Today, Sunday, April 12, the wine world turns its attention to Vinitaly 2026, opening its doors at Veronafiere. Over the next four days, until April 15, the fair will host an extraordinary program of tastings and events, offering a comprehensive exploration of Italy’s diverse wine landscape—its territories, grape varieties, appellations, and evolving styles.
With nearly 80 scheduled events and hundreds more tastings hosted directly by over 4,000 exhibiting wineries, Vinitaly once again confirms its role as a global hub for wine culture and innovation.
Grand Tastings: A Deep Dive into Wine Identity
Among the highlights are the prestigious Grand Tastings, beginning on April 13 with Gabriele Gorelli, who will lead “The Reason WHYTE”, a masterclass dedicated to Italian white wines that stand out for their uniqueness and versatility at the table.
On April 14, Ian D’Agata and Andrea Gualdoni will guide participants through an ambitious tasting journey spanning regions and styles—from Pinot Noir to Monica, Bellone to Cabernet Sauvignon, and even extending beyond Italy to Germany and China.
Closing the trilogy is “Eccellenze d’Italia: Viaggio nelle Grandi Annate delle Cantine Storiche”, hosted by Riccardo Cotarella and Luciano Ferraro, celebrating Italy’s great vintages and historic wineries.
Opening Day Highlights: A Taste of What’s to Come
The first day sets the tone with leading Italian wine guides and critics. Daniele Cernilli presents The DoctorWine Selection, a curated series of tastings ranging from “Langhe and Beyond” to “Supertuscans & Co.” and explorations of both timeless reds and modern Italian whites.
Meanwhile, Gambero Rosso hosts its celebrated Tre Bicchieri walk-around tasting from the Vini d’Italia 2026 guide, offering a unique opportunity to sample some of the country’s top-rated wines.
International perspectives also take center stage. Wine Spectator opens with “Barolo, Then and Now”, led by Bruce Sanderson, while Bordeaux wines are showcased in dedicated sessions exploring unexpected expressions of this iconic French region.
Competitions and publications such as the International Wine and Spirit Competition and Decanter bring their own masterclasses, focusing on comparisons like Barolo vs Barbaresco and the excellence of native Italian grape varieties.
Emerging Voices and Native Varieties
Vinitaly continues to champion innovation and new talents. The Young to Young format, created by Paolo Massobrio and Marco Gatti, returns for its ninth edition, spotlighting young winemakers and content creators.
At the same time, Ian D’Agata leads the MicroMega Wines masterclass series, beginning with “Odissea Autoctona”, a fascinating journey through indigenous grape varieties—from sparkling wines to sweet, orange, and hybrid styles.
Beyond Wine: Pairings, Gastronomy, and Culture
Vinitaly 2026 goes beyond the glass, embracing the broader world of gastronomy. The Consorzio Tutela Formaggio Asiago brings a rich program of tastings and collaborations, including a standout masterclass with the Consorzio di tutela vini DOC Sicilia.
This session explores pairings between Asiago DOP cheeses at different aging stages and Sicilian wines such as Grillo, Nerello Mascalese, and Nero d’Avola—highlighting the dialogue between regional identities and culinary traditions.
Street food takes on a gourmet twist with the “Street Food d’Autore” project in collaboration with JRE-Italia, while a special show cooking event by the Istituto IPSAR Luigi Carnacina celebrates local ingredients with a risotto featuring Bardolino wine, red Verona radicchio, and Asiago DOP.
Wine Meets History: The Recioto Experience
Culture and storytelling come together thanks to the Biblioteca Internazionale La Vigna, which hosts a unique event dedicated to Recioto della Valpolicella.
Guided by Corinna Gianesini and in collaboration with the Le Donne del Vino, participants will embark on a vertical tasting spanning vintages from 2022 back to the historic 2000. The experience is enriched by a documentary exploring the legacy of the library’s founder and the deep cultural roots of this iconic Italian passito wine.
A Global Stage for Italian Wine
From prestigious masterclasses to immersive tastings, from food pairings to cultural storytelling, Vinitaly 2026 once again demonstrates why it remains one of the most important wine events in the world.
For professionals and enthusiasts alike, Verona becomes, for a few days, the beating heart of global wine culture—where tradition meets innovation, and every glass tells a story.
