Boston Wine Expo is one of the country’s biggest and most respected celebrations of wine, food and culture and this year’s lineup includes wines from around the world, culinary tastings, reserve lounges and VIP experiences, interactive seminars, celebrity chef demonstrations, and more. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
The Grand Tasting gives guests a global adventure in a glass. Whether your palate prefers a full-bodied Pinot Noir, a buttery Chardonnay, an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon or a dry Pinot Grigio, the 2015 Boston Wine Expo will bring the biggest, boldest and best flavors from the vine to Boston. Featuring over 200 producers and nearly 2,000 wines from around the world, oenophiles will travel through the expansive space – sans passport – swirling and sipping their way to “connoisseur” status. Along the way, there will be culinary attractions including bites from popular area restaurants like Cask ‘n Flagon, Earls Kitchen + Bar, Haru, The Living Room, Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, The Stonehedge Inn & Spa, Temazcal and Tony C’s as well as dueling Celebrity Chef Stages.
There is also the Social Media Lounge, located in the center of the Grand Tasting floor, which gives guests a birds-eye view of which wines attendees “like” best via mobile app streaming.
Early Bird Tickets (through November 30): Saturday: $89 per person; Sunday: $79 per person
Advance Tickets (December 1 – February 13): Saturday: $99 per person; Sunday: $89 per person
*Tickets include a souvenir Boston Wine Expo glass, access to wine samples from over 200 producers, complimentary culinary samples, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars, and space to write tasting notes.
The Vintners’ Reserve Lounge is the ideal setting for serious wine enthusiasts looking to sip their way through rare and expensive vintages. Located in the Seaport Hotel’s Plaza Ballroom, the Vintners’ Reserve Lounge gives guests a chance to spoil their taste-buds with these unique varietals, with many wines retailing for $75 and up per bottle, while enjoying tastings from the city’s finest restaurants including Fairstead Kitchen, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and TAMO Bistro & Bar.
Tickets: $225 per person each day
*Tickets include access to wine samples from over 25 top-rated wineries, complimentary culinary samples, access to the Grand Tasting event, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars, and space to write tasting notes.
With crowds of thousands per day, the VIP Experience package allows guests to bypass the line forming along the Boulevard of Flags and whisks you inside to the main event thirty minutes early. After availing yourself of the VIP coat-check, toast with some bubbly wine and get to exploring all the Boston Wine Expo has to offer. Hit up the VIP Experience Lounge on the Grand Tasting floor to refuel and stock up on essentials like coffee, snacks, and (more) wine while lounging on plush sofas. When you’re good and ready, depart with an upscale gift-bag filled with exclusive products.
Early Bird Tickets (through November 30): Saturday: $135 per person; Sunday: $125 per person
Advance Tickets (December 1 – February 13): Saturday: $145 per person; Sunday: $135 per person
*Tickets include VIP line privileges, complimentary coat-check, an upgraded souvenir Boston Wine Expo glass by Riedel and complimentary glass of champagne, gift-bag, access to wine samples from over 200 producers, complimentary culinary samples, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars, and space to write tasting notes.
The Boston Wine Expo’s highly regarded educational programs for both consumers and those in the trade feature top winemakers and industry experts. With nearly 40 topics ranging from food and wine pairings, “One Hour Wine Experts,” and vertical tasting flights of the world’s most sought-after grapes, class is now – deliciously – in session. Seminar highlights at this year’s Boston Wine Expo include “Sipping Smarts: Wine Basics with Leslie Sbrocco,” a cheese and wine pairing seminar led by Brad & Brian Wasik (The Wellesley Cheese Shop), and “The Amazing Story of Barolo” hosted by Ciro Pirone (Director of Italian Wines, Horizon Beverage).
Tickets: Prices vary $30-45 by seminar
And, as always, sipping at this event has a special cause! The major charitable benefactor of the Boston Wine Expo is the Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities. To date, the Boston Guild of Oenophilists has raised over $1.4 million for worthy causes.
The Boston Wine Expo will take place at The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center on February 14 and 15, 2015, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This event is reserved for ages 21+. Tickets now are on sale and available by visiting: www.wine-expos.com/buytickets.
-Carolyn Rasley, Account Executive
