Rant: Drink Like A Colonial!

How times have changed...

According to The Founding Foodies: How Washington, Jefferson and Franklin Revolutinized American Cuisine (2010) by Dave De Witt, during Colonial days, "The common belief was that strong drink made for a strong body and soul; alcohol was believed to be nutritious and healthful, and it was used in medications that could supposedly cure snakebite, frostbite, fever, cold, melancholy, and even a broken leg. Insurance companies raised their rates for nondrinkers, and hard liquor was even more popular in the colonies than in England."

The book continued, "Colonists drank twice as much as Americans do now." In addition, "Regular drinking was normal for all ages, and young students were given ale or hard cider for breakfast. Harvard College even had its own brewery. In courtrooms, all parties, judge and defendant included, passed around and shared bottles of liquor. Stagecoaches stopped every five miles to “water the horses and brandy the gentlemen.” Whiskey was served at house-raisings, huskings, reaping, land clearings, or whenever women gathered to quilt, sew, or perform other communal labor.

And interestingly, during the Revolutionary War, as England blocked shipments of molasses and rum, colonials had tough times. "For drinkers, times were so bad that they were forced to drink spruce and pumpkin beers." Contrast that with today when pumpkin beers are enormously popular, and can be found on store shelves as early as July. 

As for the drinking habits of American today, a recent Gallup Poll provides disturbing news, which have been supported by numerous other recent articles on the same subject. The Gallup Poll stated, "The share of Americans who say they drink alcohol remains at a record-low 54% for the second consecutive year, the lowest reading in Gallup’s trend dating back to 1939." The article continued, "Self-reported drinking fell over the previous three years, from 62% in 2023 to 58% in 2024 and 54% in 2025, before holding steady this year."

One of the major reasons for this decline is that more people consider drinking to have negative health consequences. "Fifty-one percent of U.S. adults now believe drinking one or two alcoholic beverages a day is bad for one’s health. The figure is essentially unchanged from last year’s record-high 53% and marks only the second time since Gallup first asked the question in 2001 that a majority has expressed this view." Back in 2001, only 27% considered it unhealthy. 

The decrease in alcohol consumption has other causes as well, such as the increased use of cannabis and the increased costs of alcohol due to tariffs and other factors. 

One positive with this decline was noted. "As overall drinking has declined, the percentage of Americans who say they sometimes drink too much has also fallen, reaching a new low of 13%. Before 2000, more than 20% of Americans routinely reported overdrinking, including a record-high 35% in 1989." 

If they consume alcohol, what are Americans drinking? Beer, at 36% is the most popular, followed closely by spirits at 32% and wine at 30%. During the past ten years, beer dropped 7 percentage points while liquor rose by 12 points, although wine has remained largely consistent. Gender plays a significant role in these percentages, with 56% of men, as opposed to 16% of women, preferring beer.  45% of women, as opposed to 15% of men, prefer wine. And 37% of women, as opposed to 26% of men, favor spirits.

So, here's some questions for discussion or contemplation:

• Has your alcohol consumption decreased in recent years? If so, what are the reasons for the decrease? Health concerns? Cannabis consumption? Price? Other? 
• Do you prefer to drink beer, seltzers, wine or spirits? Has that preference changed in recent years?
• What might cause you to increase your overall alcohol consumption? 

Rant: Permission & Food/Drink Risks

Give yourself permission to take a food or drink risk.

You don't need to follow the conventional options, and conform to the norms. You can, and should, think outside the box and be willing to try different and more unusual options, to break outside of your comfort zone. Try new foods and drinks, expanding the horizons of your palate. 

Complacency is easy. It takes no effort to order the same dish every time you go out to a restaurant. It takes no effort to buy the same wine every time you visit a wine shop. It also takes no effort to eat and drink the same things as everyone else. They are the safe choices, those which won't rock the boat. There's no risk that you won't like what you eat or drink. You know exactly what you're getting, and frankly, that can be boring.

There is nothing wrong with taking risks. You simply need to take that first step, to let yourself take a chance on something new and different. Sure, it may seem a bit scary at first, but that is merely a psychological barrier which you can easily overcome. The reward for taking that risk can be enormous, the discovery of a new food or drink which excites and satisfies you. You could uncover a new favorite, something to tantalize and please your palate. However, that cannot happen unless you are willing to take a risk.

Consider the recent Boston Wine Expo. If you attended their grand wine tasting, which wines did you taste? Did you stick to the wines you already knew well? Or did you seek out wines that were unfamiliar to you, wines from different regions, wines using less common grapes? Did you take any risks in your wine tasting, or did you choose to play it safe?

When you dine out, do you only eat at Boston restaurants? Do you shy away from traveling to suburban restaurants? Or do you take a risk and visit those suburban spots, to discover the wonders of their culinary skills? When you dine out a a restaurant, do you always order the chicken dish? If you dine at an Italian restaurant, do you only order the Chicken Parmigiana? Or do you prefer to order the special, no matter whether it's seafood, beef, chicken, lamb or something else? Do you play it safe with the menu or take risks?

A few days ago, I visited the Ipswich Shellfish Fish Market, in Ipswich, which is only open on Friday and Saturday. It's my favorite local seafood market for fresh and frozen products, offering quality seafood at reasonable prices. This past weekend, one of their offerings was Cod Cheeks, a rare delicacy that is difficult to find at most fish markets. As there are only two cheeks per cod, it's obvious why they are harder to find. They are delicious, resembling scallops in some respects, and can be cooked like a scallop. However, how many customers, who might never have tasted cod cheeks, would take a risk and order them?  

Break out of your routine. Break out of your complacency. Break out of your boring, same old choices. Instead, take risks and explore the myriad of choices that are available to you. Unless you take those risks, you'll never know what you are missing, the great wines and foods that you could be enjoying. We all need to take a close look at the choices we make concerning our food and drinks, and ascertain those areas where we play it safe, and where we could benefit from taking some risk.  

