Where to drink natural wines in Florence? Let’s first discover a brief overview of Italian natural wine history.
INDEX:
- Overview on Italian Natural Wines
- Natural Wines in Florence
OVERVIEW ON ITALIAN NATURAL WINES
Throughout Italy’s history, wine has been crafted in an artisanal manner for over two millennia, employing methods now associated with what is known as natural wine (Hand-harvesting of indigenous grapes, spontaneous fermentation, minimal use of oenological additives, white wines in contact with the skins, amphorae, ancestral method sparkling wines).
The expression “natural wines” is a relatively recent concept, gaining popularity in the early 2000s to emphasize the difference between wines from large companies with industrial production and low-end mass production, which have become increasingly common in the market, and small companies that maintain an artisanal and traditional approach.
However, it’s important to note that in Italy, the average vineyard size is very small, about 5 acres, (in California, the average size is 82 acres, and in Australia, it’s 120 acres). Furthermore, in Italy, 80% of the grapes are harvested manually, (compared to 80% of mechanical harvesting in the USA and 75% of mechanical harvesting in Australia).
The significant number of small family-owned vineyard farms in Italy naturally leads to an artisanal approach to winemaking, both in the vineyard (through sustainable agriculture) and in the cellar (using few or no additives). Therefore, in Italy, the distinction between natural wines and conventional wines is often not as clear-cut as in other countries, as many companies traditionally follow artisanal methods without explicitly promoting them with the keyword “natural wines,” even if they could fulfill all the criteria.
However, in the early 2000s, the movement of so-called “natural wine” in Italy, a term previously used only by a few virtuous but solitary producers, began to gain coherence and organization.
As a result, associations, fairs, distributions, and specialized wine shops started to proliferate, along with numerous books and movies that gained fame, such as the counterculture magazine “Porthos” (1999) by Sandro Sangiorgi and the documentary on the globalization of wine “Mondovino” (2004) by Jonathan Nossiter.
Over the decades, the “natural wine” movement has gained increasing vigor and popularity, bringing about a radical change in how wine is perceived, not only in terms of taste but also from an ethical and political perspective.
NATURAL WINES IN FLORENCE
What are the best natural wine bars in Florence? Discover a list of the best natural wine bars, wine shops and restaurants to drink natural wine in Florence.
VINO AL VINO (Wine Bar & Wine Shop & Wine Tastings)
Among the best natural wine bars, Vino al Vino, the wine shop and wine bar in Via Borgo Ognissanti 70 R, a stone’s throw from Santa Maria Novella station, cannot be missing.
The welcoming and laid back wine bar & wine shop, led by its Italian-American patron Carmela Batacchi and natural wine expert Cosimo Giuntini, offers a refined selection that ranges from labels of up and coming boutique artisanal wineries, to iconic and famous labels of the natural wine scene in Italy. It is also possible to find a small but refined selection of french wines (jura & champagne mainly).
In the wine bar it is also possible to buy and ship bottles and it is great to have an aperitif with plates of artisanal italian, french, and british cheeses (one of the best selection in town) and cured meats embellished with original ngredients. With full rights among the best natural wine bars in Florence. It is also recommended the wine tasting option, that allows you to try several types of wines.
Borgo Ognissanti, 70R,
info@vinoalvinofirenze.com
Tel: 00390552670495
From Monday to Thursday 11am – 3pm / 4.30pm – 9pm
Friday & Sunday 11am – 3pm / 4.30pm – 11 pm
Sunday: 15 – 11 PM
ENOTECA SPONTANEA (Restaurant)
Among the best natural wine bars in Florence to consider Enoteca Spontanea in Via Maggio 61r, near Piazza Santo Spirito.
The structure, run by the expert sommelier Nicola and the chef Irene, is furnished in a welcoming vintage style and offers an interesting selection of natural wines, ranging from cult labels to niche products.
At Enoteca Spontanea it is also possible to have an aperitif with cheeses and cold cuts and eat the captivating dishes proposed by Irene. Tuscan cuisine with French echoes, imaginative and balanced. Handmade pasta available daily and vegetarian options. Surely among the best natural wine bars in Florence.
Via Maggio 61 R
055 049 8258
Open Monday to Saturday 17 – 23. Saturday also open for lunch 12-15.
CARDUCCIO - Il Salotto Bio (Bistrot)
Among the natural wine bars to consider Il Carduccio, in Via Sdrucciolo dei Pitti 10R, behind Piazza Pitti.
The bistro-style venue is made up of minimal furnishings with fruit and vegetable boxes on display and offers a small but refined selection of natural wine labels that change every week.
Vegetarian and vegan menu with organic and biodynamic products km 0 which also includes extracts, smoothies, soups, pastries and quiches. Among the best natural wine bars in Florence for those looking for vegan food.
Sdrucciolo de Pitti 10 / R
Info@carduccio.com
+ 39 0552382070
Open every day from 8.00 to 19.00. Sunday closing at 5pm.
CASA DEL VINO (Wine Store)
The historic ‘Casa del Vino’ in Via dell’Ariento, in the San Lorenzo district, should be considered among the natural wine bars of Florence
The restaurant led by Gianni and Nicoletta is a small rustic-style room where you can taste natural wines accompanied by platters of cheeses and cold cuts, stuffed focaccias and other typical Tuscan products.
055 215609
Open Tuesday to Sunday 17 – 01
www.casadelvino.it
VINERIA SONORA (Wine Bar)
To be taken into consideration among the natural wine bars in Florence Vineria Sonora, in Via degli Alfani 39 r, in the Sant’Ambrogio district.
The restaurant of the two owners Andrea and Laura consists of a very small and essential room with retro-style chairs and walls filled with bottles of wine and vinyl records. Dynamic natural wine selection that changes every week, and a small assortment of craft beers and spirits.
At Vineria Sonora it is possible to eat platters with organic meats and cheeses and 0 km and vegetarian options. The space also organizes various tastings with wine producers and musical evenings with DJs or small acoustic concerts. Deservedly among the best natural wine bars in Florence.
Mobile: 391 359 8658
Via degli Alfani, 39 r, 50121 Florence
Open Tuesday to Sunday 17 – 01
ENOTECA BRUNI (Fine dining Restaurant)
Among the best natural wine shops in Florence, Enoteca Bruni, in Via Borgo Ognissanti 25 Rosso, near Santa Maria Novella, cannot be missed.
The Bruni brothers’ restaurant and wine shop has an elegant minimal decor with walls covered with shelves of bottles. The kitchen is in a contemporary fine dining style and is divided into 3 menus (3, 5 and 7 courses) embellished with original combinations of natural wines.
The cellar has a very wide assortment, over 3000 exclusively natural wine labels, which include an exhaustive selection of iconic but also rare wines. Fully qualified among the best natural wine shops in Florence
Borgo Ognissanti, 25 R
+39 0553880177
Info@enotecabruni.it
Open from 7.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday – The Shop from 4pm to 7pm
What are the best natural wine bars in Florence?
What are the best natural wine bar and shop in Florence? Choosing is a difficult undertaking, which however inevitably is subject to the limits of a subjective opinion, which as such, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.
Therefore, we invite you to visit all the wine bars in Florence, so that you can independently discover and choose your favorite natural wine bars in Florence. If you have had the patience to read this far, thank you for your attention.
Cheers, Salute, Santé
Jean Marco Palmieri
