When: Sunday February 16, 2014
Where: Seaport World Trade Center
I have always wanted to check out the Boston Wino Expo so when a coworker invited me I signed up. We decided on attending the expo on Sunday but it is a two day event so you can choose which day works best.
We grabbed lunch at Whiskey Priest before getting in line. The expo opened at 1 PM, we got into to line around 12:30. The main reason to arrive on time is to avoid a long line to get in and to get your coat checked right away. The expo itself has plenty of room for the attendees to sample the wines.
Whiskey Park was not crowded. 
We didn’t have to wait in line very long.
Here is a link to the website: http://www.wine-expos.com/
We had tickets to the grand tasting and didn’t sign up for any classes. Next year we would like to try the VIP experience. Here is information from the website about a VIP ticket:
Who doesn’t want to feel like a VIP when sampling more than 185 wines from around the world paired with amazing food from some of Boston’s most popular restaurants. Well now you can when you purchase a VIP Experience ticket for the main floor Grand Tasting.
You’ll receive a variety of enticing benefits such as:
- An exclusive VIP entrance – no need to wait in line. We’ll whisk you right into the show.
- VIP coat check. No need to rub shoulders with the crowds. You’ll receive complimentary coat check and a dedicated coat check area.
- A champagne toast and your own “SWAG” bag as you enter filled with goodies to enhance your Boston Wine Expo experience including a special upgraded tasting glass.
- VIP Experience Lounge on the Grand Tasting floor. Rest and recharge during the show in your own special lounge area featuring coffee, snacks, wine sampling, comfy sofas and more.
Purchase your VIP Experience for $135 through November 30th. Beginning December 1st, tickets will be $145.
A ticket to the grand tasting costs $85 but there might be a special if you sign up early. Tickets for 2015 go on sale November 1, 2014. The dates for the expo are Saturday February 14th and Sunday February 15th, 2015. You can also purchase tickets to seminars for an extra $25-45/class.
Here is what you get with a grand tasting ticket:
-
As you walk into the Grand Tasting, you receive the famed Boston Wine Expo souvenir glass that is yours to keep.
-
You will also receive a 4-color glossy magazine outlining all the exhibitors that are present and where to locate them, celebrity chef demos and guided tastings/seminars along with other show facts. There’s room in the magazine to take notes on the wines that you taste at the Expo.
-
Access to wine samples from over 300 producers
-
Complimentary food samples from scores of providers
-
A chance to view live cooking demonstrations on two big stages (free, 1st come, 1st seated)
This is a pricy event but I think it is worth the money. I was able to taste several wines and learn about the vineyards represented at the expo. I would also recommend downloading the Drync app. You can take pictures of the labels you like and even purchase the wines through the app. http://www.drync.com/
Upon entering you receive your sampling glass.
We headed right to the coat check area to drop off our coats. The wineries are organized by country. We started in the Mediterranean area, then moved to Europe and then America.
My favorite wines come from the Sonoma area but I discovered some nice wines from other areas as well.
We sampled some nice cheeses and snacks. I also brought some snacks with me. I brought cheddar goldfish and animal crackers.
The bathrooms were easy to get to and didn’t seem to have a line until the end of the expo.
My favorite wine discovery was the Food Network’s brand Entwine. I really liked their chardonnay, I ordered two bottles through the Drync app.
This was a fun day, I would recommend this event if you live in the Boston area. I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes because you stand during most of the event. Here is a picture of the group I attended this event with, I met some new fun friends.
We decided it is best to go in a group with even numbers so that groups of two can venture off on their own if necessary.
My coworker Dani and I. Check out her blog: http://www.weightoffmyshoulders.com/
Lifestyle of a Fashionista 