At the Expo, you'll be confronted with hundreds of different wines and spirits, which can be overwhelming. There's no way you can taste all of them, or even a large percentage, so what should you do? What is the best strategy to handle this intimidating dilemma? What other advice should you know about attending such a large-scale wine event?
Though many don't like to discuss it, there's always a contingent of attendees that go just to get drunk. I don't advise anyone to do this. Instead, have fun, taste wine, but don't over do it. You will want to remember what you experienced and tasted. Use this opportunity to learn about wine, to find new favorites, and to socialize with other wine lovers.
What is my best advice for attending these Grand Tastings? Like many endeavors, the key is in your preparation. Don't just show up and drink, especially if you want to learn anything. Take some time and make a plan. I've attended numerous of these Expos and, based on my experiences, I'll help you make an informed plan so you can best enjoy the Expo.
Initial Planning
1) Your first decision needs to be which events you want to attend at the Expo. You have the choice of 4 Grand Tasting sessions, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Each ticket costs $95. The Grand Tasting is the main event, where the 100+ wineries and distributors showcase their wines. If you can only go one day, I recommend going to Sunday to avoid the largest crowd. Saturdays are usually the busiest day at the Expo.
2) You should also consider attending one or more their Tasting Classes, which are $65 each, as they can be an excellent choice for more directed wine education in a more intimate setting. A few seminars which sound especially appealing include: For The Love of Sake (Japanese Sake), Portugal From Two Perspectives (Portuguese wines), and Origins of Albariño (A delicious Spanish white wine). Buy tickets early though as seating is limited and seminars can sell out. For example, Intro to Wine Tasting, is already sold out!
3) If attending the Grand Tasting, the sheer number of wines available for tasting is intimidating. To make the most of your time at the Expo, you shouldn't just show up at the Expo and wander around tasting wine. You'll probably miss plenty of wines you wished you had tasted. Instead, I strongly recommend that you make a plan beforehand, deciding which wine regions and/or specific wineries tables you want to visit and taste. Check the list of Participating Exhibitors (which should be on the Expo website in the near future) to see which wineries will be at the Expo and select a number you want to visit.
4) When choosing which winery tables to visit, I also recommend that you don't drink wines you already know and like. You can do that anytime and anywhere else. Instead, take this opportunity to expand your palate and try different wines, hoping to find new wines to enjoy. Never had Portuguese wines? Then make an effort to venture to their tables and try some of their wines, from Vinho Verde to Altejano reds. Never had Greek wines, then check out their wines made from grapes like Xynomavro and Agioritiko. With all the diversity of wines available, it makes little sense to spend your time drinking the same wines you drink at home all the time. Be willing to experiment and taste something different. Make the Expo an opportunity to explore the wide world of wine.
Pre-Expo Preparation
5) How will you get to the Expo? Remember that you will be tasting lots of wines so you may not be able to drive home safely. No one should ever drink and drive! So, if you can, take public transportation, book a nearby hotel room, get an Uber, or have a designated driver. Please don't drink and drive. That is the most important advice in this entire post. DON'T DRINK & DRIVE!!
6) Eat a hearty breakfast or lunch before going to the Expo. If you are going to be tasting all that wine, you should have a full stomach to help nullify some of that alcohol. If you go on an empty stomach, the alcohol will hit you harder and quicker, and you won't last long. There will be some limited food available at these events, but it's much better to start off with a relatively full belly before you even get there.
7) Dress comfortably, noting that there is always the potential you might spill wine on your clothes. So leave those white shirts, blouses, pants, etc. home. It's a casual event so there is no need to get all dressed up, though you are welcome to do so if you desire. Just beware of the possibility of wine spills. It's also very important to wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for hours, walking around the tasting rooms.
8) Please don't wear perfume or cologne as they will interfere with your ability to properly smell the wine, and will also interfere with the ability of other people to do the same. It's very important for a number of attendees to be able to smell all of the aromas within the wines. That becomes so much more difficult when a strong perfume or cologne clouds their sense of smell. So please show consideration for your fellow attendees and don't wear it.
9) Make sure all your electronics, such as your camera and smartphone, are fully charged. It's a pain when your battery dies half way through the Expo and you are unable to take any more photos. You might also be posting to social media while at the Expo so you want sufficient power in your smart phone to keep you going for the while event.
