What happens when a glass of Chianti arrives at an Italian restaurant in China or Japan and meets dishes and ingredients from diverse culinary traditions? The answer lies right at the dining table. From September 14 to 20, the Consorzio Vino Chianti will host a week of targeted tastings and themed evenings across 15 restaurants in Tokyo and Shenzhen. Featured labels will be served directly during dinner service, primarily in Italian-inspired venues and - particularly in Shenzhen - within varied gastronomic settings.
Titled "Chianti Evenings" as part of the broader "Chianti Lovers Asian Tour 2026," the initiative focuses on the relationship between food and wine to highlight Chianti’s versatility to Asian audiences - moving it out of traditional tasting environments and into everyday dining experiences.
"Wine is truly understood when it reaches the table, meets a dish, and becomes part of an experience," says Giovanni Busi, President of the Consorzio Vino Chianti. "That is why we chose to bring Chianti directly into restaurants in Tokyo and Shenzhen, starting with the many Italian-inspired venues that serve as a natural bridge to our food and wine culture. At the same time, especially in Shenzhen, we will have the opportunity to engage with different culinary offerings and explore new pairings."
In Tokyo, organized in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ICCJ), ten Italian restaurants will participate: Clima di Toscana, Giglio, Pepe Rosso, Tanta Roba, Bracali Italian Restaurant, Osteria Totto, La Cometa, Italian Pub Hikage, Il Cardinale Ginza, and Tanto Tanto Gotanda. Throughout the week, evening guests will be able to sample and discover various expressions of Chianti DOCG directly at their tables, a dining context that remains one of the main channels through which Italian wine culture meets the Japanese public.
In Shenzhen, activities kick off on September 14 with an exclusive press dinner at Notti for Chinese trade media and KOLs. Organized alongside Veronafiere/Veronafiere Asia, the event will feature a Tuscan-inspired menu paired with Chianti DOCG wines. This launches a week-long program running through September 20 across five venues in the Futian and Nanshan districts: Notti, Gem Garden, Yoru, Yoriyama, and Torisawa. Here, Chianti’s journey expands further: alongside Italian dishes, the wines will be featured in diverse culinary contexts, ranging from Chinese and Japanese cuisine to French-inspired menus. This journey across varied culinary traditions aims to show how Chianti can complement different flavors and ingredients while staying true to its identity and Tuscan heritage.