Personally, I love to take food and drink risks, to taste something new. There's no guarantee that I will enjoy the new food or drink, but I'd never know unless I take that risk. And sometimes I find a new favorite, which I would not have found otherwise. The reward of finding these favorites outweighs the minor risk of trying new foods and drinks. 

Give yourself permission to take a food or drink risk.

Boston Wine Expo: My Advice For Attending

The Boston Wine Expo is returning in 2026, for its fourth year, back at the Park Plaza Hotel, on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. The 2-day event will feature over 100 participating wineries from all over the U.S. and select international ones as well. The new Expo is organized by Raffaele Scalzi, the Boston Wine Expo Show Director and Founder of Scalzi Hospitality Corporation. I've attended the prior Expos and want to offer some advice for attendees who plan to attend next March.

At the Expo, you'll be confronted with hundreds of different wines and spirits, which can be overwhelming. There's no way, in the limited, two-hour period of your tasting session, that you can taste all of the wines, or even a large percentage, so what should you do? What's 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. If you just want to get drunk at the Expo, why not just stay home instead or go to a bar?

*********************

What's 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 $89-$93.08 (a slight decrease from last year). 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 as the crowds are smaller as Saturdays are usually the busiest day at the Expo. 

2) You should also consider attending one or more of their Tasting Classes, as they can be an excellent choice for more directed wine education in a more intimate setting. Twelve Tasting Class will be scheduled, but none of those seminars are yet listed. Once they are listed, I will provide some recommendations on which Tasting Classes sound the like most interesting. When the Tasting Classes become available, I suggest you buy your tickets early as seating is limited and seminars can sell out. 

3) If attending the Grand Tasting, the sheer number of wines available for tasting is intimidating. To make the most of your limited 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 currently lists only last year's exhibitors) to see which wineries will be at the Expo and select a number you want to visit. The Exhibitors for 2026 will be announced in the near future. 

4) When choosing which winery tables to visit, I 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 Croatian wines? Then make an effort to venture to their table and try some of their wines, from Posip to Plavac Mali. Never had Greek wines, then check out their wines made from grapes like Xynomavro and Agioritiko. Seek out other wines from Portugal, Georgia (the country), Massachusetts and elsewhere. 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're 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 very limited food available at these events, but it's much better to start off with a relatively full belly before you even get there. And after the Grand Tasting, you could walk somewhere close to have lunch or dinner, to continue soaking up all that alcohol. 

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's 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 at least a couple 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 wines, 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.

At The Expo

10) When you are tasting wines, please spit. Every table should have at least one spit bucket available. Every sip you swallow adds to your alcohol level and if you don't spit, you'll soon find yourself intoxicated. Even small sips can add up quickly. Once you're 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.

11) 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.

12) 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.

13) 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.

14) 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 cell 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.

15) Bring cash or a credit/debit 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.

16) Most importantly, make sure you have fun!

A list of the participating wineries and distributors has not yet been released. Plus, the 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 in the Spring!

The Boston Wine Expo Returns in 2026

The Boston Wine Expo is returning in 2026, back at the Park Plaza Hotel, on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. The 2-day event will feature over 100 participating wineries from all over the U.S. and select international ones as well. The new Expo is organized by Raffaele Scalzi, the Boston Wine Expo Show Director and Founder of Scalzi Hospitality Corporation.  

There will be two Grand Tastings on both Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. At each Grand Tasting, you will be able to taste many different wines, to expand your palate and experience wines that are new to you. Please note that tickets to one Grand Tasting do not allow you access to any of the other Grand Tasting events. Tickets are now available HERE. The Saturday 1:30-3:30 session costs $89, while the other three sessions cost $93.08. I'll note this is a slight decrease from last year's price of $95 per session.

They are planning to have 12 different Tasting Classes, but none of them have been listed yet. Last year,  each class lasted 90 minutes, and tickets cost $75 per person. I'm sure that the schedule of Tasting Classes will likely be added in the near future. So, just keep an eye on their website to learn what new Tasting Classes get added.  

A list of the participating wineries and distributors has also not yet been released. When that information becomes available, I will post an article with my own recommendations for the wine and spirit booths that Expo attendees should visit. 

I've attended the prior Boston Wine Expos, and overall, I've been very pleased to see its return. It's a smaller, and more intimate event than what the Expo used to be when it was at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center. I have tasted numerous excellent wines at these events during the last two years. I would like to see more diversity in the wines they showcase, but we shall see what this years bring. In the near future, I'll also post my advice and suggestions for making the most of your Boston Wine Expo experience.  

For additional information, sponsorship + exhibitor opportunities, and to purchase tickets, please visit Boston Wine Expo. 

Non-Rant: Choosing A Wine Store

Introduction: Over 18 years ago, on May 9, 2007, I posted the following article with advice on Choosing A Wine Store. It was only the second article ever posted on The Passionate Foodie blog (and now there are over 5500 articles). With the first anniversary of Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet having occurred last Friday, I thought once again about this old article. I believe it's held up very well, and although today I might make some minor tweaks to it, the basic ideas remain solid. So, I'm presenting it as it was originally posted, without any revisions or changes. 

*************************

If you wish to just pick up a bottle of wine, something under $10, then almost any store would do. Any local package store, grocery store or wine shop could cater to that need. But, what if you desire more than that? What if you are looking for a good wine store, a place to buy some different wines, maybe a case or two? What are the factors that differentiate the good wine stores from the mediocre ones?

Price: One of the primary factors for many people is price. We all want a good bargain when making any purchase. And wine prices can vary, sometimes significantly from store to store. You can see the price for the same bottle vary from $1 to $20 dependent where you buy it. Some stores cater to less expensive wines, such as $15 and under. Other stores have a variety, with some less expensive wines but also a selection of pricier ones too. Much will depend on the type of wine you are seeking.

Bottle price alone is not always indicative of the expense of a store. Many stores offer discounts, such as 10-20%, for purchasing a case of wine. And usually that can be a mixed case. So, even though a store's prices may be a bit higher than another store, the case discount may even matters out. In addition, some places run regular sales where you can get bargains. There are also stores that run promotions where you earn points based on your purchases, providing special gifts once you have acquired a certain amount of points.

