Florence: A Look at Italy’s Wine-Business City? Part 2

The “buchette del vino”, or “wine windows”, are small wooden windows that were used for centuries to sell wine directly to customers in the street. These windows are often adorned with carvings and decorative designs, adding to the enchantment of the city of Florence. The “wine windows” are unique to Florence and are a symbol of the city’s wine culture.

We’ve chosen to take you to the restaurant Babae. The place is beautiful, and the simplicity of the menu takes nothing away from the deliciousness of the dishes.

Just want to have a glass? No problem — the wine window is there to oblige.

During our visit to that temple of wine that is Florence, we absolutely insisted on systematically tasting an Italian wine — and, while we were at it, a Tuscan one! As you can imagine, that wasn’t hard.

The owner of Babae recommended this young Grottaia. This wine is mainly made from Sangiovese grapes, a red variety typical of Tuscany, and may also contain other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. It gives off lovely aromas of spice and tobacco. A well-balanced tannic structure, combined with aromas of red fruit and spice, made it a perfect companion for our little midday break.

For the evening, we chose a restaurant right in the centre, near the famous Piazza del Duomo. The dishes are hearty and refined and, here again, it wasn’t hard to find a local wine. Agricola Toscana blows the codes apart — no doubt about it, we’re in the heart of Italy. Don’t hesitate to book through The Fork to enjoy a discount.

This time we chose a wine di Montalcino, produced in the Montalcino area — in Tuscany, of course! It’s made from the same grape as the famous Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese, but it’s generally lighter and more accessible to drink young. Terre d’Elle Grazie is a well-regarded producer of Rosso di Montalcino. The wine offers aromas of fresh red fruit, floral notes and a lively acidity. Its freshness is everywhere; just close your eyes and all of Italy comes to dazzle you through the whole length. It went wonderfully with our pasta and meats.

Florence is a real favourite; wine is a deciding factor for a tourism stay.
Florence is one of Italy’s most emblematic and culturally rich cities. It’s famous for its history, its architecture, its art and its cuisine.

Florence is home to Renaissance masterpieces, notably the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Vecchio. The city is brimming with museums, art galleries, artisan boutiques and picturesque markets, such as the leather market.

To round off the evening, let me share a good tip:

The Lion’s Fountain is anchored in a stunning neighbourhood, perfect for a little pick-me-up! This lively district is ideal for spending evenings full of life while marvelling at the shops and their masterful ceilings.