Wine Storyteller Veronica Rossi among the guests at the Star Chefs Dinner on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Reading and Conversation Club in Parma.

She is responsible for selecting the wines to pair with the evening’s menu and explaining them during dinner.

STAR is a regional charity project that combines fine dining with solidarity: a convivial celebration to unite and do good, conceived by Parma-based food blogger and undercover influencer Simon’s Food , in collaboration with Michela Paini , an event and conference organizer who previously volunteered in the children’s healthcare field. They are joined by a team of professionals from diverse fields, united by the same values.

The recipient of all proceeds from ticket sales will be the Noi per Loro Association , chaired by Nella Capretti , which for over forty years has represented a valuable and concrete point of reference for young people affected by oncological pathologies being treated at the Maggiore Hospital in Parma and for their families.

The event is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Parma Reading and Conversation Club , a treasure trove of history and beauty in the historic center. For the occasion, the club will open its doors to 200 guests for a dinner of double value: gourmet and human.

Local excellence will shine, featuring five Michelin-starred chefs and five Emilia-Romagna-based starred chefs . They will create a unique experience, opening with a welcome buffet and continuing with a five-course menu inspired by the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza —like the five points of a star—each created by a team of chefs. The evening will conclude on a sweet note with surprise creations by renowned pastry chef and TV personality Damiano Carrara .

Among the evening’s stars was Veronica Rossi , born in Parma, the cradle of good food, amid the scent of stewed anolini and the unmistakable aroma of Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s easy to see how food and wine are inextricably linked to her journey. With the joy of someone who has turned her passion into a profession, she describes herself as “gastro-curious” in the online and offline world, both for pleasure and for work. Her university education shaped her as a food technologist, but she quickly realized that communication and sharing would be her true bread and butter. She sought the necessary tools through training in professional critical tasting and digital communication, but found true learning and greatest enrichment in moments of sharing. With emotion and sensitivity, yet a bursting and inexhaustible curiosity, she navigates editorial plans, communication strategies, cooking, and fine sparkling wines.

She often blushes when asked, “What do you do?” because it’s naturally difficult for her to encapsulate a creative and multifaceted soul like hers in a single word.

“I consider myself a dreamer. I believe that human values are the foundation of true relationships, which create connections with tangible results. STAR is imbued with these values, which is why I’m proud to be a part of it, because it brings together people who, by being together, do good, and make people “FEEL GOOD”.”, she states.

In Star , Veronica will carefully choose the labels to match the proposed menu, narrating them during the evening of the event.

Tickets are available and can be purchased online on the official website: www.starchefsdinner.it

Star is being together, feeling good, being united, being at the table, because together we go much further.

INFORMATION & REFERENCES
For general information and ticket purchases:
www.starchefsdinner.it
Official social media channels:
Instagram and Facebook: @starchefsdinner – YouTube: StarChefsDinner
Contacts:
General information: info@starchefsdinner.it 📞 General information telephone number: 39 351 4285355
Sponsor: sponsor@starchefsdinner.it
Press Office: ufficiostampa@starchefsdinner.it

180 producers will be at the tasting tables. Insights, music, and food will be featured in the new edition of the event organized by the Natural Winegrowers’ Association.

From 11 to 13 April 2026, the Margraf showroom in Gambellara (Vicenza) will host the new edition of VinNatur Tasting, one of the key events for natural wine in Europe.

