Ah yes… it’s here again! The 18th Annual Boston Wine Expo festivities kick off tonight, with doors opening to the larger public at 1pm tomorrow, January 24th, and again on Sunday at the same Bat Time. Ticket holders each day get access to four hours of wine tasting (doors close at 5pm both days).

The first year I attended the Expo I was an unassuming, happy, “amateur” wine consumer. I was there as many are: to taste a range of wines from around the world. While I certainly saw (and tasted) numerous wines from around the world, I was largely unprepared for the chaos, debauchery and crowds.  Some people are into mosh-pit wine tasting experiences. For me, it leaves a little something to be desired – including the red wine stains that abound (often on the back of your shirt as the ‘guest’ behind you couldn’t quite manage to hold on to their pour.) While I don’t believe in the Over Sophistication of Wine (i.e. as you should well know by now, I’m not a proponent of the Snootification of Wine), I do believe the stuff deserves a little respect. Or if IT doesn’t, at least your fellow tasters do.

In the years since, I’ve worked out a strategy not only to survive the madness but also to taste the wines I’m really there to see. Ah-ha! That’s exactly the point. At its best the BWE should be treated as an opportunity to taste really special, or simply unique wines you may not normally have the chance to explore. It is also an opportunity to answer some of your own curiosity. Perhaps you’ve not really tried any of those Portuguese varietals people are buzzing about. Will they really satisfy your palate at just $8 a bottle? Well, the BWE gives you a chance to find out. Here’s what I suggest:

1) Prepare. Take a look at the list of exhibitors attending the event. Identify the wineries you want to “visit”.

2) Maximize your time. Take a look at the booth number of those exhibitors you’ve identified and note which are in close proximity to each other. This way you’re not running around the large convention center floor like a chicken with your head cut off.

3) Maximize your palate. Visit the booths on your Hit List first. This way your palate is still fresh (and your patience with the crowds in tact as you try to get where you’re going).

4) Eat a large breakfast before you even head over to the Convention Center. You should definitely be spitting/dumping whenever possible to maintain your stamina, but ultimately the crowds will make this challenging. And, the last couple of years, I’ve found the snack stations were hard to come by. Best not to take your chances.

5) Bring and drink water. Hydration is the key to any event where a lot of people abound. It gets hot in there! And you’ll feel it. Water also keeps your palate fresh, so your impressions of the wine are more accurate.

6) Don’t treat the event as a Booze Fest. It’s important to remember the exhibitors have traveled far and wide to show you their wares. Respect them, their offerings (even if they aren’t your bag) and those around you. There’s nothing worse than a loud, debaucherous, disrespectful crowd. It can’t hurt to set a different tone – and encourage them to come back next year!

If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, visit the link at the top of the list to do so TODAY. Remember, you’re not only getting a taste of the World, you’re also donating to charity!

Are you heading to the Expo this year? What advice do you have for the neophytes attending?

This entry was posted on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 am and is filed under Events, Friday News & Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.