The Consortium for the protection and promotion of Chianti PDO wine has reported a highly successful outcome from its Chianti Lovers Asian Tour, held from April 21 to 23 across Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei. The three-day initiative featured B2B meetings, masterclasses, and tastings, drawing strong participation from trade professionals and specialized media.
Packed tastings and a significant number of new and strengthened business contacts marked the tour’s conclusion, pointing to increasing interest in Chianti wines across Asian markets.
“We recorded concrete and qualified interest from Asian operators,” said Giovanni Busi, President of the Consortium. “Relationships were built on the ground, and the attentive participation confirms how central these markets are today for the growth of the denomination.”
TOKYO: STRONG OPENING WITH HIGH-LEVEL ENGAGEMENT
The tour opened in Tokyo at the JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo, where 15 companies presented approximately 33 Chianti labels out of a total of around 80 wines. Meetings with importers and industry professionals, combined with a walk-around tasting, enabled in-depth exchanges and direct dialogue.
A highlight of the day was the masterclass “Ancient Tuscan Knowledge Transformed into a Modern Wine”, led by journalist Isao Miyajima. Through six representative labels, the session explored the diversity and evolution of the Chianti denomination.
“The dialogue built during these occasions is essential to strengthen commercial relationships and consolidate Chianti’s presence in international markets,” Busi added, “especially in contexts where wine culture is constantly evolving.”
OSAKA: TRADE RESPONSE CONFIRMS MARKET INTEREST
The Osaka leg took place at the W Osaka – Wet Bar, organized in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan. Nine companies presented around 21 Chianti labels, contributing to a total of approximately 50 wines. Workshops and tastings again attracted strong engagement from trade professionals, reinforcing the positive momentum observed in Tokyo.
TAIPEI: CLOSING WITH STRATEGIC MARKET DIALOGUE
The tour concluded in Taipei at the Regent Hotel Taipei, where 13 companies showcased approximately 30 Chianti labels out of a total of around 80 wines.
The program included B2B meetings with importers, followed by the masterclass “The Soul and the Flavour of Chianti Wine. Agile and slender, deep and long-lived, with versatility as its advantage”, led by wine educator Aaron Chuang. A final walk-around tasting further facilitated engagement with local trade stakeholders.
“This experience confirmed the potential of Chianti in Asia,” Busi concluded. “It allowed us to strengthen the denomination’s positioning, enhance the work of our producers, and create new development opportunities in an increasingly competitive international landscape.”