The 14th annual Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival, “the ultimate New York City food and drink extravaganza” was held on October 14-17 after cancelling last year.
It was four days of walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, late-night parties, pier parties, master classes and a Grand Tasting.
The events were held at various venues in the city with the intention of raising money for charitable organizations such as God’s Love We Deliver and the Food Bank for NYC.
One of the events I attended was the Grand Tasting, a city block long mini village of wine. spirits and food booths. The Grand Tasting was a three day event with Saturday and Sunday afternoons open to the public and Friday afternoon as “Trade Day” which was exclusively open to members of the Hospitality Industry.
The event was held at a new venue this year at Hudson River Park Pier 76 on the Hudson River across the road from the Javits Convention Center on the West side of Manhattan,
It was an outdoor venue (it was a beautiful Autumn afternoon) that really resembled a small village with many spirit, wine and food booths scattered around the park.
One part of that village held the GEMS collection hosted by Wine Spectator magazine (the wine industry Bible) which showcased higher-end premium wines to sample.
Some of the GEM collection wines I sampled:
| 2015 Siduri “Rosella’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir | 2018 La Crema “Fog Veil” Pinot Noir |
| 2011 Belle Glos “Taylor Lane” Pinot Noir | 2017 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2017 Charles Krug “Generations” Cabernet Sauvignon | 2019 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2019 Orin Swift “The Prisoner” Cabernet Sauvignon | 2017 Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate Pinot Noir |
| 2018 Justin Vineyars “Isoseles” | 2017 Gaya “Sito Moresco” |
| 2013 Castello Giocondo Brunelle di Montalcino | 2017 Sergio Alighieri Amarone |
| 2006 Chateau de Beaucastel ChateauNeuf du Pape | 2017 Ruffino “Modus” |
| 2019 Phillipe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet | 2018 Mason Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage |
| 2012 Marquis de Riscal Rioja Gran Reserva | 2011 Berona Rioja Gran Reserva |
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