Selection: You generally want a store that has a diverse selection of wines. Who wants to see the same old wines all the time? Some stores specialize in certain wine regions. Others may sell wines from more unusual regions. A good selection will also include varied prices, from $10 to $100 bottles, something for everyone. Remember that there are literally thousands of wines available so no store can carry them all. But, do look for places that try to acquire a good variety of wines from a number of regions.

Service: You want friendly and helpful staff at a good store. They should have a good knowledge of wine and those they sell. They should be personable and not snooty and pretentious. They should make you feel welcome rather than nervous. They should offer suggestions and recommendations without being pushy. Good service can include being able to order wine for you if they do not carry what you want.

There are a number of other factors, of less importance, but which can enhance or detract from your wine buying experience.

Appearance: A good wine store is clean and should not have dust all over their wine bottles. Display racks should be easy to see the individual bottles and their prices. They might have note cards describing the wines, or providing ratings and reviews from wine magazines.

Tastings: A good wine store will hold free tastings where you can try some of their wines. This can help you decide on which wines you might like to buy. Many stores now have weekly tastings.

Extras: A good wine store will sell more than just wine. They might sell other alcoholic drinks, from beer to hard liquors. They might also sell various foods, such as cheeses, chocolates and sauces. This can make the wine store a better one-stop place to stock up for a festive evening.

Website/Email: A good wine store will have a website providing information about the store and any upcoming events. Some even may an email list that will keep you up to date on their events.

But, there is one factor which I think is the most important of all. Passion.

Passion: The best sign of a good wine store is the passion of the owner. You can see that passion in them when they help you, when they answer your questions and make suggestions. The owner clearly enjoys wine, and is sincere in desiring to spread that joy to others. You can see that passion in them when they help you, when they answer your questions and make suggestions. These are the store owners who will truly work at making a good store. They will take care to make your experience as fine as possible. Their passion will show in every aspect of their wine store, elevating them above the rest.

No one wine store will probably cater to all of your needs, especially selection-wise. So, it is beneficial to visit different wine stores, to see what wines they offer that other stores do not. Your favorite wine store might not stock Greek wines but another store might. Your favorite wine store might sell 12 different Oregon pinot noirs but you might be looking for an Oregon producer that your store does not sell. But, in the end, you will probably have one or two wine stores which you frequent often, those places which you feel are the best. And I am willing to bet that the owners of those places have a true passion for wine.

Boston Wine Expo: Advice For Attending

The Boston Wine Expo is returning in 2025, for its third year, back at the Park Plaza Hotel, on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. The 2-day event will feature over 100 participating wineries from all over the U.S. and select international ones as well. The new Expo is organized by Raffaele Scalzi, the Boston Wine Expo Show Director and Founder of Scalzi Hospitality Corporation. I've attended the last two Expos and want to offer some advice for attendees this year.

At the Expo, you'll be confronted with hundreds of different wines and spirits, which can be overwhelming. There's no way, in the limited time period of your tasting session, that you can taste all of the wines, or even a large percentage, so what should you do? What's 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. If you just want to get drunk at the Expo, why not just stay home instead?

What's 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 same price as last year). 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 as the crowds are smaller as Saturdays are usually the busiest day at the Expo. 

2) You should also consider attending one or more of their Tasting Classes, which are $75 each ($10 more than last year), as they can be an excellent choice for more directed wine education in a more intimate setting. Only four seminars are currently listed, including The Grand Crus of Spain, Australian Wine Today, Champagne--Beyond the Bubbles, and French Wine Essentials. More seminars are likely to be added during the next few months. Buy tickets early as seating is limited and seminars can sell 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 currently lists last year's exhibitors but will list the 2025 exhibitors 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 Croatian wines? Then make an effort to venture to their table and try some of their wines, from Posip to Plavac Mali. Never had Greek wines, then check out their wines made from grapes like Xynomavro and Agioritiko. Seek out other wines from Portugal, Georgia, Massachusetts and elsewhere. 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're 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 very limited food available at these events, but it's much better to start off with a relatively full belly before you even get there. And after the Grand Tasting, you could walk somewhere close to have lunch or dinner, to continue soaking up all that alcohol. 

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's 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 at least a couple 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 wines, 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 table should have at least one spit bucket available. Every sip you swallow adds to your alcohol level and if you don't spit, you'll 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 cell 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 or a credit/debit 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!

The Boston Wine Expo: Once Again In April 2025

The Boston Wine Expo is returning in 2025, back at the Park Plaza Hotel, on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. The 2-day event will feature over 100 participating wineries from all over the U.S. and select international ones as well. The new Expo is organized by Raffaele Scalzi, the Boston Wine Expo Show Director and Founder of Scalzi Hospitality Corporation.  

There will be two Grand Tastings on both Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. At each Grand Tasting, you will be able to taste many different wines, to expand your palate and experience wines that are new to you. Please note that tickets to one Grand Tasting do not allow you access to any of the other Grand Tasting events. Tickets are now available HERE and cost $95 per person (the same price as last year). 

There are also currently 4 Tasting Class events scheduled, including The Grand Crus of Spain, History/Evolution/Revolution--Australian Wine Today, Champagne-Beyond the Bubbles, and French Wine Essentials. Each class lasts 90 minutes, and tickets cost $75 per person. I'm sure that additional Tasting Classes will likely be added in the near future. So, just keep an eye on their website to learn what new Tasting Classes get added.  

A list of the participating wineries and distributors has not yet been released. When that information becomes available, I will post an article with my own recommendations for the wine and spirit booths that Expo attendees should visit. 

I've attended the last two Boston Wine Expos, and overall, I've been very pleased to see its return. It's a smaller, and more intimate event than what the Expo used to be when it was at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center. I have tasted numerous excellent wines at these events during the last two years. In the near future, I'll also post my advice and suggestions for making the most of your Boston Wine Expo experience.  

For additional information, sponsorship + exhibitor opportunities, and to purchase tickets, please visit Boston Wine Expo. 

