I should probably rename this blog to “Better Late Than Never” given the amount of time that lapses between updates around here. I should take up blogging full time. (That would pretty great.) But then I remember I have these things called school loans and I quickly dive back into the corporate chocolate world, which, believe me, is not a bad world to live in.
But I digress. It’s time to talk about one of my favorite times of year that is rapidly approaching! Being a life long New Englander, I don’t really love the actual month of February because it tends to be freezing cold and snowy where I live. BUT my fiance’s birthday, Valentine’s Day and the Boston Wine Expo all take place in February so makes up for the fact that I’m pretty much an icicle the whole month. Sean turns the big 30 this year and I have a few things up my sleeve for that milestone. And while Valentine’s Day isn’t a huge holiday for the two of us, it is the same weekend as the Boston Wine Expo, so we turn it into a weekend in Boston and it’s a win-win all around.
The Boston Wine Expo is entering it’s 25th year and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of it. Winemakers from all over the world will set up in the Seaport Convention Center for two days, and even that doesn’t seem like long enough. The Expo also has a wonderful series of semimars that attendees can purchase ahead of time to learn even more about particular wine topics that may interest them. (Like the chocolate and wine pairing one? Um. HELLO.) I’ve also gotten to take part in 2 Twitter tastings with Hope Family Wines and it’s only amped up the excitement even more.
This will be my third year attending thanks to the wonderful BWE people. No longer a rookie to the Expo, I knew what to expect last year and already know what I’m looking forward to this year. Last year, Sean and I were given access onto the show floor two hours before it opened to the general public and we used that time hitting some of the larger distributors and vendors we knew would be swamped later in the day. We also started snacking early, after remembering from the previous year, our rookie year in 2014, how easy it is to lose track of how many wine samples you’ve had and forgetting to eat completely. That is probably the #1 downfall of participants at an expo of this scale – going too fast out of the gate and not remembering that food is key. And don’t worry, there are plenty of vendors on the perimeter of the floor passing out much-needed snacks.
Tickets for the 2016 Boston Wine Expo are on sale now and I highly HIGHLY recommend getting a VIP pass for BOTH days of the event. One day is simply not enough. Last year, our weekend was cut short because of a snowstorm so I am crossing my fingers that doesn’t happen again. I promise you will get your money’s worth in wine tastings alone, never mind the food and snack vendors on-site, and the invaluable information you will learn about wine and culture along with the rare varietals you’ll experience.
Would you like to attend the Boston Wine Expo on Sunday, February 14th this year?
I’m giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s event!
TO ENTER (Mandatory Entry): Leave a comment telling me what your favorite wine of all time is. (Yes, I realize that is an extremely difficult question so dig deep!) It can be red, white, sparkling, whatever you’re go-to is or a wine that you had once and are dying to have again.
Extra Extries:
- Follow @ChocoAndWine on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you did.
- Follow @BostonWineExpo on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you did.
- Follow @MarieTorto on Instagram and leave me a comment telling me you did.
- Follow @MarieAnneTorto on Pinterest and leave a comment telling me you did.
Good Luck! I will choose a winner a random on Monday, January 25th.
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