Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the heart of the province of Belluno, is an integral part of the Prosecco Designation, and the Consortium has always proudly promoted initiatives taking place in the Pearl of the Dolomites, such as the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, for which Prosecco DOC is the Official Sparkling Wine. At the end of the last summer before the long-awaited event, Prosecco DOC has chosen to support two initiatives that best combine gastronomic excellence and sport with the local area.
The Queen of Taste
On 13rd September, Cortina will host the ninth edition of The Queen of Taste, the festival that celebrates mountain cuisine as an authentic excellence of the territory, promoting the encounter between the culinary tradition of Ampezzo and its most innovative reinterpretations in a fusion and contemporary key, which will once again receive the support of the Consortium this year.
The day will begin with a breakfast at high altitude at the Col Druscié Refuge, created by Master Pastry Chef Massimo Alverà, a member of the Chef Team Cortina, together with Master Pastry Chefs Francesco Ballico and Marco Battaglia.
Afterwards, Prosecco DOC will accompany guests to the aperitif prelude to the Cortina Chef Tour: a five-stage itinerant lunch among the enchanting landscapes of the Dolomites. The protagonists will be the chefs of the Chef Team Cortina – Luca Menardi, Federico Rovacchi, Nicola Bellodis, Carlo Festini Cucco, Graziano Prest, Luigi Dariz, Fabio Pompanin and Luigino Anzanello – accompanied by special guests.
Among them is Chef Enrico Bartolini, an icon of haute cuisine with 14 Michelin stars (first in Italy and second in the world), who will create the brand new “Piatto Cortina” for the occasion. A benchmark in Milanese cuisine with his three-star restaurant at MUDEC, Bartolini will use this new dish to tell the story of the two cities, united by creativity, excellence and, now, the Olympic spirit.
The grand finale is expected to take place at the prestigious Hotel Ancora, in the heart of Cortina.
The companies taking part in this initiative are: Brilla!, Cantine Maschio, Casa Vinicola Bosco Malera, Italian Wine Brands, La Marca, Le Rughe, Masottina, Ponte 1948, Serena Wines 1881 and Villa Sandi.
To take part, visit the website: https://thequeenoftaste.cortinaforus.it/eventi/
The Great Ride Milano – Cortina
The Consortium is a partner of The Great Ride Milano-Cortina, a cycling adventure currently taking place, covering over 530 km with 4,500 metres of elevation gain. A unique, non-competitive experience open to all, between the cities that will host the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The route has been designed to allow participants – around 1,500 – to set off from Milan, Verona or Treviso and reach the final stage in Cortina.
Along the route, cyclists have the opportunity to discover the Denomination’s territory and its food and wine excellences, with recommended stops at the Mionetto, Villa Sandi and Zonin wineries, ready to welcome sports enthusiasts with tastings, refreshments and overnight accommodation.
Special guests of Prosecco DOC are Pietro Francese, a cycling influencer, and three Benetton Rugby champions – Michele Lamaro, Manuel Tetaz Chaparro and Tiziano Pasquali – who will also be sharing their experiences on social media.
Prosecco DOC: ambassador of Italian territory and lifestyle
Through these events, the Prosecco DOC Consortium confirms its commitment to promoting the symbolic places of the Denomination and a model of genuine conviviality, emblematic of the Italian lifestyle. A journey that looks ahead to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, a unique opportunity to enhance the dialogue between territory and quality.
