It would be hard to imagine a trip to Florence without taking advantage of the amazing selection of wine the city has to offer. Since Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region, you’ll find many wine bars in Florence serving local wines like Chianti Classico, Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino, Vernaccia and more. At these tiny enoteca, you can enjoy wines by the glass without having to eat a full meal; and in some cases you can enjoy a glass without having to sit down. This is a convenience worth taking advantage of. Here are my solid recommendations for wine bars in Florence.
FIVE WINE BARS IN FLORENCE
1. Cantinetta del Verrazzano (Via dei Tavolini 18-20r.) is one of Chianti’s best-known wine-producing estates just outside Greve. If you don’t have time to visit their winery, don’t miss the opportunity to drink a full-bodied Chianti in their Florence location. Inside, you will find a charmingly antiquated design of authentic wood paneling. This, along with a giant wood fired pizza oven, provides warmth to an already pleasant atmosphere. The quality of wine offered is only matched by the food. Patrons here have the option to sample items from the bakery along with their wine choices. Chianti is a wine meant to be enjoyed with food. All the more reason to indulge and order a piece of freshly baked zucchini blossom focaccia while sipping a glass filled with truly authentic Chianti.
2. Cantinetta Antinori (3 Palazzo Antinori) is truly fit for a king. It can be found inside a 15th century palazzo in Florence on the left bank. It has held residence there for some thirty years, surely a testament to its popularity. While reservations are usually necessary it is well worth the extra few minutes it takes to plan ahead because it would be impossible to only order a simple side dish. The dishes offered seem to rival the expansive selection of Tuscan wines. When ordering something such as bistecca fiorentina you can be sure all ingredients used are grown on actual Antinori farms. The servers here boast being able to speak almost all languages, so no need to worry if your Italian is a little rusty. This will certainly not get in the way of enjoying the fine wines and dishes offered.
3. Gianni Migliorini’s Casa del Vino (Via dell’Ariento, 16r.), is not located inside an ancient castle, but still holds a somewhat historic title. It is the oldest winery in the city and you can find it behind the open air market on Via dell’Ariento. Here you can grab a small bite of bruschette or even sample the family olive oil made in Tavernelle. This seems to be all that is necessary for his expansive collection of fine wines outshines any dining menu. It also lends him the title of having one of the best wine cellars in Florence, which is as popular with locals as it is tourists. Along with sampling a variety of wines here you might find yourself discovering your inner Hemingway while examining their collection of rare cognacs. This is a collection that is specifically unique to them and certainly makes it worth a visit.
4. Pitti Gola e Cantina (Piazza de’ Pitti, 16r.) is a more recent addition to the Florentine wine bar landscape. To some it could be considered a virtual wine museum. Inside patrons can view a beautiful structure which holds a large variety of wine. Bottles here serve as both their fare and decoration as they line the walls. You will find yourself surrounded with both possibilities for your wine selections and a colorful almost enchanting atmosphere. Along with this stunning inside view you can look out upon the street and enjoy views of the Pitti Palace. Though an order of authentic Italian white, red, and dessert wine can get a little pricey, it is not too upscale. You will find the bar formal, but welcoming. Finally any dining experience here is rounded out by the friendliness of the servers.
5. The oldest option, which has been open since 1875, removes the necessity of servers altogether. Here tucked away behind Piazza Signoria at Via de’ Cimatori, 38/r. you will find I Fratellini, which roughly translated means, the “younger brothers”. Only Tuscan wines are served across what is literally a bar, fit snuggly inside the doorjamb of a cellar. Charming in its evident simplicity, here you can find an affordable drink while never having to set foot inside. This is a rare convenience and one of only a few of its kind left in the city; a welcome site for travelers weary after a long day of walking through Florentine piazzas in search of the perfect glass of wine.
