On July 15, in the refined setting of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, the first educational event of House of Made in Italy, the cultural and promotional project that will transform Manhattan into a showcase of Italian excellence for a year, was held. Undisputed protagonists of the technical seminar: Italian PDO cheeses and wines, told and tasted in front of a select audience of more than 50 professionals including chefs, sommeliers, importers, restaurateurs and food and wine journalists.
An event organized by I Love Italian Food and the 100% Italian Institute, with the support of ITA – Italian Trade Agency, Coldiretti, Filiera Italia and Granterre. At the opening, institutional greetings set the tone for the day: speakers included Silvia Meloni for I Love Italian Food, Carmen Damiani-Hacker for the Columbus Citizens Foundation, Raimondo Lucariello, speaking for the ICE New York Office, and Luigi Scordamaglia, representing Coldiretti and Filiera Italia.
This was followed by the beating heart of the event: a technical-disclosing seminar that accompanied participants in discovering the value of PDO certifications – Protected Designation of Origin – synonymous with authenticity, traceability and deep ties to the territory. Through stories, guided tastings and educational materials, participants were able to get up close and personal with some of Italy’s excellent dairy products: Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Asiago Fresco and Piave Vecchio, each paired with a PDO wine selected to enhance its organoleptic characteristics.
Leading the lecture were two expert voices: Robert Campana, founder of the Stop Italian Sounding project, led the modules dedicated to cheeses, recounting their origins, production peculiarities and sensory characteristics; Paola Pavan, Italian Wine Ambassador and wine expert, on the other hand, guided the audience through wine tasting and discovering wine pairings.
At a time when tariffs between the United States and the European Union risk penalizing our most representative products, offering an educational opportunity like this means strengthening knowledge and awareness of true Made in Italy. Valuing the certified origin and quality of our products is today a strategic choice, as well as a cultural one.
Silvia Meloni, vice president of I Love Italian Food and coordinator of the 100% Italian Institute, said.
At the close of the seminar, a convivial moment allowed guests to learn more about the topics covered, taste products with new pairings, and compare notes with other practitioners in a relaxed and authentic atmosphere.
This appointment officially marks the beginning of the House of Made in Italy cultural program, a project that until July 2026 will animate New York with events, meetings and activities dedicated to the promotion of Italian culture-from food & wine to design, from fashion to sports-creating concrete bridges between Italy and the United States.
House of Made in Italy is a project of I Love Italian Food and Columbus Citizens Foundation, carried out under the patronage of Italian Trade Agency, with the support of Coldiretti and Filiera Italia.
Sponsors: Agriform, Mulino Caputo, Casa Modena, Ciao Il pomodoro di Napoli, Filicori Zecchini, Acetaia Giusti, Granterre, Lurisia, Monini, Parmareggio, Effeuno, The Newyorkese, Marino PR, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Istituto 100% Italiano.
The article Italian PDOs: House of Made in Italy celebrates local cheeses and wines comes from TheNewyorker.
