festival. These were flowing all day, and the St. Germain booth was quite popular.}

{Tender short ribs in a sweet and spicy sauce}

{Light and fresh orange and smoked salmon}

{Georgetown Cupcake}

{Lorenza Rosé – one of my favorite discoveries of the day, a beautiful wine from fun mother-daughter team}

The festival was a little different this year in that it had fewer vendors, making for extra space under the tent. I found it to be a little less exciting than past years with less variety and barely any bubbly! And unfortunately many of the people pouring wine seemed like they didn’t want to be bothered telling us anything about the wines or even paying attention to us. There were plenty of exceptions, of course, but the overall vibe felt a little colder  and less energetic. The crowd was a little less polite than in past years; when will people learn to take their sample of wine and step to the side to taste it?

I heard from another attendee that Sunday was really great and that the people pouring wine were really conversational and interested in sharing information. Perhaps everyone needed to warm up a little!

It was a tiring weekend, but I am excited about the week ahead. Did you do anything fun over the weekend?