WBW: Westport Rivers 2002 Brut Cuvee RJR

I remember the dramatic POP of one of the first bottles of bubbly I opened (definitely not real champagne!)…great sound, until I realized the geyser was rapidly dousing our apartment walls. But now, for my first Wine Blogging Wednesday event, I’ve got the experience to open the sparkling wine to a gentle “poof” followed by slowly rising mist…

Ahh, not a drop spilled (note the "bottoms up" theme in the photo). Good thing, because this Westport Rivers 2002 Brut Cuvee RJR is not a sparkler to be wasted (what kind of plonk is it that get sprayed all over those victorious locker rooms?). I get hints of apple in this nice dry sparkler. It’s well balanced, with a nice clean taste. This sparkler blends 63% Estate Grown Pinot Noir & 37% Estate Grown Chardonnay.

Culinary Fool asked that we choose one of three categories for what we taste, but I’m going to break the rules a little and combine two of the categories suggested—let’s call this Westport Rivers bottle a Special Party sparkler. This is reasonably priced at just under $20. It certainly would work quite nicely for a special occasion on a modest budget. At this price, you could pick up a few bottles to impress at a party, too, without breaking the bank.

I suppose one reason I’m partial to Westport Rivers is that it provides a rare opportunity for us to enjoy very good, locally produced wine in the Boston area. My wife and I paid a visit to this Southeastern Mass. winery back in 1999—and wound up picking up the sparkling wine with which we rang in the new millennium—a special party to be sure!

Now WBW certainly was a fun writing assignment, I look forward to my next one! Thanks to Brim to the Dregs for pointing me in the direction of this one.