Qualities of the Better Wine Stores

If you want to purchase an inexpensive wine, one of the major large brands, then you can probably find it at almost any store that sells wine, from your local package store to some grocery stores. However, what if you desire something more, if you want a more diverse and interesting wine selection? What are the factors that differentiate the excellent wine shops from the mediocre ones? What transforms a neighborhood wine shop into a destination wine store?

Here are what I consider to be the three main factors of concern to wine lovers: 

Price: We all want a good value when making a wine purchase. Wine prices, from store to store, can vary, sometimes significantly, and you can find the price for the same bottle vary from $1 to $20, if not more, dependent where you buy it. The smaller, independent wine shops may have higher prices than the huge wine store chains, but that's because the small store pays a higher wholesale price than the big chains, who are able to order large quantities of wine, at a significant discount. That's something a smaller wine store is unable to do so they cannot match the lower prices of the chain stores. 

Consumers also need to realize that bottle price alone is not always indicative of the expense of a store. Many stores offer discounts, such as 5-20%, dependent on the number of bottles that you purchase. So, even though a store's prices may be a bit higher than another store, the wine discounts may help to even matters out. 

At the better smaller stores, the staff can also help point out some of the best value wines, at various price points, in the shop. At some of the large chain stores, they may point out the wines with the best profit margins for the store, rather than the best value for the consumer. It's also important to know that the better small stores make up their disadvantage on price with the large chain stores by providing other advantages, such as selection and service.   

Selection: The better wine stores tend to have a greater diversity in the selection of their wines. They seek to stand out from their competition by offering wines that many other shops in the area don't carry. They become wine destinations, where wine lovers will take the time to travel to that shop, seeking their more unique selections. Why not seek a wine shop which not only sells wines from the classic regions, like France, Italy and California, but also wines from Croatia, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Lebanon, and more? 

The better shops often tend to source wines from smaller wineries, often family-owned. They may stock some big brand names, but their heart is in lesser known, and often small wineries, which still provide , high quality and delicious wines. The large chain stores, dealing in volume, are much less likely to carry wines from these smaller wineries. A larger chain stores may carry more labels, but that often means they just have a larger selection of well known wine brands. 

The better wine stores are much more than just a neighborhood wine store, and appeal to wine consumers from all of the surrounding communities, as well as those willing to drive from further away because of the store's intriguing wine selection. For myself, I easily drive half an hour or more to seek a better selection of wines. 

A better wine selection will also include varied prices, from $10 to $100+ bottles, something for everyone. Wines for every day drinking and wines for special occasions or gifts. However, one must remember that there are many thousands of wines available in the world so no one store can carry even a small percentage of all of the available choices but you should seek places which try to acquire a good variety of wines from a number of regions. It's boring to go to a wine store that stocks the same selection as many other shops. I certainly want diversity in my wine selection. Don't you?

Service: You also should want friendly and helpful staff at the better stores. They should have a good knowledge of wine and those they sell. They should be personable and not snooty and pretentious. They should make you feel welcome rather than nervous. Wine can be intimidating to many people but it shouldn't have to be. The proper employees should offer wine suggestions and recommendations without being pushy. Good service can include being able to order wine for you if that shop does not carry what you want. This personal service can be lacking in the large chain stores.

There are a number of other factors, of less importance, but which can enhance or detract from your overall wine buying experience.

Appearance: A good wine store should be clean and not have dust all over their wine bottles. Display racks should be easy to see the individual bottles and their prices. They might have shelf talkers, note cards, describing the wines, or providing reviews from wine magazines. The shop would be well lit, and feel welcoming. 

Tastings: A better wine store will hold free wine tastings, often on at least a weekly basis, where you can try some of their wines. Tasting a wine is a great way to help you decide on whether you want to buy a specific wine or not. You might be intrigued by a particular bottle, but not willing to take a risk on buying it because you may worry you won't like it. Wine tastings prevent some of that risk. Tastings should also be for more different wines. Big brand names don't really need tastings because so many people already know what they taste like. Tastings should get consumers to try something new and different, to expand their palates. 

Extras: A better wine store will probably sell more than just wine. They might sell other alcoholic drinks, from beer to hard liquors. They might also sell various foods, such as cheeses, chocolates and sauces. This can make the wine store a better one-stop place to stock up for a festive evening.

Website/Email: A better wine store will have a website providing information about the store and any upcoming events. They might also be on social media, from Facebook to Instagram. Some even may have an email list or newsletter that will keep you up to date on their future events.

But, there is one more factor which I think is the most important of all: Passion.

Passion: The best sign of a better wine store is the passion of the people who work there, from the owners to the employees. You can feel that passion when they assist you, when they answer your wine questions and make suggestions. They aren't trying to sell you the most expensive bottle that they can. They work with you within your price point to select the best wine within those parameters. When they describe their recommendations, you feel their love for wine. You understand that these people clearly enjoy wine, and are sincere in desiring to spread that joy to their customers. They will take care to make your experience as fine as possible. And they will spread that passion to you.

Time to open a bottle of wine.

Rant: My Heretical Opinion: Duck Wings > Chicken Wings

Happy National Chicken Wings Day! This food holiday began in 1977 and is dedicated to celebrating the chicken wing, in all its varieties. However, I'm going to offer a heretical opinion today. 

As a general rule: Duck Wings are much better than Chicken Wings.

Unfortunately, chicken wings get all the attention and they're available in many, many restaurants, most often as an appetizer. There are even numerous restaurants that specialize in chicken wings, offering them with a variety of sauces, as well as with or without bones. Chicken wings are a popular snack for watching sporting events, especially as they are easily made at home. 

However, how many restaurants do you know that serve duck wings? It's likely that you don't know any, or maybe just one or two.  I'm only aware of a handful in the local area that serve them, and most often just as specials. When was the last time you prepared duck wings at home? Again, most people have probably never done so. Duck wings just don't get the proper respect they deserve. There isn't even a National Duck Wings Day! 

