The USA Trade Tasting (USATT) is back, bringing together top-tier wineries, breweries, and distilleries for an unparalleled two-day trade event in Chicago. Taking place in the west loop of Chicago on May 20-21, 2025, USATT is the go-to event for importers, distributors, retailers, and hospitality professionals looking to discover new brands, network with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights through expert-led masterclasses and conferences.

The 2025 USA Trade Tasting event will also include Sommeliers Choice Awards tasting pavilion where you will be able to taste the early entrants that entered in the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

For wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, and industry professionals, there's an exciting opportunity on the horizon. The 2024 USA Trade Tasting will showcase some top winners of the Sommeliers Choice Awards on May 22-23, 2024 in Chicago. The Sommeliers Choice Awards presents a unique platform where every wine is meticulously evaluated by seasoned master sommeliers. 

This prestigious competition sets itself apart by ensuring that an esteemed panel of experienced sommeliers, recognized for their expertise and discerning palates, meticulously assesses each wine entered.

Taste the Best: Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 Entrants

A highlight of the event will be the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 Tasting Zone, where attendees can explore and evaluate award-winning wines from this prestigious competition. Designed specifically for the on-trade, the Sommeliers Choice Awards recognizes wines based on Food parability, typicity, quality, value, and packaging appeal—key factors that matter to sommeliers and restaurant buyers. This is an exclusive opportunity to taste and assess these wines before they hit the market, ensuring you stay ahead of the latest trends in the industry.

This will be a walk around and self pour tasting area where Sommeliers and Wine Directors can pick a glass and enjoy the wines at their own pace. Each table will have a supplier table tent card (below) helping you learn more about the wine.

Claim Your Free Trade Pass Before March 31!

Industry professionals can register now and secure their free trade pass before March 31. After this date, passes will be available at the standard ticket price. Don't miss this opportunity to attend one of the most influential wine, beer, and spirits trade events in the U.S.

Explore the Conference & Masterclass Schedule

Beyond tastings, USATT 2025 will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, panel discussions, and masterclasses, covering everything from market entry strategies to the latest trends in wine, beer, and spirits. The event is designed to provide actionable insights to help businesses grow their distribution, enhance their brand presence, and boost sales.

Why Attend?

1. Meet Suppliers & Distributors – Connect with brand owners, importers, and key decision-makers in the industry.

2. Expand Your Portfolio – Discover new products and negotiate deals directly with producers.

3. Learn from Experts – Gain industry insights through conference sessions and interactive masterclasses.

4. Taste Sommeliers Choice Awards Winners – Get an exclusive look at the top wines selected by sommeliers for sommeliers.

Get Your Free Trade Pass Now!

Event Dates: May 20, 2025
Location: Morgan MFG, Chicago (401 N Morgan St, Chicago IL 60642).

Register now to secure your free trade pass and explore the conference, masterclass schedule, and featured exhibitors. Don’t wait—this offer expires on March 31!  Register Here to get 2025 USATT Visitor Tickets.

Entry Information Into 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards

If you are a wine importer or a winery in USA, looking to enter into the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards, you are invited to enter before April 18 final submission deadline.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is The USA's on-premise wine competition that helps you showcase your wines to the top sommeliers, master sommeliers, and wine directors of the USA. The judging panel of the Sommeliers Choice Awards consists of top sommeliers, master sommeliers, wine directors, and on-premise buyers at U.S. restaurants.

Each panel has a Master Sommelier which means each wine is also reviewed by a Master Sommelier.

Here's who will be judging in 2025:

Jill Zimorski, MS, DipWSET
Master Sommelier and Adjunct Professor, DePaul University

Jesse Becker MS
Master Sommelier at Veritable Wines & Estates KG, Chicago

Ira Harmon MS
Master Sommelier and Fine Wine Specialist at Vin Sauvage, Las Vegas, NV

Morgan Harris MS
Master Sommelier and Head Sommelier at Saison Hospitality, San Francisco

Kyungmoon Kim, MS
Master Sommelier

Brian Koziol MS
Master Sommelier and Complex Director Food & Beveragen Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts, Florida

Peter Granoff, MS
Master Sommelier, Wine Educator, Speaker, Entrepreneur, San Francisco

Pablo Braida, MS
Master Sommelier

Jeremy Broto-mur, MS
Master Sommelier

Larissa C Dubose
National Director Beverages- Dining Division at Paradies Lagardère and Wine Enthusiast Magazine Future 40, Vino Volo National Buyer

Matthew Citriglia FKA MS
Director of Education at Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits

Cassandra E. Sakai
Corporate Director of Beverage Operations, Gibsons Restaurant Group

Jared Givens
Director of Restaurants, Bars and Events for the Thompson Dallas, Hyatt Hotels

Chris Hackett
Sales Manager and Warehouse Manager at Lionstone New York

Jared Sowinski
Director of Beverage at Upward Projects Restaurant Group | Postino WineCafe | Joyride Taco House | Windsor | Federal Pizza

Brandon Tebbe, MS
Master Sommelier, SWE ISG Certified Sommelier Certified Sherry Wine Expert, and Ten Five Hospitalit

Marsha Wright
Corporate Lead Sommelier at Greek Brands, Chicago

See full list of judges here. Don't miss your chance to enter in the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards. Submission deadline is April 18, 2025.

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