There are few rituals more quintessentially Canadian than gathering at the dock as the sun begins to dip below the trees. Someone brings out a board, someone opens something cold, conversations slow, and suddenly there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.This summer, that familiar cottage rhythm is getting an Italian accent.
Peroni Nastro Azzurro is tapping into the growing appeal of aperitivo hour — Italy’s beloved pre-dinner ritual built around good company, light bites and an unhurried pace — and giving it a distinctly Canadian setting: the dock.
At a recent media preview, the brand unveiled its playful Peroni Aperitivo Chair, a custom Muskoka chair complete with a built-in beer holder and removable serving board designed for dockside snacking. While only a limited number of chairs will be available through special promotions, the idea captures why aperitivo feels so right for Canadian summer entertaining. It’s relaxed, social and centred around a few good things shared outdoors.
The chair may be the conversation starter, but the ritual is what resonates. Aperitivo isn’t about elaborate hosting. It’s about creating a small, intentional pause before dinner: a cold drink, a few thoughtfully chosen snacks and friends gathered outside.
According to Toronto cheese expert Afrim Pristine, certified cheese master and co-owner of Cheese Boutique, the best aperitivo boards aren’t about excess—they’re about balance. Rather than piling on dozens of ingredients, he recommends choosing a handful of exceptional ones that offer a variety of flavours and textures. Think silky Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, creamy burrata or fresh mozzarella, Castelvetrano olives, roasted Marcona almonds, grilled focaccia and ripe seasonal fruit such as peaches or grapes. The goal is a spread that’s designed for grazing, encouraging conversation rather than stealing the spotlight.
Aperitivo is less about entertaining guests than it is about creating a daily pause — a chance to unwind before dinner, reconnect with family or simply enjoy a quiet moment by the water. That philosophy feels especially relevant during cottage season, when the best memories are rarely planned: the spontaneous swim before dinner, the extra hour spent watching the sunset, the impromptu gathering that starts with one drink and ends long after the stars appear.
Italian style has always been about finding beauty in everyday rituals, and Peroni brings that spirit to the Canadian summer with ease. Crisp, refreshing and unmistakably Italian, it feels right at home beside a wooden dock, a well-stocked snack board and a spectacular lake view.
Because while we may not all have a Peroni Aperitivo Chair, we can all embrace what it represents: taking time to savour summer, one perfectly chilled beer at a time.
