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2015 Boston Wine Expo


Group Toasting glasses raised

Some Boston Oenophile members offering an annual Expo toast.

It is Expo time—the 24th annual Boston Wine Expo, that is—one of the longest running and most successful wine expos in the country. And on February 14 and 15 (Valentine’s and President’s weekend) at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center you can experience wine and food, the likes of which are not easily found.

The Boston Wine Expo is an experience. The trade center is vast, filled with rows of exhibitors, passionate tasters, some poseurs, bewildered onlookers, all sharing in the enthusiasm of a seeming confusion that is, nonetheless, neatly and carefully organized. It’s an extremely happy place, even happier if you attend the Grand Tasting at the Vintner’s Lounge, where you find respite from the clamor and can relax eating appetizers prepared by leading chefs and sampling serious and splendid wines.


Chef Ming Tsai flipping food high in wok

Chef Ming Tsai


This wine expo attracts some of the best wine and food acts in the country. Some Wine seminars: winemaker Michael Silacci of Opus One heads the list. Other notable seminars/tastings: Barolo, Chianti Classico, Spanish wines, sweet wines, Cognac, and malt whiskies. Chef demos always attract crowds: Ming Tsai (Ming’s), Daniel Bruce (Meritage), Barbara Lynch (Nine Park), Sara Moulton (PBS cooking celebrity), Mark Gaier (Arrows), Chris Coombs (Deuxave), and Aaron Chambers (Bar Boulud).

The Boston Guild of Oenophiles, a dedicated group of wine and food professionals, wine distributors, and wine writers continue to keep this Boston attraction active, dedicating a major portion of its profits to charity. One of the principal recipients is the Tufts Medical Center Camp for Children with Disabilities, giving inner city kids the opportunity to attend summer camp. Yet another is assistance to the New England Center for Homeless Vets. The Expo has never lost sight of its dedication to the city’s needy donating more $1.5 million over the years.


Remembering Brian A. Brooks

Brian A. Brooks was the treasurer and a founding member of the Guild of Oenophilists. Brian cultivated an appreciation for fine wine and nurtured this passion during his worldwide travels. He was a frequent guests in many of Boston’s finest restaurants. He was very generous of spirit and was committed to ensuring the dignity of veterans through his support of the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. Brian lost his battle to cancer at age 72 on May 10, 2014. His wife Betty accepted an award for his distinguished Service for Veterans from the NECHV, which will be forever known as the Brian Brooks Award for Distinguished Service for veterans.


Remembering Brian Brooks



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