Lagos – For the first time, the Chianti Wine Consortium will present its wines in Africa, participating in the Top Italian Wines Roadshow organized by Gambero Rosso. The event will take place on January 27 at the Civic Centre in Lagos and will bring together wine professionals, importers, media representatives, and industry operators.
The Consortium will be represented by a delegation of 13 companies, featuring a dedicated stand with approximately 30 Chianti DOCG labels. “This is a true debut and represents a strategic step for us,” said Giovanni Busi, President of the Chianti Wine Consortium. “Africa is an emerging market where Chianti can grow steadily in the coming years.”
A masterclass will be held for the press and local operators, presenting seven Chianti DOCG labels led by Marco Sabellico, curator of Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia guide. According to Sabellico, wine consumption in Nigeria is increasing, particularly among the 20-40 age group with high income and education, offering significant growth potential for Italian wines.
The Consortium has previously explored African markets through masterclasses in Lagos and Luanda in 2024, but this is the first visit involving direct participation by the wineries themselves. The Nigerian market, while niche with about 10 million potential consumers, has high purchasing power—three times that of Milan—and distinct wine consumption habits.