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Sources: Vineyards

Nancy Parker Wilson
Greenvale Vineyards
“My favorite wine is our Cabernet Franc ’03. It pairs very nicely with everything from a spicy marinara sauce to a steak au poivre or an herb-encrusted lamb. Cabernet franc was originally sent to us in error. We thought we were planting the final eight rows of pinot noir in 1983, but in fact we had planted cab franc. Those rows did so well that we pulled up the pinot and replaced it with cab franc. It was the first red grape to grow really well in our area. Talk about trial and error.” 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, 847-3777, greenvale.com.

John Noons
Newport Vineyards
“I love our Brut Sparkling Wine ’03, which is made with the traditional Champagne method using estate-grown pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. It measures up to the finest Champagnes in the world. Our Vidal Ice Wine ’05 is nearly impossible for me to pass up though. We press the grapes when they’re frozen, which extracts the richest nectars. The flavor just explodes in your mouth! You can pair it with chocolate,
but I like a plate of fruit and some freshly whipped cream to highlight the wine.” 909 East Main Road (Route 138), Middletown, 848-5161, newportvineyards.com.

Susan Sampson
Sakonnet Vineyards
“We make several wines from the grand vidal grape but my favorite one is our Vidal Blanc ’05 because it pairs so beautifully with seafood. I often say that the vines grow straight down to the ocean below, and after spending so much time with the local fish, they know exactly how to grow in order to make the perfect match.”
162 West Main Road, Little Compton,
1-800-91-WINES, sakonnetwine.com.

Bill Russell
Westport Rivers Vineyards
“Our Brut Cuvée ’02 is everything I love about sparkling wine: beautiful fruit, a tight, crisp mouth feel with a hint of toastiness. The ’02 is among my favorite productions ever; it’s just a perfect balance. You can pair it with just about anything, but my preference is straight up with fresh oysters on the half-shell.” 417 Hixbridge Road, Westport, Massachusetts, 1-800-993-9695, westportrivers.com.