The Great East Coast Pour-Off

California gets plenty of attention, but this tasting makes a convincing case for keeping an eye on the East Coast. The Great East Coast Pour-Off puts Virginia’s Barboursville Vineyards and New York’s Wölffer Estate head-to-head across five courses, with each pairing matched to chef Eric Reid’s small bites. The lineup moves from Prosecco and Sauvignon Blanc through rosé and Cabernet Franc before finishing with Barboursville Paxxito and baklava cheesecake. What makes the evening more appealing than a standard wine dinner is the competitive setup: guests are encouraged to compare the wines, ask questions and pick sides. It is a smart format for anyone who knows their way around a wine list but wants to taste these two regions side by side rather than hear another lecture about them.