Regular readers know that I regularly post about large public wine events here on Vinography, which I believe are some of the best ways to educate one’s palate and learn about great new wines. Unfortunately for many of my East Coast readers, most of the major wine events of this sort tend to take place on the West Coast. Strangely, while it is rife with store-based tastings, winemaker dinners, and private tastings, New York generally does not play host to large public tastings in quite the same way.

Until now.

Wine lovers that live in or near New York should definitely consider going to the first annual New York Wine Expo, which will take place the second weekend in March. This event includes all the regular components of an event of this kind: a large walk-around wine tasting, special wine education seminars, tidbits of food from various purveyors (though frankly this looks like the weakest part of the event), and an opportunity to spend time with winemakers in an informal session.

The primary reason to attend, however, is the wine. More than 170 different wine producers from all over the world are presenting their wines, including many from California, which tend to be more difficult to find in New York (at least relative to European wines).

1st Annual New York Wine Expo
Friday March 7th, 7:00 ” 10:00 PM
Saturday, March 8, 2:00 ” 6:00 PM
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001

Tickets are $75 on Friday, $85 on Saturday, and can be purchased in advance online. Ticket prices go up $10 after February 29th.

My usual tips for attending large public tastings apply:

1. Get a good night’s rest beforehand.
2. Wear dark clothing and no perfume/cologne
3. Start with food in your stomach
4. Drink lots of water
5. SPIT !!