On June 25, 2026, the elegant setting of the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York hosted a special edition of The Italian Show by I Love Italian Food, entirely dedicated to the world of Italian wine. Organized in collaboration with Coldiretti, The Italian Show – Wine Edition brought together industry professionals, importers, buyers, journalists, and opinion leaders for a walk-around tasting designed to showcase Italian wine in its most authentic expression: the expression of its territories.
More than a simple tasting, the event offered a journey through some of Italy’s most representative wine appellations, giving guests the opportunity to meet directly with the people behind the wines. It was a dialogue built around stories, traditions, production methods, and regional identities—the very elements that make Italy’s wine heritage so unique.
Representing this extraordinary diversity were some of the country’s most iconic wineries: Casanova di Neri, renowned for its prestigious Brunello di Montalcino; Donnafugata, showcasing the distinctive volcanic character of Mount Etna; La Viarte, an ambassador for the Colli Orientali del Friuli; Piero Mancini, expressing both the elegance of Vermentino di Gallura and the character of Cannonau; Cesani, guardian of the historic Vernaccia di San Gimignano; and Cantina Orsogna, which surprised attendees with a sparkling Malvasia Orange Wine, demonstrating how innovation and tradition can successfully coexist within Italian winemaking.
The tasting experience offered participants an opportunity to travel across Italy—from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the volcanic slopes of Etna, from the Mediterranean landscapes of Sardinia to the renowned white wines of Friuli—providing a tangible expression of the biodiversity that defines Italian wine. A diversity that is not only a remarkable production asset but also one of the strongest distinguishing features of Made in Italy around the world.
This extraordinary variety was the common thread running throughout the event. The tasting highlighted how the true strength of Italian wine lies not only in the quality of its individual labels, but in the richness of its territories, grape varieties, traditions, and the unique vision behind every bottle.
The United States remains the leading non-European market for Italian wine and, at a time when exports are experiencing a slowdown, investing in initiatives that strengthen relationships between producers and trade professionals has become more important than ever. The Italian Show – Wine Edition was created with precisely this purpose: to provide a high-quality platform where Italian wine can be appreciated not only through tasting, but also through the stories, places, and people that make it truly unique.
More than just a tasting event, The Italian Show – Wine Edition stands out as a platform for promotion and meaningful connections, bringing the American market closer to Italy’s finest wines while creating new opportunities for producers to showcase their excellence.
