Lagos has always been a city of high-octane energy and unapologetic luxury, but on January 27th, 2026, the atmosphere at The Civic Centre in Victoria Island felt uniquely… effervescent. As Gambero Rosso made its historic Nigerian debut with the Top Italian Wines Roadshow, it became clear that the occasion wasn’t just a tasting event; it was a diplomatic and cultural coronation. Italy’s leading food and wine authority didn’t just bring bottles; they brought a legacy. And Lagos, a city that thrives on being first, was the perfect stage for the Roadshow’s first-ever foray into West Africa.
Consorzio Vino Chianti Makes Its First Official Visit to Africa
The headline act of the day was undoubtedly the Consorzio Vino Chianti. Making their inaugural official visit to the continent, the delegation arrived with 13 wineries and a staggering 30 Chianti DOCG labels. To see the red-stained glasses clinking against the backdrop of the Lagos lagoon was to witness a market maturing in real time.
“This is a true debut for us,” noted Giovanni Busi, President of the Consorzio Vino Chianti. “Nigeria represents one of the most exciting and promising markets in Africa. It is young, dynamic, and increasingly sophisticated in its taste for quality wines. We see strong potential for Chianti to grow here in the coming years.”
The sentiment was shared by the diplomatic corps. Roberto Mengoni, Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, offered a brilliant metaphor for the local climate: “Nigeria’s economy is like a sparkling wine – very effervescent. The economy is dynamic, the middle class is growing, and entrepreneurship is natural here. There is a strong foundation for trade and long-term partnerships.”
A Masterclass in Sophistication
While the walkaround tastings provided the glamour, the masterclasses provided the soul. Marco Sabellico, the legendary Editor of Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia guide, led sessions that went beyond the “how-to” of drinking, diving instead into the “why” of Italian excellence.
What made these sessions truly resonate was the fusion of international authority with local expertise. Sabellico was joined by Victoria Mulu-Munywoki, the powerhouse wine consultant and judge, and Folakemi Alli-Balogun, the founder of The Wine Club Lagos. Together, they translated the nuances of Italian terroir for a Nigerian palate that is increasingly discerning, affluent, and global.
| Role | Name/Entity | Key Contribution |
| Special Guest | Consorzio Vino Chianti | 30 DOCG labels marking their African debut. |
| Education Lead | Marco Sabellico | Editorial authority from Gambero Rosso. |
| Local Advocates | V. Mulu-Munywoki & F. Alli-Balogun | Bridging the gap between Italian craft and African business. |
| Cultural Anchor | Ambassador Roberto Mengoni | Framing Lagos as the trendsetter for the continent. |
Why Lagos Was the Strategic Choice for Gambero Rosso’s West Africa Expansion
Why Lagos? Why now? The answer lies in the city’s role as the heartbeat of African pop culture. As Ambassador Mengoni so astutely observed, “You cannot ignore a country of more than 230 million people – it is one of the big economic players on this continent. Nigerians, especially in Lagos, are the trendsetters for the rest of Africa in terms of music, cinema, and art, and being present in Nigeria means influencing trends across the continent, including with wine.”
The Gambero Rosso Lagos Roadshow also saw the presentation of the Top Italian Restaurants Awards, a crucial nod to the local hospitality sector that has worked tirelessly to curate world-class dining experiences in Nigeria.
And by the time the last cork was pulled, the message was clear: Nigeria is not just a market that needs to be “explored”; it is a strategic partner that needs to be championed. Gambero Rosso has not only discovered a new audience in Lagos; they have discovered a community of connoisseurs ready to take the continent into a new era of wine appreciation. With almost four decades of authority in the business of food and wine, the brand knows a thing or two about timing. Selecting Lagos as the destination for their first roadshow of 2026 and their first in West Africa was a statement of their confidence in Nigeria’s place in the global conversation.