Part of the reason for the ubiquity of chicken wings is likely that they are usually inexpensive. I've seen some restaurants and bars offer wings for as little as 25 cents each. In addition, about 9 billion chickens are killed annually for food, so there's plenty of available wings. Only about 31 million ducks are killed each year, roughly equivalent to 0.3% of the amount of chickens.

Chicken is generally a mild meat, and the sauce used on the wings is vitally important. Some might say that chicken wings are essentially a rather bland vehicle for the sauce. The most compelling, and tastiest part of the chicken wing might be its skin.

Duck wings on the other hand are abundant with flavor. The taste of the duck, with its crispy skin, rich flavors and bit of gaminess, are compelling. It is definitely not a mild or bland meat, and that is why they are better than chicken wings. Any sauce and seasonings on the duck wings is intended to complement the taste of the duck, and is not as important as it is with chicken wings.

Duck wings may have less meat than chicken wings, and might be a little tougher if not cooked properly, but neither of those is reason enough to choose chicken wings over duck wings. I would much rather have less meat, if it has more flavor, than an abundance of much less flavorful meat. I've eaten plenty of chicken wings over the years, but they rarely are especially memorable. I've eaten far less duck wings, only due to their lack of availability, but they are usually memorable.

I've enjoyed some of my favorite Duck Wings at A Tavola, in Winchester, which occasionally has Crispy Duck Confit Wings as a special appetizer. They are absolutely delicious, with crispy skin atop moist, tender and flavorful meat. 

It bears repeating: Duck Wings are much better than Chicken Wings.

Non-Rant: Selecting A Special Occasion Restaurant

Which restaurant should you choose for a special occasion? It's a question I've been pondering for the last couple weeks, as I decide which restaurant I'll visit for my own special occasion at the end of this week. 

The answer isn't always easy, and will depend on many different factors, from price to cuisine. It's a question I've often seen asked on numerous forums, and a question I've been asked by many people. I want to offer Ten Restaurant Recommendations, which will fit a variety of needs, places which I find to be consistently good and definitely worthy of your patronage. These are places I especially love, and which I've also recommended to many others. 

I also want to note that my list only includes restaurants located outside of Boston. There are plenty of lists of Boston restaurants, but far fewer for those outside of it. In addition, this list is far from comprehensive, but is more just a small selection of some of my favorites. 

When considering where to celebrate your special occasion, there's a number of questions you should ask yourself, to help narrow down the possibilities. How much do you want to spend? Do you want to splurge, or be more economical in your choice? Will your celebration be for breakfast, lunch or dinner? How many people will be celebrating with you? Is there a specific type of cuisine that you desire? Are you looking for a more intimate venue? Will you be accompanied by children? Does anyone in your group have any dietary restrictions? Do you want an excellent wine list or a large selection of beers on tap? And there's even more questions you can ask as well.

As you consider these questions, and others, here's my top suggestions. And I'll be celebrating later this week at one of these ten restaurants.

Nightshade Noodle Bar (Lynn): For a splurge, Nightshade offers inventive and delicious French/Vietnamese inspired-cuisine, with their own unique spin, in multi-course tasting menus. Its wine and cocktail program is also excellent. It's a more intimate spot and is one of my Top Three Favorite restaurants. I'll be dining there later this month celebrating one of my own special occasions. As it's very popular, try to make reservations as far ahead as possible. 

The Bancroft (Burlington): Also for a splurge, and for either lunch or dinner, the Bancroft is one of my favorite steakhouses. I've dined there most often for lunch for special occasions, and those lunches have always been excellent. Steak may be their speciality but you'll find plenty of other delicious dishes, from Fried Clams to a Duck Confit Sandwich. 

Pellana Prime Steakhouse (Peabody): Pellana is another classic steakhouse, a place to splurge, with an excellent wine list. Sure, you could easily go to one of the chain steakhouses, but these more independent places will surprise you with their quality. 

Ithaki (Peabody): This Greek restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and most everything has a Greek flair. The food is delicious, and portion-size is often ample and reasonably priced. They offer numerous Greek wines on their list, and I recommend you check out those wines instead of the usual suspects from California and France. 

Row 34 (Burlington): For both lunch and dinner, this is a great spot for fresh seafood, from oysters to tuna crudo, from fried clams to lobster rolls. Their lunch menu even has an excellent Tuna Melt! They also have a very good wine list and creative cocktails. I've celebrated here a number of times, for both lunch and dinner.

A Tavola (Winchester): For a more intimate spot for dinner, and which serves excellent Italian cuisine, check out A Tavola. Their home-made pasta is superb, and you can also find some intriguing and delicious specials, from chicken fried quail to duck wings. Their Italian cuisine is as good as anything you'll find in the North End. Their wine list concentrates on Italian wines, and there are many very good choices. Plus, they have recently expanded their size, adding a wine bar and additional seating. 

Il Ponte (Woburn): Another intimate, Italian restaurant, with killer home-made pasta, amazing Neapolitan pizza, and plenty of other delicious dishes. Again, this is a restaurant with Italian cuisine as good as anything you'll find in the North End. It has a primarily Italian wine list, with some high-end wines available by the glass. Excellent hospitality, a charming chef/owner, and everyone I've recommended has been thoroughly impressed by the restaurant. 

Tambo 22 (Chelsea): For a splurge, and a more unique cuisine, check out this Peruvian restaurant. It's also a more intimate spot, and should impress your celebrants. The food is delicious, interesting, and hearty. They also have a full drinks program, including numerous Peruvian spirits and a variety of Pisco Sour cocktails.

Prince Pizzeria (Saugus): This restaurant has existed on Route 1 for 60 years, and is a place I've been going to since I was a child. It's a large, casual spot for pizza and Italian cuisine, and its tasty pizza is basically its own unique and delicious style. You can easily book a large celebratory party, at a reasonable price, here. It's a very family friendly spot, and everyone from children to adults loves pizza so it's a great choice for all. 

Nick & Andy's (Danvers): Sometimes, you want a breakfast celebration, and my top choice for such would be Nick & Andy's. The food is fresh, delicious and there's plenty of variety. Try their fresh-baked muffins or hash browns (which are tougher to find locally). Prices are reasonable and service is very good. 

