Category: Taste of Italy

Join us at the Texas Restaurant Association Show in San Antonio on July 14-15 to explore the vibrant Piazza Italia area! Immerse yourself in the flavors and culture of Italy right in the heart of Texas.

Make sure to stop by booth 1357 in the Piazza Italia area, where we welcome all wine, spirit, and food professionals to experience a taste of Italy. Discover exquisite wines, spirits, and culinary delights that showcase the essence of Italian cuisine.

Indulge in a culinary journey at the Texas Restaurant Association Show with a showcase of top-notch brands that epitomize quality and tradition. Explore an array of exquisite offerings from renowned brands:

Bindi USA: Satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent desserts crafted in Italy by Bindi USA. Experience a symphony of flavors and textures that will delight your palate.

Fabbri 1905: Discover the essence of Italian excellence with Fabbri 1905. Experience a range of premium products that embody a rich culinary heritage and unparalleled quality.

Fratelli Beretta: Delight in the finest Italian salumi from Fratelli Beretta. Experience the authentic flavors and craftsmanship of traditional cured meats that are sure to impress.

Lioni: Immerse yourself in the world of fresh cheeses with Lioni. Explore a selection of mozzarella and fresh cheeses that capture the essence of Italian dairy craftsmanship.

Pansardo: Embark on a gastronomic adventure with Pansardo. Experience a taste of Sardinia with a diverse range of cheeses and other culinary delights that reflect the unique flavors of the region.

We are also proud to announce a spectacular showcase of wines from all regions of Italy. Embark on a sensory journey as you explore a diverse selection of Italian wines, each representing the unique terroir and cultural heritage of its origin. From the robust reds of Tuscany to the crisp whites of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, indulge in a tasting experience that celebrates the diversity and excellence of Italian winemaking.

In the wake of the USDA’s greenlight to expand pork imports from central Italy, this year’s Taste of Italy (Dallas and El Paso) will be the first to feature fresh and short-term cured pork products. The following is a translation of a press release issued by the Italian government announcing the changes in U.S. Federal regulations. Please join us in October to taste a wide array of Italian wines and foods that will be presented at Taste of Italy, the largest trade fair in the U.S. devoted exclusively to Italian products.

The statement published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Last week, Michael Watson, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, signed the Federal Register “final notice” that modifies the Code of Regulations Title 9 CFR 94.12(a)(1) whereby the Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria are now included in the list of territories free from swine vesicular disease (SVD).

The publication of the final notice marks the official conclusion of the U.S. government’s lengthy process for the inclusion of the two regions in the list of territories that are free from SVD.

The provision, which will go into effect on July 12, 2024, allows for the expansion of types of pork products that can be exported to the U.S. from Tuscany and Umbria, including fresh pork products and short-term cured products that have been packaged in specially equipped facilities.

In order to export their products, these facilities must adopt the procedural measures required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Italian pork products represent a promising sector in bilateral trade between the two countries. According to the Italian government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italian pork products to the U.S. were valued at $240 million in 2023. In the first two months of 2024, that figure increased by 25 percent with respect to the same period in 2023 (source: U.S. Department of Commerce via the Italian Trade Commission in New York).

On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 28-29, 2024, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of Texas will be hosting a group of visiting Italian winemakers and grape growers for a series of tastings and meetings with Houston-based trade members.

We’ll be organizing a series of one-on-one tastings and meetings for the winery representatives and locally based distributors.

When: Tuesday, May 28 – 9 am through 5 pm – and Wednesdaym May 29 – 2 pm through 5 pm

Where: Italy-America chamber of Commerce of Texas – 1225 North Loop West, Suite 450 – Houston, Texas 77008.

What: one-on-one 30-minute (max) meet&taste with the winemakers – (light bites will be provided).

How to participate: please, email [email protected] and let us know – 1) What producers would you like to meet with; 2) your ideal time-frame. More info about the wines are available upon request.

It’s a great opportunity to learn more about three different winemaking regions in Italy — Veneto, Friuli, Lazio and Tuscany. The events will give local wine distributors the chance to meet with potential suppliers.

Their group will be led by Sebastiano Bazzano, an Italian export consultant whose company B.Connected helps Italian wineries to find the right importer in countries around the world. A longtime partner of the IACC, Sebastiano also works with importers and their suppliers to facilitates logistics once an importer has placed an order for his clients’ wines.

The IACC couldn’t be more pleased to host this compelling group of winemakers, including the following estates:

Gotto d’Oro (Lazio)
Gagia Blu (Toscana)
Villa Russiz (Friuli)
Isola Augusta (Friuli)
Obiz (Friuli)
Montesel (Veneto)
Terre di Gioia – Albino Armani (Veneto)

It’s become a genuine Houston tradition.

