Going to be in Italy next month, (Milan/Venice/Florence/Rome) are there any wine shops that are particularly notable/I should visit? (We won’t have time to do individual winery visits)
https://enotecacostantinipiero.it/#googtrans(it|en)
This shop in Rome is centrally located and has a great collection, including harder to find wines and sometimes back vintages.
Neat place, good service. Pricing was variable, but there were some bargains (relative to USA prices - I don’t know to compare them to other shops in Rome - I might guess they aren’t the cheapest place generally?).
Roscioli in Rome has opened up a wine-focused restaurant called Rimessa. Typically you order courses and they are matched with wines. It’s run by a couple, Alessandro and Lindsay, who really know their stuff and have strong opinions. Much of what they offer is not imported to the US, so there are discoveries to be had.
In Florence, I liked Enoteca Bonatti. Mostly current releases, however.
http://www.enotecabonatti.it/home_page_eng.htm
I’m sure there are good wine shops that sell older vintages, but I didn’t come across many. On the other hand, wineries seem to often have back vintages available.
I had a similar experience at Costantini, though years ago. Wonderful place to browse. Brought home a couple of tough finds.
If you’re willing to drive, it’s less than an hour from Florence to Lucca, I recommend Enoteca Vanni (http://www.enotecavanni.it). Looking through their underground cellar, I found many, many good/aged buys. Parking isn’t great in Lucca; but worth it.
In Florence hit the antinori wine bar in a hotel they own in the middle of town. Their wines by the glass are cheaper than by the bottle and you can drink Solaia inexpensively that way. I think it’s called antinori cantinetta or similar
How about Milan, while we’re add it – or, the Italian Lakes (Como)?
my two favorite wine shops in Florence are Flli Zanobini, which is RIGHT by the central market (a must visit for the downstairs at least for sure) and Enoteca Alessi’s downstairs (I didn’t really check the prices, but its just cool down there).
I really enjoyed the prix fix lunch at Enoteca Pitti Goal e Cantina as well.
Didn’t find anything I really was impressed by in Venice when I was there… but I also didn’t venture far away from the historic down of Venice.
It was 10+ years ago for me, but I agree that was a nice place and fun to get glasses of those wines at great prices.
small world, visiting this enoteca today as i usually find a thing or two here. Pricing in most shops in Firenze is high, and I have given up searching in that city. I arrived in Italia on 7 febb, departing 7 may - found a few special bottles so far, about the same as every year here.
In Milan you cannot miss Cantine Isola in Via Sarpi (Cantine Isola). The owners are great people: stop over there for an aperitivo in the evening and grab some wines to take with you. You will have a great time!
Rome:
Great wine bar. have lunch among thousands of bottles of wine. friendly helpful staff. by piazza popolo
by Campo di Fiori
https://www.spottedbylocals.com/rome/il-vinaietto/
have fun
Haven’t been there in a while, but for little known local wines and excellent sandwiches, I used to like this place by the Mercato: Casa del Vino Firenze; do you know it?