The secret of how to buy wine like a local in Florence is going to a bulk wine shop. The bulk wine shops 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.

There are many bulk wine shops in Florence! Several of them sell numerous different local wine varietals. Here is a list of the shops that are nearest to the Old Town (Centro Storico):

Wine Lab

Address: Via Vincenzo Gioberti, 44, 50136 Firenze FI, Italy

Address: Via Taddea, 6, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Vigna Vittoria

Address: Piazza di S. Jacopino, 24/R, 50144 Firenze FI, Italy

Address: Borgo la Croce, 81r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Fuor di Porta

Address: Via Pisana, 29/r, 50143 Firenze FI, Italy

Check out the Florence Wine page for more information about wine shops in Florence.

The 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 Tuscany. 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.

• • Sangiovese
  • Canaiolo
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot

• • Trebbiano Toscana
  • Vernaccia
  • Vermentino

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

• • Rosso di Montalcino
  • Carmignano
  • Chianti
  • Rosso di Montepulciano
  • Bolgheri

• • Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

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!

Vino Divino and Fuor di Porta are conveniently located in the Centro Storico district. However, Wine Lab, Vigna Vittoria (one of our favorites), and Enoteca Alla Sosta Dei Papi should not be overlooked.

Please visit the Florence Wine pages for more information on Tuscan wines.