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Formerly known as the Houston Sommelier Competition, we’re shifting gears and raising the bar! The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Texas proudly presents the “Houston Italian Wine Ambassador Competition” at the 11th annual Taste of Italy Houston trade fair and festival, taking place on Monday, March, 3 2025. Click here to register ($19.50 registration fee).

Theme: 100% Italian: Immerse yourself in the beauty of Italian viticulture and wines for a fully Italian-centered experience. The theory and blind tasting exams will showcase the best of Italy’s wine culture.

Open to All Wine Professionals: Calling all wine enthusiasts from around the world! Whether you’re a Houston-based sommelier, a wine professional or a knowledgeable enthusiast from anywhere in the city, state, or country, this competition is for you.

All in One Day: To make it more accessible, all exams will be conducted on Monday, March (10.00-11.30 a.m.). After the competition you’ll have free access to the extensive walk-around tasting and multiple educational seminars, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet and mingle with producers from Italy to the trade show.

Prizes and Prestige: The candidate with the highest combined scores will earn the coveted title of “Houston Italian Wine Ambassador” for 12 months. The winner will embark on a government-sponsored wine education trip to Italy and receive a scholarship for further wine studies. Additional scholarships will be awarded to top performers in each exam category.

Winners’ Revelation: Join us at the Monday afternoon seminar during the trade fair to celebrate and unveil the competition winners.

Elevate Your Wine Journey: Don’t miss your chance to become the next Houston Italian Wine Ambassador! Embrace the challenge, showcase your expertise, and revel in the world of Italian wines. Click here to register ($19.50 registration fee).

Cheers to a Celebration of Italian Wines in Houston!

On the heels of the success of the previous ten year, we are pleased to announce that Taste of Italy will return to the city of Houston on March 3, 2025 (11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.) at the
Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria (2001 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056).
We’ll be celebrating the 11th anniversary of the trade show in the city where it started. Are you a professional in the Food or Wine industry? Click HERE to register!

The list of producers that will be at Taste of Italy Houston 2025 keeps growing. Currently, the following ones have already confirmed their participation:

WINE SELECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS PRESENTED BY:
GB EXPORT
FRESCHI&BUFANO
SERENDIPITY WINES
GROSSETO EXPORT

FEATURED WINE PRODUCERS:

ABRUZZO
CITRA – Available in Texas

CAMPANIA
LA GUARDIENSE – Available in Texas – Looking for distribution for new items

LAZIO
PARVUS AGER – Available in Texas
CASAL DE LUCA – Looking for importer/distributor

LOMBARDY
LA MONTINA FRANCIACORTA – Available in Texas

PIEDMONT
VITE COLTE – CANTINE IN BAROLO – Available in Texas
SCRIMAGLIO – Available in Texas
AZIENDA AGRICOLA NEGRETTI VINI – Looking for importer/distributor

SICILIY
FIRRIATO – Available in Texas
AL FEU 1915 – Looking for importer/distributor

TUSCANY
PODERE LA PACE – Looking for importer/distributor
I VINI DI MAREMMA – Available in Texas
AZIENDA AGRICOLA LA QUERCE – Looking for importer/distributor
FATTORIA SAN FELO – Looking for importer/distributor
PODERE MONTALE – Looking for importer/distributor
VALVIRGINIO COLLI FIORENTINI – Available in Texas – Looking for distribution for new items

UMBRIA
BRIZIARELLI – Available in Texas

VENETO
SETTE ANIME – Looking for importer/distributor
DAMOLI VINI – Looking for importer/distributor
CANTINE BERTOLDI – Looking for importer/distributor

FOOD ITEMS SECTION

DESSERT ITEMS SELECTION BY BINDI USA – Available in Texas
MULTI-REGION CHEESE SELECTION BY QUALITA’ LEONE – Looking for importer/distributor
PUGLIA EXTRA VERGIN OLIVE OIL BY OLIO IN FIORE – Looking for importer/distributor
TUSCAN BIO EXTRA VERGIN OLIVE OIL BY OLEIFICIO LE BOLLI – Looking for importer/distributor
HIGH QUALITY COLD CUTS BY ROVAGNATI Looking for importer/distributor in Texas – Available in other states
ARTISANAL PASTA BY PASTA PICCININI – Looking for importer/distributor in Texas – Available in other states
CAVIAR TRUFFLES&MUSHROOMS BY DR DELICACY – Available in Texas
GOURMET SELECTION BY SAVOR CAVIAR – Available in Texas

Our longtime member, Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano, historic producer of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in Tuscany will be presentiing their wines in Oklahoma and Louisiana in January. The IACC Texas has organized a series of one-on-one meetings with regional importers and distributors to showcase their wines.

