“Ladies and gentlemen: Welcome to Paris.” That was sommelier Tom Gannon’s greeting to those of us seated at round tables in a ballroom at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Waving the tricoloré while his colleague, sommelier Brooke Sabel, carried the stars and stripes, the duo — joined by festival director Nick Daddona — presided over a dinner that loosely recreated the 1976 Judgment of Paris blind tasting, the event that put American wines on the map by outperforming Burgundy and Bordeaux counterparts.
The dinner was part of the annual 2024 Boston Wine & Food Festival — now in its 35th year and one of the city’s most popular culinary events, often selling out quickly. Rather than condensing many events into a single crowded weekend like some larger festivals, this one stretches dinners and tastings across three months, from January through March. It’s designed more like a marathon than a sprint, giving attendees time to explore multiple experiences without overloading a single weekend.
Daddona, who has been involved with the festival in various roles since 2013, helped expand the program beyond traditional winemaker dinners in recent years. The festival now offers a wider mix of events, including a Champagne and saké masterclass, a New Orleans jazz brunch, an Uncle Nearest whiskey tasting, and even a playful dinner pairing Bordeaux regions with actors who portrayed James Bond. This variety of formats and price points makes the festival accessible to a broader range of wine and food enthusiasts.
© Binita Patel
In a conversation at the hotel’s dimly lit Rowes Wharf Bar, Daddona explained that offering events at different price tiers opens the festival to more curious attendees. While some guests might splurge on an upscale pairing dinner — one recent event featuring pours from the esteemed Domaine de la Romanée-Conti carried a $2,950 price tag — others feel comfortable joining a $70 tasting to learn about Italian spirits and spritzes. That range encourages newcomers and seasoned fans alike to participate.
All festival events take place at the Boston Harbor Hotel, a striking waterfront property that opened in 1987. The hotel features a dramatic 60-foot stone arch, elegant marble details, classic décor and crown moldings, and a collection of framed vintage maps in the lobby. Festival attendees can take advantage of a discounted room rate of $295, a practical option after an evening like the dinner I attended, which paired eight wine expressions with four courses crafted by Executive Chef David Daniels and began with a welcome flute of bubbly.
During the dinner, guests voted for their favorite pairings by raising small flags placed in each table’s centerpiece. Daddona, who managed restaurant wine programs for years before working directly with wineries, said that hosting producers and industry experts from around the world brings tangible “nuggets” of sun-drenched wine country to a Boston winter. The festival’s extended schedule and diverse slate of events make it an inviting way for locals and visitors to explore wine, spirits and food across several months.