| Boston Wine Expo 2007, World Trade Center, Boston Seaport Hotel | | | | By: Marc Hinton | << back  Page 2 of 3 next >> |
Facets of these events that always intrigue are the non-wine associated exhibitors and this event was no different. The hand rolled cigar exhibitor drew their share of attendees, and for good reason. A quality hand rolled cigar made as you wait for just $10 would have had me digging into my wallet. Albeit a little out of place in the midst of all the wine exhibitors but appreciated none the less by all who enjoy a good cigar.
Another exhibitor that did a great job of representing was Mikasa who came to challenge the myth that Reidel is the only glass worthy of drinking wine from. Mikasa now has a line of stemware called "Open Up", which is a versatile and elegant line of stemware with a patented impact resistant material. The OPEN UP collection comes in six styles, all featuring the unusual distinctive shape. Made of KWARX, their exclusive, patented new material, each glass is break resistant, as clear as crystal, lead-free, and stands up to 2,000 dishwasher cycles.
As the event progressed and our tasting judge focused on developing his story about polar opposite growing regions of Sauvignon Blanc and their distinct similarities.
As his crusade continued, J Mac commented on the most notable Cabernet being that of Pine Ridge from the Stags Leap district. Some Tuscan red wines J Mac tasted earlier were quite incongruent despite a price tag of $50 for one and $200 for the other. They tasted of similar quality and displayed similar characteristics.
The best Chardonnay of the Expo for our tasting judge were the French Chablis’, which were full, ripe and flinty. The Sauvignon Blanc that stood out was the Bancroft from New Zealand and the Sancerre’s from France.
Least favorite and most disappointing were the Louis Latour line of wines, J Mac and others lamented the decline of quality from this once venerable French producer.
The wines of Antinori were solid and predictable, with the value-priced Santa Cristina showing best of all as a simple, yet tasty, red table wine.
Highlights of the Expo included our tasting Judge actually meeting a couple of folks whose persona exuded the spirit of hospitality, and that would be Olivier Hillaire of Domaine Des Relanges whose high quality Cote du Rhones and Chateneuf du Papes are only slightly overshadowed buy the vintners personality. The other being Pascal Lafonde of Domaine Lafond also from the Rhone region whose warm welcome and endearing patience along with his seriously tasting wines out-classed all others.
On the subject of Cotes du Rhone, I surmise the rise of quality from the wines of the east banks of the Rhone River have cut into the distribution of Cote du Rhone wines as evident from the peculiar model enhanced endeavor presented by that regions Ministry of Commerce. Our attendee reported one of the most amusing spectacles at the Expo was the models in White and Red dresses with Red Sashes that said “Cote Du Rhone” on them, the marketing style coming off very much like models at an Auto Show.
Car show models at a wine event now that’s different, but I suspect the booth for Young Professionals would have been the most un-expected booth. I can grasp their marketing technique and the fact their demographic research shows a large percentage of Young Professionals gather at wine events. However I suspect most Young Professionals had other interests in mind (primarily drinking wine).
Best culinary diversion award goes to “Near East” our east coast tasting Judge loved the rice pilaf. When quizzed about what producer had made the most improvement, J Mac stated “anyone making Carmenere from South America”.
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