The new year may still be just a few weeks old, but it’s already easy to see that 2013 will be loaded with fantastic events devoted to wine appreciation. The LocalBozo.com team leaves no bottle unturned when it comes to bringing you the very best vino celebrations citywide. And as such, we are thrilled that the “New York Wine Expo” will return to the Jacob K. Javits Center for a 6th stunning year. From March 1st to March 3rd, our city’s boldest event space will house wall to wall tastings, seminars and much more. You may think you have a built up wealth of knowledge when it comes to various wine styles and regions, but there’s always more sweet information to drink in. So why not kick off the weekend on the right foot with the likes of “Wine 101: Taste Like a Pro with Wine Spectator’s Director of Education, Gloria Maroti Frazee.” This seminar is the perfect way to train your palette and wine brain power. Guests of this seminar will have a rare opportunity to ask Ms. Frazee all the pressing questions they have been storing up over the past year. Additional seminars will be held throughout the weekend providing guests a well rounded spectrum of wine culture. But in the end, you’ll want to let your hair down and taste the beverage you hold in such high regard. We feel exactly the same way. On Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, prepare to sample pours from over 150 premium producers. Have a sip and chat with them about what you’re tasting, and how each varietal makes you feel. It’s simply that interactive!

So what are you waiting for, purchase your tickets now! If you need slightly more convincing, no problem- the LocalBozo.com team is pleased to bring you our exclusive interview with Mr. Ed Hurley, Marketing Director for ResourcePlus, the full-service event management company specializing in event planning and management services for The New York Wine Expo. Since guests will be tasting hundreds of distinctly different wines, it may be hard to keep track of everything you have sampled. Therefore this crack team has introduced the free New York Wine Expo mobile app, the perfect tool for logging all the wines you loved so you can purchase them later on. Everyone’s favorite home shopping channel will be on hand as well when “QVC’s Resident Foodie,” David Venable hits the Expo to chat with guests about his historic career in the television kitchen. We know that after you read the interview, purchasing your tickets isn’t far off.

LocalBozo.com: The New York Wine Expo returns to the Jacob Javits Center for its 6th Annual event, boasting more than 500 wines from around the world. New York City is certainly no stranger to wine tasting events of similar caliber, but what is it about this specific Festival that makes it so unique?

Ed Hurley: Many wine tastings offer wines from either a specific region or focus on a specific varietal. We wanted to bring them all together, and offer wines from all the best wine regions from every corner of the world. It is one of the few events where all types of wine can be sampled at one location.

LocalBozo.com: What can first time attendees expect from the 2013 Expo?

EH: First time attendees will be thrilled with the variety and quality of the wines poured. We offer everything from sparkling wines, to dry whites and full-bodied reds to dessert wines. Attendees will also find that the winemakers are eager to discuss the unique characteristics of their wine and are happy to suggest food pairing tips and serving suggestions. With such a large show, it does help to have a plan of attack. Perhaps start with lighter whites, and graduate to heavier reds. Or head for a region that you are unfamiliar with, to ensure you don’t miss it.

LocalBozo.com:  The New York Wine Expo is a constantly evolving animal. For returning guests, what changes are in store in 2013 from last year’s event?

EH: In addition to the Grand Tasting, we have several new seminars this year. David Rossi of Fulcrum Wines will lead a seminar about California Pinot Noir, the fastest growing grape in California and one of the hottest varietals in the wine industry today. Thomas Pastuszak, Wine Director at the NoMad in New York City, is leading a tasting of wines from the Finger Lakes, discussing how it has become the premier growing region for cool climate grape varieties in the United States and how it compares on a global level to other regions. Lou DiPalo will lead a tasting of Italian cheese and wines selected for pairing perfection and offer a bevy of expert suggestions on how best to entertain with Italian wine and cheese.

LocalBozo.com: With so many available pours at the event, how can guests track the wines they enjoy after a session of tasting so many?

EH: Attendees can ensure they remember the names of every wine they liked and lifestyle products they stopped by with the free New York Wine Expo mobile app. Along with notes, the app will help attendees navigate the venue, find exhibitors of interest and provide the latest event news.

LocalBozo.com: What non wine vendors can we expect to see on hand at this year’s Festival?

EH: Wine lovers often share a fondness for traveling, cooking and sport, so we have gathered a variety of companies in these categories that will share ideas for how to combine these interests and enjoy them to the fullest. Among the over 40 lifestyle exhibitors on hand, there will be food specialties to find the perfect pairing of cheese, bread, biscotti, and chocolate among others.

LocalBozo.com: Part of the peril of running an event of this size, lengthy lines can at times be an issue. How is the event’s setup equipped to handle these potential problems that can frustrate attendees.

EH: The New York Wine Expo is set up in mini- pavilions by country. Long rows of tables have been replaced with more intimate pavilions. The wines are evenly placed among the food and lifestyle vendors to create an even flow. We have also interspersed the lifestyle products among the wine makers. All combined, this will create a relaxing experience, and make it easy for all attendees to casually stroll and enjoy each wine and lifestyle exhibitor they choose to visit.

LocalBozo.com: Are there any surprises in store that may be unpublished on the website?

EH:I think the surprises will be on the faces of the attendees. Many will leave wanting to purchase a wine they never thought they would have liked or would have thought to pair with a favorite meal.

LocalBozo.com: What would you say to a potential ticket buyer on the fence about coming out for the Festival?

EH: Wine tasting is a different experience every year. The wine industry is constantly changing, wine characteristics vary from year to year, and as your appreciation for wine evolves, your wine preferences may change along with it. The New York Wine Expo provides a unique opportunity to taste new varietals, and try wines from regions you are less familiar with. Attendees are also free to be a bit more experimental in their sampling, because they don’t have to commit to purchasing a full glass or bottle. If a particular wine isn’t of their liking, they can move on to the hundreds of others available for sampling.

LocalBozo.com: How many guests do you anticipate will be coming out for the 2013 Festival?

EH: We anticipate several thousand attendees throughout the weekend. March can be a dreary time in New York, as residents are eagerly waiting for spring. Until that happens, The New York Wine Expo is a fun way to spend a few hours with a group of friends or significant other. At least I can’t think of another way I’d like to spend an afternoon.

LocalBozo.com: Anything else you would like to leave for the readers of LocalBozo.com?

EH: This year we are excited to have “QVC’s Resident Foodie,” join us for the first time. David Venable will be at the Expo on Friday, March 1, meeting guests, sharing his experience in the kitchen to offering wine pairing ideas.

 The LocalBozo.com Team will be on hand all weekend long and we simply can’t wait to meet you all and share in this delicious experience.

- The LocalBozo.com Team