10) If you drive, leave your coat in your car. There isn't a coat check room at the Expo so otherwise you will have to wear or carry your coat throughout the event.
At The Expo
11) When you are tasting wines, please spit. Every sip you swallow adds to your alcohol level and if you do not spit, you will soon find yourself intoxicated. Even small sips can add up quickly. Once you are intoxicated, all of the wines will start tasting good to you and you probably won't learn anything. Spitting is the only way to navigate through a large number of wines, trying to discern which new wines appeal to you. So spit, spit, spit! At the very least, minimize the amount of wines you swallow and spit out the rest.
12) While you're tasting wines, take frequent breaks to drink water and eat snacks to help cleanse your palate. There will be a few vendors selling snacks at these events, such as cookies and candies. Water is also necessary to stay hydrated and the Expo usually has plenty of free water available. All of this will help keep your palate sharp and also try to limit the effect of all that alcohol.
13) Carry some napkins in your pocket. They will help if you spill any wine, letting you quickly blot up such a spill. In addition, your wine glass is likely to get a little sticky after you've tasted a number of wines and a napkin can help clean off your glass for continued tasting. Plus, if you nibble on some food, an extra napkin can come in handy.
14) If you really enjoy a wine, ask questions about whether it is available or not. Unfortunately, not all of the wines poured at these events may yet be available in Massachusetts. If it's available, they should be able to tell you the name of the distributor. Write that info down as it will help you locate the wine later. You can go to your local wine store with that info and they should be able to get the wine for you.
15) If you find a new wine you enjoy, how will you remember it? You can take notes, writing down the name of the wine, or use your smart phone to take a picture of the wine bottle label. Nothing is worse than tasting a great wine but later forgetting its name. You will taste plenty of wines at the Expo so the only way to ensure you remember which ones you enjoyed are to take notes or pictures. Taking a photo of the label is easy and you'll be very glad later that you have a record of your favorite wines.
16) Bring cash/debit card/credit card with you just in case you want to purchase anything at the Expo. There will be some food vendors selling their items, as well as other lifestyle vendors, selling everything from jewelry to culinary knives. Some of these vendors offer special deals for Expo attendees so you can save some money off their regular prices.
17) Most importantly, make sure you have fun!
What is my best advice for attending these Grand Tastings? Like many endeavors, the key is in your preparation. Don't just show up and drink, especially if you want to learn anything. Take some time and make a plan. I've attended numerous of these Expos and, based on my experiences, I'll help you make an informed plan so you can best enjoy the Expo.
Initial Planning
1) Your first decision needs to be which events you want to attend at the Expo. You have the choice of 4 Grand Tasting sessions, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Each ticket costs $95. The Grand Tasting is the main event, where the 100+ wineries and distributors showcase their wines. If you can only go one day, I recommend going to Sunday to avoid the largest crowd. Saturdays are usually the busiest day at the Expo.
2) You should also consider attending one or more their Tasting Classes, which are $65 each, as they can be an excellent choice for more directed wine education in a more intimate setting. A few seminars which sound especially appealing include: For The Love of Sake (Japanese Sake), Portugal From Two Perspectives (Portuguese wines), and Origins of Albariño (A delicious Spanish white wine). Buy tickets early though as seating is limited and seminars can sell out. For example, Intro to Wine Tasting, is already sold out!
3) If attending the Grand Tasting, the sheer number of wines available for tasting is intimidating. To make the most of your time at the Expo, you shouldn't just show up at the Expo and wander around tasting wine. You'll probably miss plenty of wines you wished you had tasted. Instead, I strongly recommend that you make a plan beforehand, deciding which wine regions and/or specific wineries tables you want to visit and taste. Check the list of Participating Exhibitors (which should be on the Expo website in the near future) to see which wineries will be at the Expo and select a number you want to visit.
4) When choosing which winery tables to visit, I also recommend that you don't drink wines you already know and like. You can do that anytime and anywhere else. Instead, take this opportunity to expand your palate and try different wines, hoping to find new wines to enjoy. Never had Portuguese wines? Then make an effort to venture to their tables and try some of their wines, from Vinho Verde to Altejano reds. Never had Greek wines, then check out their wines made from grapes like Xynomavro and Agioritiko. With all the diversity of wines available, it makes little sense to spend your time drinking the same wines you drink at home all the time. Be willing to experiment and taste something different. Make the Expo an opportunity to explore the wide world of wine.