For three days, industry professionals and enthusiasts will be able to meet and discuss with 180 producers from six foreign countries —Albania, Austria, France, Germany, Slovenia, and Spain— and 19 Italian regions . Alongside tastings by the winemakers of VinNatur – Associazione Viticoltori Naturali, the 2026 program is enriched with guided masterclasses, meetings, and insights dedicated to the dialogue between natural wine and gastronomy .
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The program of meetings will open on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00 am with “Microbiological Alterations of Wine ,” a technical tasting curated by Food Micro Team . Agronomist Giacomo Buscioni and food technologist Damiano Barbato will lead a blind tasting of white wines specially modified to highlight the main organoleptic alterations of microbiological origin. At 1:30 pm, the focus will be on the relationship between wine and cuisine with Pairing? A Question of Style (Introduction to the Vinology Method) , a meeting led by Alessandro Torcoli , journalist, sommelier, editor, and director of the historic magazine Civiltà del bere . Addressing enthusiasts and the curious, Torcoli will present the book Vinology Pairings and illustrate the principles that guide the choice of food and wine pairings with four glasses and four dishes. It will also be possible to purchase autographed copies of the publication during the event.
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On Sunday, April 12th, at 2:00 p.m., attention will shift to one of Europe’s most fascinating wine regions with the masterclass “The Multiplicity of Alsace ,” led by Samuel Cogliati , author, popularizer, and founder of Possibilia Editore . Through a selection of representative labels, Cogliati will recount the extraordinary geological diversity of Alsace , highlighting how different soils can generate multiple and surprising interpretations, far beyond the most common image associated with great aromatic white wines. In addition to the winemakers’ stalls, VinNatur Tasting 2026 will also offer moments of entertainment and conviviality: on Saturday afternoon, there will be a live performance by the Ruggero Robin Trio , while on Sunday , a jam session will take place. of the Saxphonia quartet .
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Among the new features of the 2026 edition are Controcorrente Vermouth , a project that narrates the aromas and flavors of the Mediterranean through wines from small producers who work in harmony with nature; AVLA – Association Vins Libres d’Alsace , present with a shared tasting table; and The Terroirs Project , an initiative developed in collaboration with international winemakers to produce accessible and authentic wines. Also noteworthy are Saulty Chef , who transforms meat and fish using innovative kinetic salting techniques, and Amami Shochu , a Japanese spirit made from kokutō cane sugar and koji rice, produced exclusively on the Amami Islands. ScuolaLibera – Alla Nostra Portata , an association promoting Steiner pedagogy, has confirmed its participation for the second year. It will offer an exclusively vegetarian menu in the food area, which will also feature numerous artisanal businesses such as Fattoria Valli Unite, La Casara, the Bolognese food truck Stappo e Sposto, Passion Cocoa, Torrefazione Giamaica, Birrificio Morgana, and Birrificio Agricolo Sorio.
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Tickets for the masterclasses and for admission to the event can be purchased on the official website. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Progetto Alepé , a non-profit organization that implements welfare and social solidarity projects for the residents of the city of the same name in southern Ivory Coast, as well as supporting the Association’s scientific research .

VinNatur Tasting in brief
When : Saturday, April 11, Sunday, April 12, and Monday, April 13, 2026
Where : Margraf Showroom | Via Torri di Confine – Gambellara (Vicenza)
Opening hours to the public : 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission : €30.00 for a day (€50.00 for two days) includes a tasting glass. Tickets can be purchased on-site, at the event entrance (cash, credit card, or debit card), or online. Accompanied minors do not pay admission and are not permitted to participate in tastings. Small pets are permitted.
Useful information for those arriving by train:
– A free shuttle bus service will be available to and from the San Bonifacio train station.
– On your return journey, we recommend arriving at the event entrance 30 minutes before your train departs.
Useful information for those arriving by car:
At the Montebello Vicentino toll booth exit (A4 Milan-Venice motorway), turn immediately right towards Verona. The Margraf showroom is on the right, 1.2 km along the SR11. There’s ample parking in front and it’s easily accessible.
Website: www.vinnatur.org/eventi/vinnatur-tasting-2026/

The program, created to showcase to the press, industry professionals, and enthusiasts two excellences that have refined and acquired complexity over the years, continues in Germany, France, and Italy.

Time isn’t just a measure of waiting: for the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and the Consortium for the Protection of Valpolicella Wines, it’s an integral part of quality.

Two products that are symbols of Italy’s agricultural and food heritage. As they evolve and mature, they not only maintain their characteristics intact but also acquire complexity, depth, and value.

This is the underlying theme of the second year of D’OPERA – Quality Heritage of Europe , the three-year program co-financed by the European Union dedicated to promoting Parmigiano Reggiano and Valpolicella wines. After a stop in Düsseldorf at ProWein —with an off-site walk-around tasting and two workshops at the fair at the Consorzio per la Tutela dei Vini Valpolicella stand, led by Claudia Stern (Vinum) and Bettina Meetz (trainer at the Accademia Parmigiano Reggiano)—the 2026 calendar continues with three events in France and Italy aimed at industry professionals, trade press, and enthusiasts, in collaboration with Signorvino.

On Tuesday, March 24 , at the Signorvino store on Place St. Michel in Paris , two masterclasses for the press and industry professionals, led by wine critic Gabrielle Vizzavona and Fabrice Gour , a consultant specializing in French market development for the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, and a walk-around tasting open to the public will explore the history, territories, and production methods of the two PDOs in an international context. The focus of the meeting will be the role of time as a distinctive element in the maturing of Parmigiano Reggiano, as well as in the evolution of Valpolicella wines.

On Wednesday, April 8th, at the Signorvino headquarters in Milan ‘s Garibaldi district, sommelier and wine communicator Adua Villa and taster and expert “battere” Alessandro Stocchi will guide professionals and the press on a sensory journey through five wines and three different ages in each workshop. The first session is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and will be accompanied by a dish prepared by the Signorvino kitchen; the second session will be held at 3:30 p.m.

