-Piedmont's tasting event on the agenda of universal exhibition-

OSAKA, Oct. 6, 2025/ANSA=Kyodo JBN/ -- 

Piedmont presented itself to the international media at Osaka's W Hotel with a tasting event entirely dedicated to Alta Langa DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin), a Classic Method spumante that will be the "wine of the year" for the entire duration of 2025 and the territory's official ambassador.

The initiative, which is part of the calendar of events of Expo 2025 Osaka, was organized by the Piedmont Region in cooperation with the Consorzio di Tutela Alta Langa (Safeguard Consortium Alta Langa).

The tasting was guided by Japanese sommelier Akira Mizuguchi, who helped the public get acquainted with the characteristics and nuances of a product that is the symbol of the excellence of Piedmont's wines.

In his welcome address, Piedmont Governor Alberto Cirio highlighted the connection between wine and the territory's roots.

"It is an honour to bring to Japan one of our most precious treasures, the spumante Alta Langa DOCG", he said.

Cirio explained how this product "is born on extraordinary hills, those of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, which UNESCO has recognized as a world heritage" site and how "Japanese tourists already know and appreciate the beauty of our landscapes, cuisine and wines".

With this initiative, concluded Cirio, "we want to invite them to discover Piedmont in person, in all its nuances, starting with what a glass of Alta Langa is able to tell".

Trade, Agriculture and Food Councillor Paolo Bongioanni highlighted the strategic importance of the operation.

"We are starting here in Osaka to promote Alta Langa, which is the wine of the year 2025 and represents the most ancient Italian spumante" sparkling wine "produced with the Classic Method", stated the councillor.

Bongioanni recalled that, "with over 3 million bottles, this is a product of excellence that only exports today 15%" of its production.

"We must make it grow and bring it to markets that recognize its value", he noted.

The "first step" taken in Osaka is the beginning of a "long journey", the councillor added, because "after wine, we will promote Piedmont's Fassona meat, which will soon meet Kobe beef in a great moment of dialogue, and then our rice and cheeses, the product of one of Italy's best milk and cheese industries".

And Piedmont today remains one of the world's wine capitals.

It is the first Italian region in terms of the number of certifications of quality and the second for the value of exports with 60 DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) and DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) wines and 88% of production with a DOP certification.

In 2024, exports topped 1.2 billion euros, with a 19% growth recorded over the past five years and 60% of Piedmont's wines sold on foreign markets.

Japan has also shown encouraging signs: +10% over the past year, in particular thanks to top red wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, which share the podium with the 'Super Tuscan' wines.

Alta Langa DOCG is the first Italian Classic Method wine, born in the mid-1800s in historic wine cellars, the "underground cathedrals" of Canelli, today a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Today, it boasts 480 hectares of vineyards and 296 winemakers, with 3.2 million bottles produced every year, 15% of which are sold abroad.

Alta Langa is always vintage and ages for at least 30 months on its lees in bottle.

Its white and rosé versions are characterised by complex, fresh and distinctly zesty aromas, characteristics that make it the ideal ambassador of a territory that has made wine its emblem in the world.

Source: General Commissioner’s Office of Italy for Expo 2025 Osaka