Vecchia Cantina — the “old cellar” — was founded in the late 1930s by a group of likeminded growers and winemakers outside the picturesque town of Montepulciano.

Over the decades, the winery has become renowned for its production of classic Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a wine vinified with Sangiovese grapes, a variety known locally as Prugnolo Gentile.

This iconic winery represents one of the greatest winemaking traditions in Italy, with roots that stretch back for centuries. Its award-winning wines are widely considered to be among the best to come from this storied appellation.

Welcome, Vecchia Cantina, we couldn’t be more pleased to count you among our community and family of Italian businesses working in the U.S.!

Please have a look at this video by the winery.

On the heels of the success of Taste of Italy El Paso, held last October, we are pleased to announce that Taste of Italy will return to the city on October 10, 2024 (11.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.). Are you a professional in the Food or Wine industry? Click HERE to register!

The list of producers that will be at Taste of Italy Dallas keeps growing. Currently, the following ones have already confirmed their participation:

WINE SELECTIONS FROM VARIOUS REGIONS PRESENTED BY:
DIVINO ITALY
FRESCHI&BUFANO

ABRUZZO
CITRA
SELECTION OF WINES FROM THE REGION PRESENTED BY CONSORZIO VINI D’ABRUZZO:
Pasetti – Barone Cornacchia – Cantina Agriverde – Tenuta Arabona – Bossanova – Mazzarosa

LAZIO
ÔMINA ROMANA
PARVUS AGER

PIEDMONT
SCRIMAGLIO
AMISTA’ PIEDMONT WINE
SELECTION OF VERMOUTH DI TORINO PRESENTED BY: CONSORZIO DEL VERMOUTH DI TORINO

TUSCANY
CANTINA COLI
PODERE CONCA BOLGHERI
PODERE DELL’ANSELMO
SELECTION OF PDO CHEESE PRESENTED BY: CONSORZIO DEL PECORINO TOSCANO PDO

UMBRIA
ANTONELLI
TILI VINI
LA VENERANDA
COLLE CIOCCO
TENUTA FREDDANO
CESARINI SARTORI
BRIZIARELLI
BOCALE
CHIORRI
DUCA DELLA CORGNA

VENETO
CASTELLO DI RONCADE

On the heels of the success of Taste of Italy Dallas, held last November, we are pleased to announce that Taste of Italy will return to the city on October 8, 2024 (11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.). Are you a professional in the Food or Wine industry? Click HERE to register!

The list of producers that will be at Taste of Italy Dallas keeps growing. Currently, the following ones have already confirmed their participation:

DESSERT ITEMS SELECTION PRESENTED BY BINDI USA

WINE SELECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS PRESENTED BY:
GRUPPO I VINAI
STESSA TERRA
DIVINO ITALY
FRESCHI&BUFANO
SERENDIPITY WINES

ABRUZZO
CITRA

LAZIO
ÔMINA ROMANA
PARVUS AGER
SAN MARCO

LOMBARDY
CANTINA BOCCADORO

PIEDMONT
COLLE MANORA
SCRIMAGLIO
AMISTA’ PIEDMONT WINES

SARDINIA
TENUTE SHARDANA

SICILIY
FIRRIATO

TUSCANY
CANTINA COLI
PODERE CONCA BOLGHERI
PODERE DELL’ANSELMO

UMBRIA
ANTONELLI
TILI VINI
LA VENERANDA
COLLE CIOCCO
TENUTA FREDDANO
CESARINI SARTORI
BRIZIARELLI
BOCALE
CHIORRI
DUCA DELLA CORGNA

VENETO
AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIANCHIN
AZIENDA AGRICOLA BERTOLDI
CASTELLO DI RONCADE
BALAN

Please join us for Taste of Italy El Paso, now in its second year, Thursday, October 10, at Anson 11, from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Free entrance).

PLEASE REGISTER HERE

This year’s trade component will be its largest ever, including more than 20 exhibitors and 400 products.

Celebrity mixologist Valentino Longo (pictured) will be leading a seminar on “Vermouth and the Mediterranean Aperitivo” and Italian food and wine historian Jeremy Parzen, author of DoBianchi.com, will be leading a tasting devoted to the wines of Abruzzo.