Ever since Taste of Italy first presented its “Texas BBQ and Italian Wine” pairing seminar, the popular event sells out within a day of being made available online.

For the Taste of Italy 2024 in Houston last month, pit master Ara Malekian (above, right), owner of the legendary Harlem Rd. Texas BBQ, returned to lead attendees through a tasting of classic Texas smoked meats and six Italian wines.

He was joined by Tom Dobson (above, left), Italian wine buyer for Spec’s, one of the largest retailers of fine wine in the U.S., and Dale Roberston, wine writer for the Houston Chronicle.

Italian food and wine historian and educator Jeremy Parzen moderated the panel.

In another era, noted Jeremy, American wine lovers often claimed that Italian wine only tasted good when paired with food.

That’s exactly the point, said Tom, a native Texan. Even though he has access to plenty of Californian, French, and other wines from around the world, Italian wines are what he typically reaches for when enjoying Texas smoked meats.

Winemakers in Italy grow and vinify their wines with food in mind, added Dale, a longtime fan and collector of Italian wines.

Of the six wines poured at the event, each was greatly appreciated by both the panelists and attendees. And each wine, ranging from lighter in body to richer and more concentrated, brought out different nuances in the smoked meats that Chef Ara had prepared especially for the occasion.

For those interested in learning more, please see the flight of wines below.

And for those who would like to attend next year’s tasting and seminar, please be sure to sign up promptly: The seats go fast for what is a standing-room-only gathering each year!

Thanks to everyone who participated and warm thanks to our panelists who shared their insights into what makes Italian wine one of the greatest pairings for Texas BBQ.

Langhe Nebbiolo, Cerrino, Piemonte
Aglianico del Sannio, La Guardiense, Campania
Ferzo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Citra, Abruzzo
Cabernet-Merlot, Carlo Scala, Puglia
Chianti Riserva DOCG, Castelsina, Toscana
Chianti Governo, Il Risveglio, Valvirgino, Toscana

The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Texas (IACC) and the organizers of the Houston Italian Wine Ambassador Competition wish to share their congratulations with the winners of this year’s event.

Candidates participated in two exams: General Theory of Italian Wines and a Deductive (Blind) Tasting of Italian wines.

Awards and prizes were given out based on the candidates’ exam scores. The first-place winner obtained the highest score for both exams. Awards were also given for the highest scores obtained in each exam, including a $500 stipend. The Competition has also been possible thanks to the support of the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie Consortium.

The winners:

David King, first place (winner of a free trip to Italy).

Arlon Crosthwait, winner, theory ($500 stipend).
Andres Blanco, runner up, theory (magnum of a Prosecco).
Frank Riccioli, second runner up, theory (Riedel decanter).

Carlos Rosa, winner, tasting ($500 stipend).
Isabel Hernandez, runner up, tasting (magnum of Prosecco)
Omar Lozano, second runner up, tasting (Riedel decanter)

The IACC would also like to share its heartfelt thanks with Houston-based sommelier Sergio Valladares, who ran this year’s competition.

Thanks to Sergio’s excellent and tireless work, the Houston Italian Wine Ambassador Competition achieved its mission of promoting Italian wine education throughout the city of Houston and the state of Texas.

Sergio, we couldn’t have done it without your vision and hard work!

Special thanks to the following wineries who provided wines for the Deductive Tasting: Citra, Viticoltori Senesi e Aretini, Capo Zafferano, La Guardiense, Abbasico di Busco, and Rifugio del Vescovo.

We regret that the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie seminar is currently sold out. If you’d like to be added to the waiting list, please contact us via email here.

Seminar and tasting: Delle Venezie D.O.C a wonderful journey into the world of Pinot Grigio

Simply Italian Great Wines Americas Tour – Taste of Italy Houston
Hilton Post Oak by the Galleria
Monday, February 26
10:30-11:30 a.m.

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie is one of the world’s most popular wines. But that popularity, it’s also one of the wine world’s most misunderstood and underrated categories. On the occasion of our February 26 seminar, we will dive into its terroir and tradition, including a discussion of soil types and growing conditions.

Please join wine writer and educator Jeremy Parzen as he leads guests through a tasting of the following wines:

Botter Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2022
Piera Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2021
GIV Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2022
Vitevis Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2022
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2022
Ruffino Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2022
Gemma di Luna Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2022

This seminar is presented by the Consorzio del Pinot Grigio delle Venezie and it is part of the Simply Italian Great Wines Americas 2024, in conjunction with Taste of Italy Houston 2024.