Canada’s importance as a global market for high-quality Italian wines continues to grow.
For the first time in its more than 55-year history, Vinitaly, the world’s leading international trade fair dedicated to Italian wine, has arrived in Canada. Organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in collaboration with Veronafiere and Vinitaly, the event, which ran until today, brought together in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal the leading professionals of the Canadian wine industry, including buyers from provincial liquor distribution agencies, importers, wine agents, sommeliers, media representatives and industry stakeholders.
The launch of Vinitaly Canada reflects the country’s growing strategic importance for Italian wine, and recent import data further confirms Italy’s momentum. In the first four months of 2026, imports of Italian wine reached CAD 218.8 million, an increase of 10.3% compared with the same period in 2025. Italy’s market share rose from 23.45% to 27.01%, reducing the gap with market leader France by nearly 50%, to just CAD 23 million. “Bringing Vinitaly to Canada for the first time is a significant recognition of the country’s role as one of the most important and dynamic markets in the world for Italian wine,” said Italy’s Ambassador to Canada, Alessandro Cattaneo.
“Especially at a time when the wine sector requires particular attention, it is important to provide a structured follow-up to the working group requested by the government and by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The additional resources available to ITA therefore imply stronger promotional efforts and more development activities for the wine sector, also through Vinitaly, one of the industry’s most authoritative partners,” said ITA President Matteo Zoppas. “Italian wine has enormous export potential despite a period of slowdown, particularly in the United States, which must be offset through greater tools to support growth.”
Carlo Angelo Bocchi, Director of the ITA Office in Canada, emphasized that “the growth of premium Italian wines in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta confirms that consumers are increasingly seeking authenticity and excellence.” According to Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere and Vinitaly, “Canada has established itself as one of the most dynamic and promising international markets for Italian wine. The launch of Vinitaly Canada and the introduction of the VIA program represent an important step.”
