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.

How to Buy Fine Wine
How To

How to Buy Fine Wine

Advice from our editors on where to find the wines you want

Apr 30, 2025
Discover Spain with These 9 Amazing Riojas at 90+ Points
Tasting Reports

Discover Spain with These 9 Amazing Riojas at 90+ Points

Explore Spain's best-known wine region with new reviews of outstanding red wines priced …

Mar 6, 2025
Portugal’s Tipping Point
Tasting Reports

Portugal’s Tipping Point

The excellent 2021 vintage represents a watershed moment to explore the country’s table …

Feb 28, 2025
Passport to Value
Tasting Reports

Passport to Value

Book your ticket with our editors to find great smart buys from around the world

Feb 28, 2025
Top 10 Values of 2024
Tasting Reports

Top 10 Values of 2024

Our editors spotlight the best-priced wines of the year

Feb 28, 2024
Discover Southern Italy with These 11 Fantastic Wines
Tasting Reports

Discover Southern Italy with These 11 Fantastic Wines

Take an Italian tour with new reviews of delicious wines from Sicily's Etna, Campania's …

Jan 9, 2025
10 Sensational Italian Sparkling Wines for New Year's Eve
Tasting Reports

10 Sensational Italian Sparkling Wines for New Year's Eve

Welcome the New Year with new reviews of Prosecco, Lambrusco and Franciacorta priced as low …

Dec 26, 2024
Champagne’s Great Debate Is Not So Great
Opinion

Champagne’s Great Debate Is Not So Great

Rumors of rivalry between big houses and growers have been greatly exaggerated

Dec 31, 2024
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
Tasting Reports

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance

Tracking the rebirth of South Africa’s legendary dessert wine

Dec 31, 2024