MONTALCINO BARS & WINE SHOPS

The bar is where you meet friends for a drink, pass a little time in conversation or playing cards. An Enoteca, or wine shop, is where you browse in a kind of wine library, tasting and purchasing wine.

In Montalcino, you’ll find more than a dozen Enoteca. Some of them may offer a free of charge tasting of Rosso di Montalcino, others offer a more learned degustazione – or guided wine tasting – of Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino at a cost per person.

Caffè Wine Bar "Alle Logge"
This most recent edition to our bars, is the result of a long, expensive and complete restoration of the predecessor, Bar Cacciatore.  Tamara and Sebastiano have transformed the bar into a light, airy, colorful meeting place including a non-smoking salon and tasting rooms.

Piazza del Popolo 1.  Tel:  0577 846186  Closed Wednesday

Bar Caffè Fiaschetteria

This is a historic café in Italy – and beyond. The first wine bar in Italy, it opened for business in 1888, and since then royal families, politicians, movie stars and artists have gravitated to it – and mixed with the locals who, not affected by celebrity status, discuss politics or play cards and talk  football. Luca, Lisetta and Arianna are among the fun loving Baristi  who will offer you a glass of wine, a campari, or the coffee of your choice. 

Piazza del Popolo 6. Tel. 0577 849 043. Closed Thursday.

Bar Mariuccia

Sitting in the rear veranda overlooking the stunning Valley of Orcia you can taste Angelo’s delicious bocconcini – little mouthfuls. He’ll be in the kitchen, wearing his baker’s cap with his hands in the dough making scrumptious pizza or yummy sweet treats to have with your cappuccino or glass of wine. 

Via Matteotti 31. Tel. 0577 848 248. Closed Monday.

Bar Caffè Fortezza

Jessica will prepare a plate of tasty prosciutto, cheese and salami to have with your bottle of Brunello on the gorgeous outdoor terrace up near the fortress. You’ll be tempted to linger for the whole afternoon – may be better to go in the morning for café and delicious brioche!  

Via della Liberta. Tel. 0577  847 200. Closed Monday.

Enoteca – Wine Shops

Enoteca Pierangioli
Alessandro speaks perfect English and ships orders to all corners of the World!   

From time to time you’ll find every member of the family pitching in to look after clients who are searching for a special vintage, or specific producer, of Brunello di Montalcino. An Enoteca carries a wide range of vintages produced by nearly 200 growers, so you need a little time to browse. 

Piazza del Popolo 16. Tel. 0577 849 113

Enoteca Fiaschetteria

The word ‘Fiaschetteria’ derives from the Italian ‘fiasco’, meaning flask – as in flask of wine! As well as being a Café of great renown in Italy, in the rear salon you’ll find a marvellous array of wines around the walls. Gianfranco’s excellent knowledge and experience will assist your selection.

Piazza del Popolo 6. Tel. 0577 849 043  Closed Thursday.

Enoteca Fortezza

To find this marvellous Enoteca you’ll need to go into the fortress keep, then to the main tower, and in this characteristic 13th century cantina Mario will be waiting to present your degustazione. You can be seated at inviting tables, slowly savour and explore the wines, and while Mario prepares your order, you can climb the tower and wander around the fortress battlements! 

Fortress of Montalcino. Tel. 0577 849211

My book about Montalcino,  Vanilla Beans & Brodo, weaves a story around the growing of this splendid wine.

www.vanilla-beans-and-brodo.com