On 5 June 2025, the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka hosted “Inside Italian Bubbles: A Blind Tasting Journey Through Italy’s Finest Sparkling Wines,” an immersive masterclass for a select audience of Asian wine professionals, sommeliers and influencers. The masterclass was supported by ITA – Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with Veronafiere.
The masterclass featured Diva Moretti Polegato of Villa Sandi, Nadia Zenato of Zenato, Stefano Bottega of Bottega, and Giacomo Marzotto of Ca’ del Bosco, and showcased six outstanding Italian sparkling wines (see the full list below), demonstrating both the Charmat and Classic methods as well as the regional diversity that extends from Veneto to Trentino, Franciacorta to Sicily.
Shifting perceptions
The event was hosted by Stevie Kim, in her capacity as Managing Partner of Vinitaly, who led the immersive tasting with the goal of “shifting perceptions, revealing depth and inviting discovery”.
“Italy’s sparkling wine story is bigger than you think”, said Stevie, “and at Expo 2025 Osaka, the Inside Italian Bubbles masterclass was about setting that record straight.”
“For too long,” she continued, “Italian sparkling wine has been globally associated with just one word: Prosecco. But Italy’s effervescence runs much deeper—from the alpine finesse of Trento DOC to the Champagne-level precision of Franciacorta, to Metodo Classico surprises from Lugana and Mount Etna. Italian sparkling wine isn’t just a category—it’s a constellation of styles, stories and terroirs.”
Italian bubbles with Asian flavor
The blind format encouraged participants to think about the production method, region and style of each wine, challenging their expectations and honing their sensory skills.
The tasting also highlighted the extraordinary ability of Italian sparkling wines to pair with Asian cuisine. From sushi to dim sum, from tempura to Peking duck, Italian bubbles offer elegance and versatility at the table.
“This event perfectly reflects our mission at Expo 2025: to promote the excellence, innovation and cultural depth of Made in Italy to a global audience,” said Matteo Zoppas, President of ITA – Italian Trade Agency. Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere, the organizer of Vinitaly, added: “This blind tasting 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”.
The full wine list
The wines featured in the tasting were:
Bottega
Prosecco Doc Treviso Spumante Brut “Stefano Bottega”
Ca’ Del Bosco
Franciacorta Docg Extra Brut “Cuvée Prestige Edizione 46”
Zenato
Lugana Doc Spumante Brut Metodo Classico
Planeta
Sicilia Doc Carricante Spumante Brut Metodo Classico
Ferrari Trento
Trento Doc Brut “Ferrari Hommage”
Villa Sandi
Prosecco Doc Treviso Spumante Extra Dry “Il Fresco”
