Westport Rivers Winery Brut Cuvée RJR, 2009

Said to have been a favorite of Julia Child, this Massachusetts Champagne Method Brut has refined bubbles and notes of lemon, brioche, baked apple & bread pudding, along with unexpected hints of white grapefruit, vanilla bean, and toasted sesame.

COUNTRY: United State of America (USA)

STATE: MA

APPELLATION (AVA): Southern New England

REGION: Massachusetts

VINTAGE: 2009

GRAPES:  65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay

PRACTICE: Sustainable, small farmer

VINIFICATION: Minimally processed, using ancient, traditional methods including those of Champagne and Burgundy

STYLE: Sparkling

COLOR: Straw yellow

BODY: Full

TASTE: Dry (Brut)

PRIMARY AROMAS: White grapefruit, vanilla bean ice cream, savory toasted sesame

FLAVOR: Tiny bubbles, umami notes, lemon brioche, apple bread pudding, caramel, subtle ginger

FORMAT: 750 ml 

SERVICE AND SUGGESTION:
Serve ice cold. In the words of the winery, this Brut can handle the  “from canapés to curry” gambit.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: 
In 1982 Bob and Carol Russell sought to re-enter the wine-growing business that Carol’s father, Herbert Grifenhagen, and grandfather, Max Grifenhagen, loved so dearly.  Herb and his father had grown their upstate New York Germania Wine Cellars brand into a nationally celebrated sparkling wine.  The Russell couple dreamed of returning to the family’s tradition of raising grapes and making champagne.  In 1982, after searching the globe for the perfect place to farm flavorful sparkling wine, they chose Westport, MA.  Their bold vision and daring tactic was proven to be revolutionary.
Several years later, the vines arrived and oldest son Rob came aboard to plant and manage the vineyard. Rob and his crew planted the first vines in 1986. Since then, our vineyard has grown to 80 acres, the largest vineyard in New England.
Hugo and Luis Quezada joined Rob in the vineyard during the 90’s. The winery opened to the public during the summer of 1991 and has earned over 20 gold medals and endless praise from wine critics worldwide.
The Russell’s founded both Buzzards Bay Brewing and Westport Rivers Winery upon this deep regard for local agriculture and education. As of 2012, the Russell Family has permanently preserved 400 acres of working farmland and forest.

ABOUT THE VINEYARDS: 
80-acre sustainable vineyard planted in 1986

ABOUT THE LABEL:
RJR – Robert James Russell, founder

(westportrivers.com)