On June 5, the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka will host “Inside Italian Bubbles: A Blind Tasting of Italy’s Best Bubbles,” a dynamic 60-minute masterclass designed as a fun and playful blind tasting for a select audience of Asian wine professionals, sommeliers, influencers, and Kols. The session, organized by Ice Agenzia, with the support of Ice Tokyo, and in collaboration with Veronafiere and Vinitaly, will feature Diva Moretti Polegato of Villa Sandi, Nadia Zenato of Zenato, Stefano Bottega of Bottega, and Giacomo Marzotto of Ca’ del Bosco.
Italian Sparkling Wine Icons Served Blind at Expo 2025 in Osaka
The exclusive tasting “Inside Italian Bubbles: A Blind Tasting of Italy’s Best Bubbles” will highlight six Italian sparkling wine excellences, showcasing the Charmat and Classic methods and showcasing the regional breadth that ranges from Veneto to Trentino, from Franciacorta to Sicily, all served blind.
The wines featured in the tasting include:
- Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Prosecco Doc Spumante Brut
- Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco Doc Treviso Extra Dry
- Ca’ del Bosco Cuvée Prestige Franciacorta Docg Extra Brut
- Ferrari Hommage Trento Doc Brut
- Zenato Lugana Doc Brut Metodo Classico
- Planeta Sicilia Doc Carricante Metodo Classico
“Inside Italian Bubbles”: A Blind Tasting Journey Through Italy’s Finest Sparkling Wines
The tasting at Expo 2025 in Osaka will be led by Stevie Kim, Managing Partner of Vinitaly, who will accompany the public in a sensorial, playful and immersive exploration of Italian bubbles in their many expressions.
Four prominent producers will speak in person on stage: Diva Moretti Polegato of Villa Sandi, Nadia Zenato of Zenato, Stefano Bottega of Bottega and Giacomo Marzotto of Ca’ del Bosco.
Other producers will be introduced through some exclusive videos prepared for the occasion.
“Italian sparkling wine is more than a product, it is an experience,” underlines Stevie Kim. “This tasting aims to be playful, surprising and provide food for thought on the extraordinary diversity that Italy can offer in the glass”.
The blind format will guide participants in guessing the production method, region and style of each wine, challenging expectations and honing their sensory skills.
The tasting will highlight not only regional specificities and winemaking techniques, but also the extraordinary ability of Italian sparkling wines to adapt to Asian cuisine. From sushi to dim sum, from tempura to Peking duck, Italian bubbles offer elegance and versatility at the table.
“Italy has a sparkling wine for every occasion, and for every table,” says Nadia Zenato. “We are excited to introduce these styles to a new generation of Asian professionals who are shaping the future of wine culture.”
“This event perfectly reflects Ice Agenzia’s mission at Expo 2025: to promote the excellence, innovation and cultural depth of Made in Italy to a global audience,” says Matteo Zoppas, President of Ice Agenzia. “It invites the most influential Asian wine professionals to discover the elegance and versatility of our sparkling wines, strengthening Italy’s positioning in high-potential markets.”
“Vinitaly is proud to collaborate with Ice Agenzia for this unique blind tasting. It is a brilliant way to celebrate the identity of Italian sparkling wine, across styles, territories and generations, involving the Asian market through creativity and interaction,” comments Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere, the organizer of Vinitaly.
