From Chianti Classico to wine courses, French Champagne to Alto Adige whites, Florence boasts a wine bar scene worth uncorking. Check out this guide to enoteche in the Tuscan city.
Signorvino
Perhaps you understand the minutia of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, but become lost in the grocery store’s Italian wine section? Confused about the flavors of Sangiovese, Barbera and Lambrusco? Signorvino’s School of Wine offers an Italia-centric tasting course over four months. One night each month stroll into the wine shop to improve your knowledge of reds and whites for 35 euro per night. Not to mention, Signorvino is easy to find: seek out a wine megastore up the Arno towards the San Niccolò neighbourhood from the Ponte Vecchio.
Via de’ Bardi 46R, Florence
www.signorvino.com
Le Volpi e L’Uva
photo by Emiko Davies www.emikodavies.com
Le Volpi e L’Uva’s clientele brims around a picturesque pint-sized venue in piazza dei Rossi—an ironic name given the enoteca’s mastery of reds (and whites and all things oenology). It’s the type of bar that requires reservations even on a Wednesday night, and it’s easy to see why. Our advice? Book lessons on a Monday or Tuesday night to blind taste eight to ten wines, sampling Italian classics and contemporaries for 30 to 45 euro per person. Emilio Monechi, Riccardo Comparini and Ciro Beligni are the taste buds behind this Florentine mainstay since 1992.
Piazza dei Rossi 1, Florence
www.levolpieluva.com
Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
‘No water, only wine’ is displayed on the window of this wine connoisseur haunt. Enjoy a glass of high-end, mostly Tuscan labels from niche producers while sitting opposite the Pitti Palace. Check out their primarily steak restaurant, Osteria dell’Enoteca, a short distance away in via Romana. www.pittigolaecantina.com / www.osteriadellenoteca.com
Piazza Pitti, 16, Florence
www.pittigolaecantina.com
Casa del Vino
Monday to Thursday, Casa del Vino opens its doors from 9:30am to 3:30pm, which may sound a bit strange for a wine bar. That’s because this isn’t your modern Italian drinkery. Instead it’s an old cultural phenomenon: wine for breakfast, wine with lunch, it’s a hangout for market stall holders and locals in the know. Owner Gianni Migliorini ranks wine over seats, and you can taste the difference. In fact, he’ll explain the difference if you ask. Low prices, high quality, Casa del Vino is a secret we’d prefer not to share. (Whoops!)
Via dell’Ariento 16r, Florence
www.casadelvino.it
SimBIOsi
Pizza and natural wine? Pasta and craft beer? SimBIOsi is the place for you with its organic ingredients and locally sourced culinary artisanship. You can’t go wrong amid this restaurant’s classic Tuscan bricks and contemporary Mad Hatter-esque furniture. Opt for Wednesday Organic Pizza night at this via de’ Ginori wonderland, while pasta lovers will gobble up the fontina and truffle pappardelle—order it on your last night in Florence for the happiest of memories.
Via de’ Ginori 56R, Florence
www.simbiosi.bio
La Divina Enoteca
La Divina Enoteca, tucked beneath one of San Lorenzo’s porticoes lined with leather wear, pours curated Italian labels at marble tables alongside library shelves of wine. The enoteca’s two sommeliers Livio Del Chiaro and Bianca Ciatti (Livio won Italian Sommelier of the Year in 2014 for the Federation of Sommeliers, Hoteliers and Restaurateurs – FISAR) pair charming wines with panini and tasting plates. The place vaunts a vintage vibe—a perfect expression of the market neighborhood that La Divina Enoteca inhabits.
Via Panicale 19R, Florence
www.ladivinaenoteca.it
Enoteca de’ Macci
Enoteca de’ Macci is famous for its Taco Tuesday nights and original takes on the Gin and Tonic and Spritz, but the wine list is top notch too. Matching mostly Italian wines with fusion food, this bijou bar is one to book beforehand. Just launched: Region by the Glass nights, an opportunity to take a tour of the country’s finest without leaving Florence. Taste three wines paired with tapas for 25 euro. Enoteca de’Macci is fast becoming a highlight of the Sant’Ambrogio area: cin cin to that!
Via Mino 8R, Florence
www.enotecademacci.it
L’Enoteca
Iran-born Sandro Soltani, of Caffè Sant’Ambrogio, recently took over the helm at Mercato Centrale Firenze’s L’Enoteca. Showcasing Italian and international labels, the wine bar provides the ultimate way to pore over world wines (the Champagne selection is extraordinary!) without ever leaving Florence. Located in a prime position at Florence’s foremost food court, snag a glass of vino bolstered with tapas aimed at bringing out the flavours and aromas in the wine. It’s also a super spot to invest in a few bottles and have them shipped to your door this holiday.
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Florence / www.mercatocentrale.it
The Florentine Wine Club
Join our club for relaxing evening events, wine dinner and tasting. Stay tuned for the next event by subscribing to our TF Wine Club Newsletter.
