Italian Wines 2026

 

 

A Tasting of Wines from Italy

31th Edition

November 4, 2026

TASTING OF WINES FROM ITALY is an eagerly awaited the Italian Trade Agency's flagship event that connects Italian wine producers and their agents with Canadian wine buyers. This years 31st edition represents a tremendous success that Italian wine produces have in Canada. This year, four major venues were presented in Canada: in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. 

"A Tasting of Wines from Italy" trade show took place across four Canadian cities in October-November 2026, organized by the Italian Trade Agency: 

• Toronto, ON – November 2, 2026 (Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street)

• Montréal, QC – November 4, 2026 (Marché Bonsecours, 350 rue Saint-Paul Est)

• Vancouver, BC – November 9, 2026 (The Vancouver Club)

• Calgary, AB – November 10, 2026, The Fairmont Palliser (Crystal Ballroom, 133 9 Avenue SW, Calgary)

This year’s 31st annual edition of "A Tasting of Wines from Italy", is featuring wines and spirits from 15 regions, each region presenting multiple wineries, and each winery offering for tasting a considerable number of their different wines and vintages.

 

The Montreal Italian wines presentation was truly spectacular. It started with the extremely well attended Master Class where were discussed and presented for tasting 6 superb white wines, all from different wine growing regions in Italy. The last one was from Sicily. It was really very difficult to decide which wines were the best.

The Montreal event, always held at the two very large halls inside the Historical Marché Bonsecure in the Old Montreal, hosted 104 separate tables of different vyaneries with several representatives at each table. That was well appreciated by wine connoisseurs and professionals who got a chance to talk to a large number of the Italian wine producers and promoters, and also to ask questions, taste a great number and variety of excellent wines, to make professional contacts and, most importantly, to make deals. 

 

 

   

This annual event that has become a flagship commercial event for the Canadian wine professionals. 

 

 

 

 

  

Food was also generously provided in great quantity at this event - true to the traditional Italian hospitality - and it was very much appreciated by al the attendees. 

 

Click on Images to enlarge them.

All Photos @ Nadia Slejskova

Click on the title above the very first photo for this article's dedicated internet address. 

  

  

CHIANTI Italian Wine 2026

VINO CHIANTI Italian Wine

MASTERCLASS 

September 1, 2026    

The masterclass was held in Montreal, at the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec. It was presented by Jacky Blisson, MW.The themes was 

The Renaissance of Chianti: the evolution of a contemporary classic. Altitude, freshness, and a modern expression of Sangiovese and its related varieties. 

 

Chianti is a dry red wine from the Tuscany region of central Italy made primarily from the Sangiovese grape.

Key Classifications

• Chianti DOCG: The standard regional style, requiring a minimum of 70% to 80% Sangiovese.

• Chianti Classico: Produced in the historic heartland between Florence and Siena, marked by a Black Rooster seal on the neck. It requires at least 80% Sangiovese.
  

 

 

The first definition of a wine area called Chianti was made in 1716. In 1932 the Chianti area was completely redrawn and divided into seven sub-areas: Classico, Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi, Montalbano and Rùfina.

During the 1970s producers started to reduce the quantity of white grapes in Chianti. In 1995 it became legal to produce a Chianti with 100% Sangiovese. For a wine to retain the name of Chianti it must be produced with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes. Aged Chianti (at least 6 months in barrel and 3 more in bottle before release, instead of 6 months aging without barreling necessary) may be labelled as Riserva. Chianti that meets more stringent requirements (lower yield, higher alcohol content and dry extract) may be labelled as Chianti Superiore, although Chianti from the Classico sub-area is not allowed in any event to be labelled as Superiore.

These wines were tasted during the Masterclass:

 

They were all excellent wines, and the wine lovers had a choice to chose those which they liked the most.

This event was very informative and well organized and presented. 

 

Click on Images for a photo-gallery.

All Photos @ Nadia Slejskova

Click on the title above the very first photo for this article's dedicated internet address.

  

Italian Wines 2025

A Tasting of Wines from Italy

30th Edition

November 5, 2025

This year's TASTING OF WINES FROM ITALY. an eagerly awaited the Italian Trade Agency's flagship event that connects Italian wine producers and their agents with Canadian wine buyers, celebrates its 30th Edition. This round anniversary represents a tremendous success that Italian wine produces have in Canada. This year, four major venues were presented in Canada: in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal.

The Montreal's Event was a great success, regardless of the fact that the city's transportation was impeded by the City's public transportation strike. 

The master class, the first major event of the day, presented the Slow Wines concept. It was an Italian organization in Italy that introduced this movement. In Montreal, they offered six equitable wines during the master class which they also promote in Italy and world-wide. Those wines were well appreciated by the master class attendees. They were quite unique, and for many (including myself) quite a pleasant and novel experience.

As always,  the event was a great success. Many professionals filled the two very large and spacious halls at the Bonsecours Market premises in Old Montreal, despite the public transportation strike.

This is an annual event that has become a flagship commercial event for the Canadian wine professionals. The Montreal event was well appreciated by wine connoisseurs and professionals who got a chance to talk to a big number of the  Italian wine producers and promoters, ask questions, taste their wines and make professional contacts and deals.

More of the photos from the event:

True to the traditional Italian hospitality, food was also generously provided in great quantity and very much appreciated by al the attendees.

Click on Images to enlarge them.

All Photos @ Nadia Slejskova

Click on the title above the very first photo for this article's dedicated internet address.