Vino Sfuso Bologna: Buy Wine Like a Local

by Ryan | Jul 18, 2024

How Do Locals Buy Wine in Bologna?

If you’re interested in vino sfuso Bologna, congratulations! You’ve discovered the secret to buying wine like a local in Bologna, Italy. Vino sfuso or vini sfusi are bulk wine shops that sell quality wines by the liter at discount prices.

But, before you go, you need to know a couple of basic things about the local wines. We spent some time researching the local wines ahead of time. We’ve included a summary below.

Also, if you really want to do it like a local, you should take a bottle with you to get filled. An empty 1-liter water bottle is perfect. But don’t worry, if you don’t have a bottle, you can buy one at the wine shop. When you return for more, just bring your rinsed bottle, and they will refill it. It’s a great way to reduce your environmental impact.

Vino Sfuso Bologna

There are several bulk wine shops in Bologna! All of them sell numerous different local wine varietals. Here is a list of the shops that are most convenient to reach from the Old Town:

Vino Sfuso Bologna include Medulla Vini

Medulla Vini

Medulla Vini offers an extensive selection of bulk wines, perfect for those looking to stock up on quality wine at an affordable price.

Address: Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 18a, 40126 Bologna BO

Vinoteca in Bologna, Italy

Vinoteca

Vinoteca’s bulk wines are chosen from cellars that guarantee freshness and quality. The wines are young and drinkable but, at the same time, balanced and refined. The bulk wines are quality wines you can consume in the store or take home.

Address: Via Giuseppe Grabinski, 2d, 40122 Bologna BO

Il Vinaio

Address: Vittorio Veneto, 14/F, 40131 Bologna BO, Italy

Il Vinaio vino sfuso has many bulk wines including Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet, Rosato, Barbera, Lambrusco, Montù, Grechetto Gentile, Pignoletto, Prosit “Prosecco type”, Albana, and Chardonnay.

Vini Sfusi WineHouse

Address: Via Bellaria, 42B, 40139 Bologna BO, Italy

Vini Sfusi WineHouse sells quality bulk wines directly from genuine Italian vineyards. Prosecco, Franciacorta, Champagne, Amarone, Pignoletto, Passerina, Ribolla Gialla, Sangiovese, Lambrusco, Valpolicella, and Lagrein are just some of the names you can find in the shop.

Il Vino in Bottega

Address: Via S. Donato, 112/3c, 40127 Bologna BO, Italy

La Cantinetta Bologna

Address: Via Ferrarese, n. 18/E, 40128 Bologna BO, Italy

La Vineria Friulana Veneta

Address: Via Beniamino Gigli, 17/F, 40137 Bologna BO, Italy

Useful Information About Wines in Emilia–Romagna

Most bulk wine shops are primarily selling to locals. Because they are not part of the traditional tourist industry, the owners and employees do not always speak English. For this reason, it helps to know what you’re looking for when you go in. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t need to speak Italian, and you don’t need to be a sommelier, but you increase your chances of success with a bit of information.

The bulk wine shops have a wide variety of wines. Most are local wines from Emilia-Romagna. Importantly, bulk wines are often identified by the grape variety rather than the wine varietal. Consequently, it helps to know what grapes are used to produce the common wines.

If you get lucky, you might find bulk wines identified by the wine varietal. Here’s a list of the most common.

Check out the Bologna Wine page for more information about these grapes varieties and wine varietals.

Useful Italian words for Bulk Wine Shopping

Shopping at the local Italian bulk wine shop is not a tourist activity but a local activity. Our experience with the local bulk wine shop owners is that they sometimes speak limited English. Although we speak limited Italian, we have always been successful and left the shop carrying the type of wine we wanted.

Our experience has been universally positive, with everyone being extremely kind and patient. But, there are a few Italian words that will make it much easier:

    • Red Wine – Vino Rosso
    • White Wine – Vino Bianco
    • Semi-Sparking Wine – Frizzante
    • Dry – Secco
    • Sweet – Dolce
    • Bulk Wine– Vini Sfusi
    • One liter – Un litro
    • Two liters – Due litri
    • Bottle – bottiglia
    • Please – Per favore
    • Thank you very much – Grazie mille!

 

Map of Bulk Wine Shops in Bologna

Medulla Vini and Vinoteca are conveniently located in the historic district. Il Vinaio, Vini Sfusi WineHouse, Il Vino in Bottega, La Cantinetta Bologna, and La Vineria Friulana Veneta are located a little further away, but are worth a visit if you’re looking for a bargain.