Over 265 Top-Rated Wineries Draw Crowds to New York Wine Experience Despite U.S. Sales Slump

Hundreds of wine enthusiasts gathered at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square on October 16 for the opening night of the 44th New York Wine Experience. Despite a recent decline in U.S. wine sales, the event showed that interest in wine remains strong. The Critic’s Choice Grand Tasting brought together more than 265 wineries from around the world, each pouring bottles rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator editors. Over 90 of these wines had received scores of 95 points or above.

The event filled two floors of the hotel, with guests lining up early to enter the ballroom. Once inside, attendees found a wide range of wines to sample, from Champagne and Franciacorta to top-rated Chardonnays and rare reds. Notable pours included Taittinger Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Comtes de Champagne 2013, Philipponnat Extra Brut Champagne Clos des Goisses 2014, and California’s Aubert Chardonnay Sonoma Coast CIX 2023. Italian producers offered wines such as Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto 2019 and Tenuta San Guido’s 2020 Sassicaia.

Winemakers and winery owners were present at each table, giving guests the chance to speak directly with the people behind the wines. Angelo Gaja and his children represented their family’s Barbaresco estate, while NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony poured his own Châteauneuf-du-Pape White alongside co-founder Asani Swann. Other notable figures included Mark Aubert, Greg Brewer, and Enrique Tirado, who poured the Viña Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto 2021, recently named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year.

Attendees approached the tasting in different ways. Some arrived with detailed maps and plans to visit specific regions or producers, while others wandered from table to table, seeking new discoveries. The event also served as a reunion for winemakers, who used the opportunity to taste each other’s wines and discuss recent vintages. Meghan Zobeck, newly appointed director of winemaking for Opus One, described the experience as a rare chance to connect with colleagues from across the industry.

The Grand Tasting highlighted the diversity of the wine world, with offerings from California, Italy, France, Spain, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. Producers poured everything from classic Bordeaux blends to unique whites like Marchesi di Frescobaldi Costa Toscana White Gorgona 2024 and Bodegas Avancia Godello Valdeorras Nobleza Old Vines 2023. Large-format bottles and rare vintages were also on display, including Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ 2013 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon and Marqués de Murrieta’s 2011 Rioja Castilla Ygay Gran Reserva Especial.

Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was lively but focused, with guests eager to learn about the wines and the stories behind them. Chef José Andrés was seen tasting and pouring wine with Carmelo Anthony, underscoring the sense of community that the event fostered. For many attendees and winemakers, the New York Wine Experience was not just about tasting exceptional wines but about building connections and celebrating a shared passion.

The event continues through the weekend with seminars, additional tastings, and opportunities for both industry professionals and consumers to engage with some of the world’s leading wine producers. The strong turnout and enthusiasm at the Grand Tasting suggest that while wine sales may fluctuate, the culture and community around wine remain vibrant in New York and beyond.