Experience Culinary Excellence: The 2024 Grand Tastings – Two Unforgettable Nights!

The 43rd Wine Experience hosted by Wine Spectator is set to begin with an extraordinary evening showcasing over 260 of the finest wines from around the globe.

Giovanni Manetti initially doubted his ability to attend the 2024 New York Wine Experience. This year’s lengthy growing season in Tuscany meant that grapes for Manetti’s acclaimed Fontodi winery still lingered on the vine as late as mid-October. In response, he sent his son with several cases of their super Tuscan Flaccianello 2008 to showcase at the Grand Tastings in New York City.

However, he received a fortunate break. Just one day prior to the event, Manetti successfully completed the harvest of the last grapes and transferred them into tanks. He then boarded a flight from Rome to New York on the morning of the Grand Tasting. “My first Wine Experience was in 1996,” Manetti expressed with relief. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

For nearly 2,000 attendees, the opening night of the 43rd Wine Experience was an unmissable occasion. October 17 marked the beginning of two Grand Tastings, initiating three days filled with wine, culinary delights, seminars, and enjoyable experiences at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. This year’s gathering was an opportunity to celebrate through challenging times, reconnect with old friends, and forge new connections, all while raising a glass (or several) to the unifying power of wine.

“This is a rare occasion where you can experience some of the most remarkable wines worldwide,” remarked Dan Abrams, the proprietor of Ev&Em Vineyards located on Long Island and chief legal correspondent for ABC News. “I don’t believe there’s another wine event comparable to this one.”

Throughout two levels of the hotel, attendees had the chance to taste offerings from over 260 wineries, each showcasing a wine that received a rating of 90 points or above from a Wine Spectator editor. Winery owners and winemakers were present so that guests could connect with the creators of these exceptional wines.

“What I appreciate about the New York Wine Experience is the incredible variety of wines available, along with the true enthusiasts of wine present here,” stated Josh Scott, co-owner of New Zealand’s Allan Scott winery. “Even though New Zealand’s wine scene is relatively young, people are eager to come and taste our wines and meet the producers. It is truly a refined crowd.”

Tasting 260 wines in a single evening is an ambitious task, so guests often needed to devise a plan. They could approach the list alphabetically, sampling wines from the Douro region’s red from Adriano Ramos-Pinto to the esteemed Malbec from Zuccardi Valle de Uco in Argentina. Alternatively, they could curate their own tasting journey, starting with a sparkling wine like Ca’ del Bosco Dosage Zéro Franciacorta Annamaria Clementi Riserva 2014 or a Champagne such as Bollinger La Grande Année 2015, proceeding to whites like Aubert Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Powder House 2021, transitioning to a red such as Bodegas Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico 2014 or Castellare di Castellina Toscana I Sodi San Niccolò 2019, and concluding with a sweet dessert wine like Château Suduiraut Sauternes 2013.

Alternatively, they could select from the top performers: The evening’s highest-rated wines included Argiano Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo 2019 (98 points), Château Cheval Blanc St.-Emilion 2015 (98), Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2018 (99) and Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2010 (99).

“I regard wine as one of those products that allows for exploration and adventure, enabling one to learn about different cultures, cuisines, and wines—a wonderful way to engage with a country,” remarked Adrian Bridge, the CEO of Fladgate Partnership in Portugal.

The Wine Experience owes its success to the exceptional generosity of the vintners who contribute their inspiring wines for the weekend. All net proceeds from the event support the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, which has raised over $40 million in scholarships and grants for the hospitality and wine sectors.

Beneficiaries of the Foundation have included students from Napa Valley College, the University of California at Davis School of Viticulture & Enology, The Roots Foundation, Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute, Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, and the Culinary Institute of America, among others.

As the evening came to a close, a variety of aged wines had been savored, and new connections were made among attendees. Fortunately, a second night of Grand Tasting was planned for the following day. “What I appreciate is how wine brings people together and the wonderful personalities I encounter at this event, allowing them to enjoy my family’s wines,” shared Shannon Staglin, co-owner of Staglin Family Vineyard. “I truly believe that wine unites us and fosters connection, which is something we all need now more than ever.”

—With contributions from Collin Dreizen and Julia Larson

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!