Aperitivo, the Italian ritual of a light drink and a few small bites to mark the close of the day, is enjoying renewed attention around the world. At Italian Aperitif Week 2026 in New York this June, Prosecco DOC served as the headline partner while venues across the city presented their own takes on the tradition. (Source: All About Italy)
The word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire, "to open." It opens the appetite, and it opens the evening. A relaxed glass at dusk after work, where the conversation matters more than the food. That is the spirit of it.
Our View
Honestly, aperitivo does not call for a "special" wine. What matters is that the bottle is easy to open and that it never gets in the way of the food or the conversation. In that sense, Japan already has a version of this culture: the first glass alongside an otoshi, the quiet drink at home. Aperitivo is simply that, enjoyed with a slightly Italian accent.
Our recommendations are, as ever, Prosecco and Pinot Grigio. Chill them well, pour a glass, and the mood at the table shifts. They sit happily next to prosciutto, olives, and light cheeses, and just as naturally next to Japanese starters like tempura or sashimi. These are not wines for projecting prestige. They are wines for making an ordinary evening a little richer. That, to us, is what aperitivo is really about.
This weekend, start with one bottle. Do not overthink it; just pour a glass and begin.
The Wines
Browse our sparkling and white selection here. Please drink responsibly.