Rant: Put The Cellphone Down!

Cellphone use is ubiquitous, and far too many people have great difficulty lifting their heads from the screens of their phones, no matter what they are doing, or from holding phone conversations. They walk down the street, looking at their phones rather than looking out for others who are walking in their path. When these individuals visit a restaurant or store, they sometimes continue using their phone even when a server comes to their table or they go to the register to make their purchase.

That needs to stop! Put the cellphone down!

First, it's rude as the server or cashier generally needs to engage you in conversation, maybe to ask you questions. It's difficult to do so if you are talking to someone on the phone, or texting, or surfing the Internet. Second, it's dehumanizing to the server or cashier, as your attention is on your phone and you aren't treating them as a human being, but rather as if they were an automaton or piece of machinery. Third, mistakes can easily be made as you aren't paying sufficient attention and may not properly understand whatever questions the server or cashier asks you.

If you have to make a call, then handle the call before you go to the cashier or the server comes to your table. Once you get in front of the cashier or the server approaches, put your phone away or down. Give your full attention to the server or cashier. Treat them as a human being, with respect. Engage in some actual face to face social interaction. Your life is far greater than the tiny screen of your cell phone.

I've encountered this situation numerous times and it's clear from their telephone conversations that it almost never is an emergency. There is no absolute need for them to be speaking on the phone when they are purchasing their products. And it is more difficult to handle their transaction as asking them relevant questions isn't easy. I know others feel the same way too.

Have some consideration and put your cellphone down!

Rant: Become a Wine Activist

"With our wine purchases, I believe, we can help advance regional peace, provide support for farmers in war-torn regions, have a voice in geopolitics, and aid in economic recoveries."

--Peter Weltman

When you purchase a bottle of wine, you're not just buying some alcohol. It can be a political decision, a moral decision, an economic decision. You can become, and should be, a wine activist. 

Back in 2017, SevenFiftyDaily published a fascinating article, "How Wine Buyers Can Become Activists" by Peter Weltman, a sommelier and writer in San Francisco. Peter describes how his view of being a sommelier shifted, of how he became more of an activist by "leveraging wine’s privileged standing to improve people’s lives." He even created a hashtag for this activism, #BorderlessWine, reflective of being adventurous in one's wine choices, going beyond the usual suspects. 

Unfortunately, much of the discussion on this topic has died off in the last several years. It was popular for a couple of years, but for unknown reasons, it didn't last. Peter's website is apparently gone, and the #BorderlessWine hashtag isn't used any longer. His thoughts though are probably even more important now than ever, in these politically turbulent times, so I wanted to promote his ideas once again. 

Wine is often seen as a mere luxury, something of little importance in the greater picture considering all of the problems in out world. However, wine purchases can actually have a significant impact in numerous ways, even on a global basis. Such purchases are vital to the economies and political stability of numerous countries. It can be a valuable export, provided other countries are willing to buy their wines. To assist these countries, we should consider that potential impact when we decide which wines to buy for our consumption.

In his article, Peter discusses wines made in Israel, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, Palestine, and Georgia. One of the first examples he mentioned included a collaboration between a Palestinian grape grower and an Israeli winery. He continued on, mentioning Chateau Musar which continued to produce excellent wine through the unrest in Lebanon. These are people and countries worthy of your support, who are also producing quality wines. 

One of Peter's primary points is that "Financial support of a country’s wines contributes to the well-being of regions, countries, and producers." Countries like Greece, whose economy has undergone much turbulence, economically benefit if more people purchase their wines. Georgia, which is still recovering from when Russia controlled the country, also benefits from more people buying their wines. With our wallets and pocket books, we can help to bring about positive change. Although not mentioned in the article, Croatia falls into this category as well, having only achieved their independence about 30 years ago. Buying their wines supports that country, and I can personally attest to how many excellent wines they produce. 

Your support of wines from these regions should be easy because these countries are making plenty of delicious and interesting wines, often from unique and indigenous grapes. They often have lengthy wine histories, extending thousands of years into the past. They produce all types of wines, reds, whites, rosé, sparkling, dessert, fortified, and more. Wine lovers can learn so much by exploring these regions. I've introduced numerous people to wines from these regions and most often receive positive feedback from these people.

I strongly urge you to read Peter's article and then give much more consideration to which wines you purchase. Try to support and improve these regions by purchasing their wines, as well as spreading the word about their wines. If you are so inclined, become more of an advocate for these wines, becoming an unofficial ambassador. I often passionately advocate for these wine region, and will continue to do so. Please join me in this endeavor.

As Peter concludes, "Wine transcends borders and bridges cultures, and it can be used to improve lives if we make the right purchases."

Rant: Summer Is NOT Rosé Season!

The advertisements and media articles have begun, and will continue for the next several months, promoting the upcoming Rosé season. Distributors are promoting Rosé season to their wine store customers, who will start stocking a variety of Rosé wines. Everyone is being told that Summer is Rosé season. 

However, there's a major problem with all of this: Rosé season doesn't exist! 

It's a pervasive myth, a wrongful stereotype, that spring and summer herald Rosé season. The simple fact is that Rosé is appropriate year-round, even in the winter. Many of those perpetuating the myth of Rosé season know better, but they choose to ignore the truth. Stop deluding the public and embrace the reality of Rosé every month of the year. 

Sure, a chilled Rosé can taste wonderful on a hot, summer day, but it can equally satisfy when you are at home during a snow storm. It's extremely food friendly, and there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't enjoy it with the same roast chicken or seafood dish you serve in the summer or winter. 

Even though many people drink more white wine than red in the summer, most continue to drink white wine all year round, including the winter. Why should Rosé be any different? For example, Rosé is a great choice for your Thanksgiving feast. And it doesn't matter how cold it might be on Thanksgiving, or even if it snows. 