Pre-Expo Preparation
5) How will you get to the Expo? Remember that you will be tasting lots of wines so you may not be able to drive home safely. No one should ever drink and drive! So, if you can, take public transportation, book a nearby hotel room, get an Uber, or have a designated driver. Please don't drink and drive. That is the most important advice in this entire post. DON'T DRINK & DRIVE!!
6) Eat a hearty breakfast or lunch before going to the Expo. If you are going to be tasting all that wine, you should have a full stomach to help nullify some of that alcohol. If you go on an empty stomach, the alcohol will hit you harder and quicker, and you won't last long. There will be some limited food available at these events, but it's much better to start off with a relatively full belly before you even get there.
7) Dress comfortably, noting that there is always the potential you might spill wine on your clothes. So leave those white shirts, blouses, pants, etc. home. It's a casual event so there is no need to get all dressed up, though you are welcome to do so if you desire. Just beware of the possibility of wine spills. It's also very important to wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for hours, walking around the tasting rooms.
8) Please don't wear perfume or cologne as they will interfere with your ability to properly smell the wine, and will also interfere with the ability of other people to do the same. It's very important for a number of attendees to be able to smell all of the aromas within the wines. That becomes so much more difficult when a strong perfume or cologne clouds their sense of smell. So please show consideration for your fellow attendees and don't wear it.
9) Make sure all your electronics, such as your camera and smartphone, are fully charged. It's a pain when your battery dies half way through the Expo and you are unable to take any more photos. You might also be posting to social media while at the Expo so you want sufficient power in your smart phone to keep you going for the while event.
10) If you drive, leave your coat in your car. There isn't a coat check room at the Expo so otherwise you will have to wear or carry your coat throughout the event.
At The Expo
11) When you are tasting wines, please spit. Every sip you swallow adds to your alcohol level and if you do not spit, you will soon find yourself intoxicated. Even small sips can add up quickly. Once you are intoxicated, all of the wines will start tasting good to you and you probably won't learn anything. Spitting is the only way to navigate through a large number of wines, trying to discern which new wines appeal to you. So spit, spit, spit! At the very least, minimize the amount of wines you swallow and spit out the rest.
12) While you're tasting wines, take frequent breaks to drink water and eat snacks to help cleanse your palate. There will be a few vendors selling snacks at these events, such as cookies and candies. Water is also necessary to stay hydrated and the Expo usually has plenty of free water available. All of this will help keep your palate sharp and also try to limit the effect of all that alcohol.
13) Carry some napkins in your pocket. They will help if you spill any wine, letting you quickly blot up such a spill. In addition, your wine glass is likely to get a little sticky after you've tasted a number of wines and a napkin can help clean off your glass for continued tasting. Plus, if you nibble on some food, an extra napkin can come in handy.
14) If you really enjoy a wine, ask questions about whether it is available or not. Unfortunately, not all of the wines poured at these events may yet be available in Massachusetts. If it's available, they should be able to tell you the name of the distributor. Write that info down as it will help you locate the wine later. You can go to your local wine store with that info and they should be able to get the wine for you.
15) If you find a new wine you enjoy, how will you remember it? You can take notes, writing down the name of the wine, or use your smart phone to take a picture of the wine bottle label. Nothing is worse than tasting a great wine but later forgetting its name. You will taste plenty of wines at the Expo so the only way to ensure you remember which ones you enjoyed are to take notes or pictures. Taking a photo of the label is easy and you'll be very glad later that you have a record of your favorite wines.
16) Bring cash/debit card/credit card with you just in case you want to purchase anything at the Expo. There will be some food vendors selling their items, as well as other lifestyle vendors, selling everything from jewelry to culinary knives. Some of these vendors offer special deals for Expo attendees so you can save some money off their regular prices.
17) Most importantly, make sure you have fun!
A list of the participating wineries and distributors has not yet been released. Plus, the full list of Tasting Classes isn't out yet. When that information becomes available, I will post another article with my own recommendations for the wine and spirit booths that Expo attendees should visit.
Hope to see you at the Boston Wine Expo this year!
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