“Parmigiano Reggiano has developed one of its distinctive characteristics over time, through the maturing process that defines its aromas and structure,” says Nicola Bertinelli , President of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium. “Pairing it with Valpolicella wines allows us to convey the value of the PDO designations and the unique connection with their territories of origin to an ever-wider audience.”

The tour will conclude on Tuesday, June 9th in Rome , at the new Signorvino venue in the historic center, with a format reminiscent of the Milanese one: two workshops, at 11:30 am and 5:30 pm, dedicated to exploring the aging and pairings of Parmigiano Reggiano and Valpolicella wines. From 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, a walk-around tasting, also open to the public, will offer the opportunity to experience firsthand how time contributes to the sensory richness and complexity of both these excellent products. Registration is available at the following link: www.eventbrite.it/e/dopera-a-roma-vini-della-valpo​licel​la-pa​rmigi​ano-r​eggia​no-ti​ckets​-1984​56322​5029.

“The second year of the D’OPERA project represents an important step in consolidating the dialogue on two iconic products of the Italian appellations,” says Christian Marchesini , President of the Consortium for the Protection of Valpolicella Wines. “The 2026 meetings will focus on the value of time, an element shared by our wines and Parmigiano Reggiano .”

D’OPERA is a three-year program co-financed by the European Union that aims to increase awareness of Valpolicella wines and Parmigiano Reggiano through training activities, tastings, and informational events, highlighting the region, production methods, and certified quality.

Monforte d’Alba, Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th Fashion Venue – Palazzo Martinengo.

The Great Terroirs of Barolo are back, the initiative created by Go Wine and now in its seventeenth edition , scheduled for Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March 2026 in Monforte d’Alba , one of the most important centres of the Barolo Langa.

The event will once again be held in the elegant rooms of Palazzo Martinengo – Moda Venue (Via Cavour, 10), in the historic center of the town.

The event confirms and strengthens its distinctive character: an opportunity to learn more about Barolo and its territory , with the Additional Geographical Indications (MGA) at its centre, to tell – through tasting – the different souls of the denomination.

A journey that highlights wineries that produce Barolo under multiple labels, expressing different crus, sites, and parts of the territory , extolling the soul and uniqueness of Nebbiolo and interpreting its diversity as a richness that invites a deeper understanding of the greatness of this wine.

A TARGETED EVENT, BETWEEN TASTING AND TERRITORY

The 2026 edition is intended as a sort of preview of the new vintage in the area , maintaining a tried and tested formula that in recent editions has seen growing participation and interest.

A targeted and, in its own way, exclusive event, which aims to:

• communicate the peculiarities of the different crus
• to make tasters and the public reflect on the importance of the land-territory factor
• enhance direct meetings with producers
• Invite experts and wine enthusiasts to spend a weekend in the Langhe, enjoying tastings, winery visits, and exploring the region.

HERE IS A FIRST LIST OF THE WINERIES

PROTAGONISTS OF THE EVENT

(updates in the next few days)

ANNA MARIA ABBONA – Farigliano

BOASSO – Serralunga d’Alba SILVANO BOLMIDA – Monforte d’Alba CASCINA CHICCO – Canale FORTEMASSO – Monforte d’Alba

LA BIOCA – Monforte d’Alba L”ASTEMIA – Barolo MANZONE GIAN PAOLO – Serralunga d’Alba PALLADINO – Serralunga d’Alba PIAZZO COMM. ARMANDO – Alba

PORRO GUIDO – Serralunga d’Alba

REVA – Monforte d’Alba

REVERDIT – La Morra

SAN BIAGIO – La Morra SORDO GIOVANNI Agricultural Company – Castiglione Falletto

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Consortium is the special guest of the event.

The Consortium of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano will be the special guest of I Grandi Terroir del Barolo, with a special focus on the recently established Pievi project.

The historical study of the geology and geography of the area led to the identification of 12 zones, defined in the UGA (Additional Geographic Units) production specification, the same ones prefixed on the label with the mention “Pieve”.

A theme that will naturally dialogue with the Additional Geographical Mentions of Barolo: in Montepulciano too, the story of wine passes through an increasingly precise interpretation of the territory’s diverse identities.

During the event, a selection of wines representative of the various Pievi will be offered, offering the public an interesting comparison between two great Italian appellations united by the desire to place the territory at the center as a distinctive element.

THE PROGRAM

• Tasting tables and meetings with the wineries. A first list will be in the next newsletter.
• In-depth Masterclass , also on previous vintages A Master on Barolo (Saturday 28 March), with lessons, thematic itineraries and tastings
• Winery visits and accommodation options in the area
• Food and wine pairings in local restaurants

This edition will also see the introduction, on an experimental basis, of a small shop dedicated to “I Grandi Terroir del Barolo” , which will allow the public to purchase a selection of Barolos tasted during the event.