The Wines of Abruzzo
12:30 p.m.
seminar and tasting led by
wine writer Jeremy Parzen
author of DoBianchi.com

The current U.S. ambassador for the Consortium of Abruzzo Wine Growers and a widely read wine writer and food and wine historian, Jeremy will lead participants through a discussion of Abruzzo’s distinct microclimates and its dynamic viticulture.

and

The Mediterranean Aperitivo Project
3:00 p.m.
seminar and tasting led by
leading mixologist Valentino Longo
founder of Shoshin Art Club

Valentino will walk participants through the history of vermouth and how it can be used in mixology today. One of the leading mixologists working in the U.S. today, Valentino will share his insights and experience in working with top vermouth.

The Mediterranean Aperitivo Project isn’t just about drinks; it’s a lifestyle, a concept that celebrates quality and tradition. Picture yourself savoring the finest Vermouth di Torino PGI, paired with the exquisite flavors of Pecorino Toscano PDO, zesty Lemons from the Amalfi Coast PGI, and briny olives from Greece. These are not just ingredients; they’re treasures safeguarded by the European Union’s stringent quality standards.

But it’s not just about taste; it’s about embracing a healthier, low ABV option without compromising on flavor. As Roberto Bava, President of the Consorzio del Vermouth di Torino, puts it, “We are thrilled to introduce a touch of our aperitivo heritage to Texas, emphasizing the significance of understanding the meticulous process of crafting Vermouth di Torino, step by step, along with the other products part of the project.”

For more information, please contact IACC Texas deputy director Maurizio Gamberucci by clicking here.

Join Us for Taste of Italy Dallas! REGISTER HERE.

Now in its third year, the event will take place on Tuesday, October 8, at Eataly Dallas from 11.00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This year’s trade component will be the largest ever, featuring over 20 exhibitors and 400 products.

Program:

Grand Tasting (free entrance):
The grand tasting will take place for the entire duration of the show, from 11.00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., featuring Italian wine and food at Eataly’s restaurant Terra.

Hors d’oeuvres paired with wine offered by Stessa Terra (11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.)

Two Exciting Seminars:
The Wines of Umbria
12:30 p.m. (La Scuola – Eataly)
Discover exquisite wines from 10 exceptional Umbrian winemakers, including Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Grechetto, and Montefalco Rosso. Enjoy light bites inspired by Umbrian cuisine, paired perfectly with each wine.

Undiscovered tourist destinations in Lombardy
3:00 p.m. (La Scuola – Eataly)
Explore Lombardy as a unique travel destination, focusing on lesser-known regions like Valtellina and Oltrepo Pavese. Enjoy regional bites alongside Franciacorta Brut, a Metodo Classico sparkling wine from Boccadoro winery.

Both seminars will be led by Jeremy Parzen, an esteemed Italian food and wine historian and author of DoBianchi.com.

Registration Fee (only for the Seminars): $20 per seminar (RSVP HERE). Your registration also grants access to the grand tasting.

For more information, please contact IACC Texas deputy director Maurizio Gamberucci by clicking here.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Italy’s wines and culinary delights! We look forward to seeing you on October 8!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Please join us for two very unique seminars on Thursday, October 10, at Taste of Italy El Paso:

The Wines of Abruzzo
12:30 p.m.
seminar and tasting led by
wine writer Jeremy Parzen
author of DoBianchi.com

The current U.S. ambassador for the Consortium of Abruzzo Wine Growers and a widely read wine writer and food and wine historian, Jeremy will lead participants through a discussion of Abruzzo’s distinct microclimates and its dynamic viticulture.

These are the featured Wines:

TENUTA ARABONA Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Doc Mia Natura 2023.

BOSSANOVA Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Doc 2022;

MAZZAROSA Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Docg 2021;

PASETTI Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Doc Riserva Tenutarossa 2021;

AGRIVERDE Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Doc Solarea 2019;

BARONE CORNACCHIA Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Docg Vizzarro 2018;

AGRIVERDE Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Doc Solarea 2019;

and

Vermouth, the Mediterranean Aperitivo Project
3:00 p.m.
seminar and tasting led by
leading mixologist Valentino Longo
founder of Shoshin Art Club

The Mediterranean Aperitivo Project isn’t just about drinks; it’s a lifestyle, a concept that celebrates quality and tradition. Picture yourself savoring the finest Vermouth di Torino PGI, paired with the exquisite flavors of Pecorino Toscano PDO, zesty Lemons from the Amalfi Coast PGI, and briny olives from Greece. These are not just ingredients; they’re treasures safeguarded by the European Union’s stringent quality standards.

But it’s not just about taste; it’s about embracing a healthier, low ABV option without compromising on flavor. As Roberto Bava, President of the Consorzio del Vermouth di Torino, puts it, “We are thrilled to introduce a touch of our aperitivo heritage to Texas, emphasizing the significance of understanding the meticulous process of crafting Vermouth di Torino, step by step, along with the other products part of the project.”