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Wine Windows Are the Best Way to Do a Tasting Tour of Florence

Florence Wine Food + Drink
by Matador Creators Feb 16, 2023

If you’re a wine lover planning a trip to Italy, you need to add the “wine windows” in Florence to your must-see list. There are many wine windows throughout the city, located in old Tuscan buildings, and they provide an interesting glimpse into the city’s history, culture, and tradition.

Wine windows are small, arched windows in the walls of some buildings in Florence, through which wine was sold during medieval times. There are several scattered throughout the city. One was built between 1549 and 1551 by architect Bernardo Buontalenti in order to provide wine to those living outside of the city walls who were not able to enter. Another was a place for wealthy families to buy large quantities of wine during periods of famine. The window featured in the video below is among the city’s most famous.

@foodwtf A must-do experience while in #Florence is ordering a glass of wine from the famous wine window 🍷📍Buchette del vino 🎥 @Italy_alfresco #italytravel #foodie #winelovers #foodtiktok ♬ Dolce Nonna – Wayne Jones & Amy Hayashi-Jones

Many of these windows are still functional today, although they have been updated with modern technology. Through them, locals and visitors can now purchase wines from various Italian wineries as well as craft beers and snacks such as Tuscan salami and cheese.

Enjoying a wine window is easy. All you have to do is walk up to the window, select your favorite bottle or two (or three) from their selection, pay for it using cash or card, and enjoy. The process is simple, and you’ll be participating in a historical tradition.

If you’re not familiar with Italian wines, visiting a wine window is also an excellent opportunity for learning more about them. The knowledgeable staff are usually more than happy to offer advice on what types of wine will pair best with certain dishes or occasions, and they can even suggest specific bottles that would be perfect for any occasion. Plus, since they source their wine directly from local wineries rather than through large retailers, they often feature exclusive bottles that can’t be found elsewhere.

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