Kazakhstan drinks… Italian!

Inside the elegant halls of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, 50 Italian producers uncorked their finest labels for industry professionals, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and wine enthusiasts who filled the rooms from 1 PM to 6:30 PM. Italian wine is gaining immense popularity in this Asian republic, which is experiencing a remarkable period of economic growth.

Almaty today is no longer the capital, which is now Astana, but it remains the most important economic center of the country. Its natural riches are the propellant of a dynamic economy that attracts capital and professionals from all over the East, from Russia and from the neighboring republics. The city is growing, the restaurant industry is growing and obviously the demand for wines, especially Italian ones, is growing. The number of new restaurant openings is on the rise, many of which proudly feature Italian cuisine. Georgij Balandin of the Kazahstan Beer Company, one of the country’s largest importers: «Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage, but wine is growing a lot. 19 million inhabitants, but two million of these are potential consumers. We need to move consumers from vodka and spirits to wine. Events like these are essential! ». We ask him about the tastes of Kazakh consumers: «Local cuisine is very delicate, most of the recipes are based on boiling or steaming, so we have mostly soft, delicate flavors. That’s why whites, Prosecco and light reds are popular. The great reds are for a more sophisticated audience that frequents other cuisines and is familiar with intense flavors, grilled meats, spices… In short, the success of Italian cuisine is incredibly helping this growth, also fueled by online sales that make everything, even premium wines, more easily accessible. And tourism is growing, especially from Russia, and this is important for the sector, as is the education of professionals and consumers. Events like today's are essential. And this is also confirmed by Mashan, sommelier of the "neo-nomad" restaurant Auyl, on the mountain, a few kilometers from Almaty, where the setting of a yurt has been reconstructed with contemporary glam and the cuisine is refined but also traditional. With an excellent wine list, compiled by colleague Dzhuliya Lomtiva. In short, Central Asia risks becoming a trend... We were fascinated!

Among the highlights of the day was the award ceremony for Italian restaurants listed in the Top Italian Restaurants in the World Guide, welcoming an impressive seven new entries that bring the total to 13 establishments. The event also featured three packed masterclasses led by Marco Sabellico, curator of the Vini d’Italia guide. The special Corner dedicated to the Prosecco Doc Consortium drew a lively crowd, showcasing the participation of companies like Ruggeri, Villa Sandi, Val d’Oca, Ponte, and Riunite & Civ. This year, the Villa Sandi Award for Best Contemporary Wine List went to Capriccio, a delightful restaurant serving traditional Italian specialties and boasting an exquisitely curated wine list focused on Italy. The other restaurants in the Guide are Prosecco, Korkem Gourmet, Agorà, Nova, Del Papa, Fellini, Blanca Bistrot, Giardino, Extra Virgin, Percorso, Amici and the classic Villa dei Fiori. The main sponsor of the event was the excellent mineral water Smeraldina, recognized as one of the best in the world.

New Frontiers for Prosecco DOC: Kazakhstan embraces Italy’s

The world’s most beloved Italian sparkling wine, Prosecco DOC, continues to expand its global footprint, reaffirming its status as a true ambassador of Made in Italy excellence.

The initiative, promoted by Gambero Rosso and the Consortium for the Protection of Prosecco DOC, offered a unique opportunity to share with an international audience the story, values, and winemaking culture that have made Prosecco DOC a globally recognized symbol of Italian craftsmanship.

Journalist Marco Sabellico and Consortium representative Arianna Pizzolato led an engaging and insightful presentation, exploring the deep connection to its native territory, the sustainability of its production chain, the wine’s signature aromatic balance, and its remarkable versatility at the table, tasting excellent wines from the wineries Cantine Riunite & Civ., Ruggeri, Val d’Oca, Villa Sandi and Viticoltori Ponte.

Prosecco DOC stands out not only as a successful wine but also as a true emblem of the Italian lifestyle-embodying conviviality, elegance, and accessible quality. Its universal appeal makes it equally at home at casual gatherings and exclusive events, garnering admiration in both established and emerging markets, as evidenced by the enthusiastic reception in Kazakhstan.

The high number of visitors to the Consortium’s dedicated space further reinforced Prosecco DOC’s international prestige and its growing role as a key storyteller of contemporary Made in Italy around the world.