Alison Napjus

Alison Napjus

Senior Editor and Tasting Director, New York
Tasting Beats: Italy, Champagne, Alsace, Spain, South Africa

About

Alison Napjus joined Wine Spectator in 2000, and was promoted to senior editor in 2012 and tasting director in 2016. She is lead taster for the wines of Spain, France’s Champagne and Alsace regions, South Africa and wines from regions throughout Italy.

After graduating from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, Napjus moved to New York to take a position as a manager at Tribeca Grill restaurant. As tasting director, she oversees the scope and content of Wine Spectator’s annual reviews of more than 15,000 wines, working closely with the tasters and tasting coordinators in the New York and Napa offices. Currently she divides her time between New York, where she is based, with a second home in Tampa, Fla. She regularly travels abroad, both personally and professionally.

Pope Francis Doesn’t Just Enjoy Wine; He Believes It’s a Gift from God
Unfiltered

Pope Francis Doesn’t Just Enjoy Wine; He Believes It’s a Gift from God

In a private audience with leading Italian winemakers, the head of the Catholic Church …

Feb 2, 2024
141 Great Wines for Everyday Moments
Tasting Reports

141 Great Wines for Everyday Moments

Smart buys for weeknight dinners, Sunday brunches and all the daily occasions in between

Feb 29, 2024
9 Delicious Spanish Gems Up to 91 Points
Tasting Reports

9 Delicious Spanish Gems Up to 91 Points

Spain's Albariño whites and Rioja reds are the stars of these new reviews, including a …

Jan 18, 2024
Top 10 Values of 2023
Tasting Reports

Top 10 Values of 2023

Our editors spotlight the best-priced wines of the year

Feb 29, 2024
Italy's Veneto Shines with These 9 Beautiful Wines Under $40
Tasting Reports

Italy's Veneto Shines with These 9 Beautiful Wines Under $40

Valpolicella, Soave and more take center stage in these new reviews of impressive value …

Jan 11, 2024
11 Exciting Italian Bubblies for Celebrations
Tasting Reports

11 Exciting Italian Bubblies for Celebrations

Add some sparkle to your wintertime festivities with these new reviews of Prosecco, …

Dec 21, 2023
A Major Italian Name Shifts—Allegrini Family Divides Wine Company Between Veneto and Tuscany
News

A Major Italian Name Shifts—Allegrini Family Divides Wine Company Between Veneto and Tuscany

Longtime CEO Marilisa Allegrini and her daughters will manage two Tuscan wineries and the …

Dec 14, 2023
Travel Southern Italy with These 10 Stellar Wines Up to 93 Points
Tasting Reports

Travel Southern Italy with These 10 Stellar Wines Up to 93 Points

Campania and Sardinia star in these new reviews of Vermentino, Aglianico, Cannonau and …

Dec 14, 2023
Champagne’s Sparkle
Tasting Reports

Champagne’s Sparkle

Quality—and prices—continue to rise as vintners respond to consumer demand

Dec 15, 2023