Taipei – Packed tastings, new business contacts, and strong engagement marked the successful conclusion of the Chianti Lovers Asian Tour, organised by the Consorzio Vino Chianti from April 21 to 23 across Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei.

“We recorded strong and qualified interest from Asian operators,” said Consorzio president Giovanni Busi, highlighting how the meetings helped build concrete relationships and confirmed the strategic importance of these markets for the denomination’s future growth.

The tour began in Tokyo at the JW Marriott Hotel, where 15 wineries presented around 33 Chianti labels as part of a portfolio of roughly 80 wines. Importers, trade professionals, and media attended both walk-around tastings and direct networking sessions. A masterclass titled Ancient Tuscan Knowledge Transformed into a Modern Wine, led by journalist Isao Miyajima, showcased six representative wines and explored the diversity of the denomination.

The second stop in Osaka, hosted at the W Osaka - Wet Bar in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, featured nine wineries and about 21 labels. Workshops and tastings again drew strong engagement from industry professionals.

The tour concluded in Taipei at the Regent Hotel, where 13 wineries presented around 30 Chianti labels. The programme included B2B meetings with importers and a masterclass titled The Soul and the Flavour of Chianti Wine, led by wine educator Aaron Chuang, followed by a walk-around tasting.

“This experience confirmed Chianti’s strong potential in Asia,” Busi added, noting how the initiative strengthened the brand’s international positioning in increasingly competitive markets.