A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator

A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.

- MITCH FRANK

It was the opening night of Wine Spectator’s 2024 Grand Tour, and 235 of the world’s greatest wineries were pouring wines rated 90 points or higher.

The pair had come straight from watching Jon Batiste play an amazing set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and now they were eager to cap off a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.

After eight hours of sun and music, what would motivate them? “The love of fine wine,” said T. Lopez of New Orleans without hesitation. “There are such amazing wines and amazing producers here.”

A packed ballroom of close to a thousand fellow wine lovers agreed with them. This was the Grand Tour’s first visit to New Orleans, and wine fans from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and beyond flocked to the Marriott on Canal Street to taste old favorites, talk about new discoveries and meet winemakers and fellow consumers.