The situation has slowly improved during the last several years but change is still needed. The myth that Rosé wine is just for the summer needs to be shattered. Wine writers should promote Rosé year round rather than jump on the bandwagon and only proclaim that summer is the season for Rosé, misleading the public. If these writers recommended Rosé year round, then Rosé consumption would grow even more. 

There are some wine stores which stock Rosé throughout the year, which they should, and if your local shop doesn't, then you should recommend that they stock it. And if they don't bring in some Rosé, then seek elsewhere for this wine. 

From 2017 to 2021, worldwide consumption of Rosé has risen to about 9.5% of all still wine consumed. Rosé production, from 2001 to 2021, has also risen by 25%. France is the largest consumer of Rosé, drinking about 35% of all production, while the U.S. is in second place, consuming about 15%. Germany is in third place with about 7%. Rosé wine continues to grow, and will get even larger if people embrace the fact it is a year-round wine, and not just a seasonal one. 

 I drink Rosé all year round and strongly encourage everyone else to do so as well.

Rant: At The Store Register, Put Your Cellphone Down!

Cellphone use is so ubiquitous, and far too many people have great difficulty lifting their heads from the screens of their phones no matter what they're doing. They walk down the street, looking at their phones rather than looking out for others who are walking in their path. They even drive, looking down at their cellphones, despite it being illegal in Massachusetts as well as extremely dangerous. This situation has gotten far out of control. 

When these individuals visit a store, from a book shop to a wine shop, they continue using their phone even when they go to the register to make their purchase.

That needs to stop!

First, it's rude as the cashier generally needs to engage you in conversation when you make your purchase. It's hard to do so if you are talking to someone on the phone, or texting, or surfing the Internet. Second, it's dehumanizing to the cashier, as your attention is on your phone and you aren't treating the cashier as a human being, but rather as if they were an automaton. Third, mistakes can easily be made as you aren't paying sufficient attention and may not properly understand whatever questions the cashier asks you.

If you have to make a call, then handle the call before you go to the cashier. Once you get in front of the cashier, put your phone away or down. Give your full attention to the cashier. Treat them as a human being. Engage in some actual face-to-face social interaction. Your life is far greater than the tiny screen of your cell phone.

I've seen this occur numerous times and it's clear from their telephone conversations that it isn't an emergency. It's not a conversation that couldn't wait until after you complete your transaction at the register. 

Have some consideration, engage in some courtesy, and put your cellphone down.

For The Upcoming Boston Wine Expo: Tasting Recommendations

The Boston Wine Expo will be here in about two weeks, held once again at the Park Plaza Hotel. The large-scale tasting event will be held on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3 and Tickets are still available. The 2-day event will feature over 100 participating wineries from all over the U.S. and select international ones as well. 

Last month, I provided Advice on Attending the Expo and now I'm here to provide some Tasting Recommendations, the exhibitors at the Expo where you should stop and sample their wines. At the Grand Tasting, there will be hundreds of wines which you can taste, which is an overwhelming amount of wine. As you can only practically sample a tiny fraction of those wines, which should you choose to taste?

When choosing which winery tables to visit, I 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. 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. 

To assist in your choices, I'm going to provide you with my own recommendations for some wine tables you should check out. This list will include exhibitors which I visited at last year's Expo and thoroughly enjoyed. Others on the list will include wines which I know well and believe worthy of your attention. Of these recommendations, they are also the wine tables which I will be visiting this year, seeing what new wines they are presenting. 

There are obviously other wine tables which may interest you, and which I will check out too. Although the Expo website presents a list of all of the Exhibitors, it doesn't present a list of the wines which each exhibitor will offer at the Expo. So, consider my recommendations an excellent starting point, and after checking out those exhibitors, explore the rest of the Expo.  

Croatian Wines

I love Croatian wines, and have twice visited the country, visiting dozens of wineries and tasting hundreds of wines. Their wines are diverse, delicious and interesting, a significant number using indigenous grapes you won't find elsewhere. Croatian Premium Wines will be at the Expo, showcasing a number of excellent Croatian wines. They are the importer of these wines, and their wines are readily available locally, as well as through online sales. So, if you find Croatian wines you enjoy, you will be able to later purchase them. 

Portuguese Wines
As I've often said, Portugal produces some of the best value wines in the world and if you want inexpensive, but delicious, wines then you need to explore Portugal. Portugal has lots of intriguing, indigenous grapes, making their wines unique in a number of ways. Portugal also makes many fine, higher end wines as well, including delicious Ports. Brands of Portugal will be at the Expo once again, showcasing many intriguing Portuguese wines. Four of their wines I tasted at last year's Expo ended up on my Top Twenty Wines of 2023. I'm sure they will have some new wines this year, some of which could end up on my list of the best wines of 2024. 

Georgian Wines
The country not the state. Once part of the Soviet Union, Georgia might be the historical birthplace of wine production. It now produces some intriguing and delicious wines, including some made in a very traditional manner in qvevri, earthenware vessels. I've enjoyed a number of Georgian wines and continue to seek out new ones too. There will be two Georgian exhibitors this year, including Marnaveli and the Saperavi Brothers.

Italian Wines 

There will be several exhibitors at the Expo offering Italian wines. One of those exhibitors I would highly recommend is Fantasy Fine Wines, which primarily distributes Italian wines, from all across Italy, and their portfolio is diverse and interesting. Two of their wines made my Top Twenty Wines of 2023. 

Spanish Wines:

The region of Rias Baixas will be showcasing their white wines made from the Albariño grape. I'm a big fan of this grape, and the region produces a fascinating diversity of wines. As their website states, their wines "all share a number of characteristics. Pale golden lemon, they are all crisp, elegant and fresh. These wines are bone-dry and aromatic, packed with flavors of white peach, apricot, melon, pineapple, mango and honeysuckle. They share good natural acidity, have mineral overtones, and are medium bodied with moderate alcohol." You need to check out these delicious white wines. 

I hope you find my recommendations helpful in making your plans for the Boston Wine Expo. Expand your palate and seek out wines new to you!

