Class is almost in session at the 26th annual Boston Wine Expo, and this year’s curriculum is the most diverse and best yet. Hosted over President’s Day weekend (February 18 & 19) at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, the Boston Wine Expo’s educational seminars program features top winemakers and industry experts from around the world who lead interactive discussions on over 35 topics for novices looking to enlighten their minds and experts seeking to refine their palates.
In addition to covering food and wine pairings, the history of select varietals and vertical tasting flights of the world’s most sought-after grapes, the 2017 Educational Keynote Seminar Speaker is Tim Hanni, one of the first two Americans to earn the Master of Wine (MW) distinction, who will give an incisive and fascinating discussion about “Why You Like The Wines You Like” and another dedicated to “Sweet Wine Lovers Only.” Other standout seminars include “American Rhône: The Range of the Rhône Rangers” – led by the author (American Rhone: How Maverick Winemakers Changed the Way Americans Drink) and wine critic Patrick Comiskey with special guest speakers Bob Lindquist (Founder, Qupé Winery) and Randall Grahm (Founder & President, Bonny Doon Vineyard) – who will give a detailed account of the history behind American winemakers who promoted the use of grape varieties from the Rhône Valley; the “Château Picque-Caillou Vertical: Bordeaux’s David vs Goliath” talk hosted by longtime Boston Wine Expo speaker, importer Jean-Christophe Calvet (Aquitaine Wine Company), and his winemaker cousin, Paulin Calvet (Picque Caillou), who will enlighten guests on everything Bordeaux complete with sips of some of the best dry French red and whites from past and present including a cask sample of the excellent 2015 vintage red and a magnum of the superb 2000; and, “Merrior & Terroir Pairings with Island Creek Oysters and Cape Classics” that showcases wine and oyster pairings from two beloved Massachusetts brands.
Those with a thirst for knowledge can visit the website for a full list of seminars, including expanded descriptions on what each discussion entails (seminars range from $30-$203 per person):
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18: • 11:00am: Winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr. of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate, Napa, hosts a Vertical of Animo and M by Michael Mondavi ($58) • 11:00am: Fun with Food and Wine Matching: What Works and Why with Len Presutti, Corporate Wine Educator Martignetti Companies and Denise Barron Herrera of Burtons Grill ($53) • 11:00am: Why You Like the Wines You Like with Tim Hanni, MW ($35) • 11:30am: The Superstars of German Riesling, Presented by Ken Mason German Riesling Advocate ($53) • 11:30am: Wine Spectator Presents: Wine 101, Taste Like a Pro ($43) • 11:30am: Napa Valley Rocks ($53) • 12:00pm: American Rhône: The Range of the Rhône Rangers with Bob Lindquist of Qupé and Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon ($35) • 12:00pm: Prosecco Beyond the Bubbles: Discovering a Wine You Thought You Already Knew with Alan Tardi, U.S. Ambassador of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG ($38) • 12:30pm: King Estate Wines from the Willamette Valley: Built to Last ($48) • 12:30pm: Chenin Blanc: South Africa's Signature Variety ($43) • 1:00pm: Guigal's Superb Chateau d'Ampuis Côte-Rôtie, a Vertical with Fred Ek, Long-time U.S. Importer ($203) • 2:00pm: The Secret Life of Pinot Noir ($53) • 2:00pm: Chianti Classico- The Search for Tuscany's Noble Wine ($53) • 2:30pm: Decadent and Delicious: Sweet Wines of the World with Professor Ed Korry, Department Chairman at Johnson & Wales University and former President of the Society of Wine Educators ($35) • 3:00pm: Château Picque-Caillou Vertical: Bordeaux’s David vs Goliath – A Family Estate in the Midst of Classified Giants with Winemaker/Owner Paulin Calvet and Importer Jean-Christophe Calvet ($35) • 3:00pm: Amarone and Beyond: Tenuta Santa Maria alla Pieve, the Veronese estate of the Bertani family ($43) • 3:30pm: Sweet Wine Lovers Only! with Tim Hanni, MW ($30) • 3:30pm: The Ports of the Fladgate Partnership: Croft, Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca. The Fladgate Partnership ($43) • 3:30pm: Class by the Glass: The Taste of New York Gold Medals ($43) • 4:00pm: Made in America: An Exploration and Tasting of Artisan Domestic Whiskies ($43) • 4:00pm: Liguria – Italy's Riviera & Gourmet Oasis ($38)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19: • 11:00am: Domaine Baumard Savennières and Quarts de Chaume, Two Verticals in One: Fabulous Dry and Sweet Wines from an Outstanding Loire Valley Vintner ($103) • 11:00am: Say Cheese (and Wine) – Finding the Perfect Partner for Your Favorite Fromage with Whole Foods’ Meredith Fitzgerald (Certified Cheese Professional through the American Cheese Society) and Len Presutti, Corporate Wine Educator Martignetti Companies ($48) • 11:00am: Taste some of Italy's Best Olive Oils with Expert Shipper, Johnny Madge ($30) • 11:00am: Why You Like the Wines You Like with Tim Hanni, MW ($35) • 11:30am: Understanding German Riesling – Once (and Still) the Source of Great White Wines ($43) • 12:00pm: Back to the Future with Georgian Wine: Wines that are 8000 years old? ($38) • 12:30pm: Explore Champagne's Secret (Reserve Wines) with Johnathan Boulangeat, Champagne Charles Heidsieck's US Brand Ambassador ($58) • 1:00pm: Introduction to Home Mixology with Joe Landolfi, Corporate Mixologist Market St. Spirits ($35) • 2:00pm: Give this (Person) a Cigare!: The Pursuit of Elegance in Warm, Dry Mediterranea with Randall Grahm, President & Founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard ($43) • 2:00pm: The Art of Japanese Whisky: House of Suntory Whisky, a tasting with Gardner Dunn, Suntory Brand Ambassador ($75) • 2:30pm: The World of Sicilian Wine ($48) • 2:30pm: Italian Salumi & Specialties Culture 101 ($38) • 3:00pm: Merroir & Terroir Pairing with Island Creek Oysters and Cape Classics ($53) • 3:30pm: The wines of the Douro Valley: From Dream to Reality: an Adventure in the Oldest Demarcated Region of the World ($58) • 4:00pm: Gin: From Bathtub to Bottle to Your Glass, with Samples of Rare Gins Retailing up to $600 ($30) • 4:00pm: Wine Spectator Presents: Hot List: Emerging Regions and Grapes, led by corporate educator Gloria Maroti Frazee ($43)
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 local, national and international nonprofit causes.
Produced and managed by Conventures, Inc., in collaboration with the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, the Boston Wine Expo will take place at The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center on February 18 and 19, 2017, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This event is reserved for ages 21+. Tickets to the event and seminars now are on sale and available by visiting: www.bit.ly/BWE2017. Weekend tickets and discount group tickets also are available, as well as dedicated trade industry hours.
The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center is located at 200 Seaport Boulevard in Boston, MA. For directions and more information, please visit: www.seaportboston.com.
Event Location: Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210 USA
