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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2025

VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO

MASTERCLASS & FREE TASTING

May 22, 2025

Both events - the masterclass and the free wine tasting - were held in Montreal at the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a red wine produced by vineyards that surround the town of Montepulciano in Italy. The wine is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape viriety (minimum 70%) that is known locally as Prugnolo gentile. It is blended with Canaiolo Nero (10%–20%) and a small amounts of other local varieties of grapes. The wine is aged for 2 years, of that at least 1 year in oak barrels. And is aged for three years if it is a reserve wine (riserva).

Ten exclusive wines were offered for tasting during the Masterclass. They were all excellent wines and it was quite a task to choose the favourite. Each wine had a specific personality and created quite diverse reaction in one’s mouth. Very unique and very impressive wines.

Many more varieties of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines were offered at the free wine tasting event. This was an excellent event to get acquainted with the variety of exceptional wines from the Italian Montepulciano region.

The free wine tasting was generously accompanied with a great quality and quantity of Italian cold cuts and cheese tables at the back of the free wine tasting hall..

All photos in this article @Nadia Slejskova

Italian Wines 2024

A Tasting of Wines from Italy

29th Edition

November 6, 2024

A TASTING OF WINES FROM ITALY is The Italian Trade Agency's flagship event connecting Italian wine producers and their agents with Canadian wine buyers.

This year, four venues were presented in Canada:

Vancouver, Monday October 28, 2024

Calgary, Wednesday October 30, 2024

Toronto, Monday, November 4, 2024

Montreal, Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The Montreal event, as always, was a great success. Huge crowds of professionals filled the very spacious two large hall premises of the Bonsecours Market n Old Montreal. This is an annual event hat has become a flagship commercial event for Canadian wine professionals. Montreal event was significant, well attended and appreciated by wine connoisseurs and all the professionals.

Close to 100 Italian producers took part in the walk-around tasting, coming from a number of Italian wine producing regions and with a great number of wine labels to showcase. This attracted huge crowds of specialists including agents, representatives of provincial monopolies, hotels and restaurants, specialized journalists, top sommeliers, commentators, and wine enthusiasts. This Montreal wine tasting even was a great success.

Here is a short photo reportage of 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.

Excellent Castello di Gabbiano wines