Rant: Respect The Single Country Wine List

Consider this situation: You dine at a new Italian restaurant and while you peruse its wine list, you see that they only carry Italian wines. There is no California Chardonnay or Australian Shiraz, no New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or Argentina Malbec. Instead, you see listings for Chianti and Prosecco, Franciacorta and Barolo, as well as wines with grapes unfamiliar to you, like Grillo, Frappato and Arneis. 

Does this situation bother you because you can't find the wines you usually enjoy? Does this situation bother you because you don't know much about many of those Italian wines? Or are you pleased with the wine menu, relishing the adventure of exploring the list, and potentially finding new favorite wines? I hope you answered positively to the third question. 

There are restaurants which choose to limit their wine list to a single country, to fit their cuisine, though locally, they are in the minority. A couple of my favorite restaurants which do this include Krasi (all Greek wine list) and A Tavola (all Italian wine list). However, many restaurants create wine lists which try to cater to diverse preferences, not willing to take the risk of a single country list. They fear offending some of their customers by not having certain types of wines. Their wine list might be predominately from one country, but there will be a percentage from at least several other countries. 

Is that really necessary?

I respect a restaurant willing to create a single country wine list, and I know I'm sure to find plenty of wines that will enjoy. I also savor the adventure of exploring such a list, trying wines that are new to me. Sure, wines from all over the world can pair well with Italian cuisine, but if an Italian restaurant only wants to offer Italian wines to pair with their cuisine, I am fully supportive of their desire. It's a way to expose more consumers to the diversity and wonders of Italian wine, to helping to broaden their palates. 

You wouldn't go to an Italian restaurant and expect to find Australian meat pies or Southern-style fried chicken, so why expect to find wines from places other than Italy? You are going for the experience of Italian cuisine, and wine is actually food. Thus, it makes sense that Italian wine is served as part of the Italian cuisine. This applies to any ethnic restaurant which chooses to limit its wine list to the country of its cuisine. 

For many restaurants though, it's a matter of money. There are some picky and demanding consumers who would object to such a singular wine list. They are too set in their ways, unwilling to be open to new wines, and only want to be able to get their California Chardonnay, or other vinous preference, no matter what restaurant where they dine. If a restaurant has a single country wine list, they won't attract these type of customers, and that could have negative economic consequences for the restaurant. 

It's also this type of picky consumer who demands that every Italian restaurant must serve Chicken Parmigiana, even if that Italian restaurant desires to only serve a specific regional cuisine which wouldn't serve such a dish, or simply doesn't want to serve that dish. Those picky consumers won't patronize an Italian restaurant which doesn't serve their favorite dish. 

We need to give our support to those restaurant brave enough to have a single country wine list, to dine at such restaurants and enjoy their wine choices. Consumers need to be more open to wines that are outside their usual preference. They shouldn't demand that every restaurant conform to their own wine preferences. Be open to the joys of other wines. The sommelier, wine director, or servers at these restaurants can help you select wines that are similar to your preferences, and will appeal to you.  

What are your thoughts on restaurants with single country wine lists? Do you have any favorite restaurants with such a list?

Rant: Approach Wine Like A Child

Have you lost your sense of vinous wonder?

After years of wine drinking, some people's palates become jaded and little excites them anymore. They also don't seek out different wines, electing to drink the same old wines all the time. Still other people become arrogant and pretentious, often primarily chasing after trophy wines, engaging in one-upmanship with their friends. They seek out high-end Bordeaux and Burgundy, California Cabernet and Italian Barolo, and similar such wines. Dining out with such people becomes a competition, with each person seeking to select what they perceive to be one of the best trophy wines on the list. 

All of these people see nothing wrong with their behavior, failing to realize they have lost their sense of vinous wonder.

There are people, with the same amount of wine drinking experience, who haven't become jaded or pretentious, who still marvel at wines that aren't trophies, wines which may be inexpensive and more unusual. They get excited about rare grapes, unique wine-making styles, and less common wine regions. These individuals appreciate and understand the allure of trophy wines, the expensive classics, but they don't make them their raison d'être. They find pleasure and wonder in a much wider range of wines, of all price points, of all types, from all regions.

It's usually easy to differentiate those who are jaded or pretentious from those who still possess that sense of wonder. Those who still possesses that wonder will present a new wine, priced under $25, that excites them and you'll see a fire in their eyes and their words will be indicative of their delight. They will be eager to share that wine, to spread their thrill with their friends. 

On the other hand, the jaded person might share a similar wine, finding it of interest, but it's obvious they lack a true passion for the wine. It's offered more as intellectual experience, and it might even be compared to higher-end wines, noting its failings compared to those classics. They will likely concentrate more on what they see as flaws in the inexpensive wine, and might even show disdain for it.

We should approach wine as a child approaches life, with an eager curiosity. Like children, we should  embrace wonder and be open to new experiences. We should want to explore the diversity of wine, and not simply surround ourselves with "classic," and other expensive wines. For example, at the upcoming Boston Wine Expo, there will be ample opportunity to explore less common wines, and not just the same old wines you drink all the time. If you attend the Expo, or any other large-scale wine tasting event, you should approach it with a child's curiosity. 

I want to spend time and share wine with those who still possess their sense of vinous wonder. We can marvel together at the unique, inexpensive wines we find. We can still drink and enjoy high-end, classic wines too but we won't turn up our noses at other wines. We will cherish the diversity of wine, being adventurous and exploring all that exists.

Try to examine your own approach to wine with a critical eye, to determine whether you still possess that wonder or not. If you do, then I strongly advise you to be wary of becoming jaded or pretentious.  If you do not, then I highly recommend you make changes to your vinous life. It's never too late to change. If you refuse to change, then you'll lose out on so much.

Boston Wine Expo: Advice on Attending

The Boston Wine Expo is returning this year, once again to the Park Plaza Hotel, on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3. The 2-day event will feature over 100 participating wineries from all over the U.S. and select international ones as well. The new Expo is organized by Raffaele Scalzi, the Boston Wine Expo Show Director and Founder of Scalzi Hospitality Corporation. I attended last year's Expo, and want to offer some advice for attendees this year.

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!

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!