Greetings!

I know two places in Venice where I can bring my own empty bottle and have it filled with very inexpensive local wine (I also did this in St. Remy Provence). It was great to be among the locals who brought in empty jugs to be filled. For 1.5 liters of a local merlot, I paid only $2.35! I was able to enjoy the wine in my hotel room.

Does anyone know of locations in Florence and Bologna, as well as one close to La Calcina in Dorsoduro?

Thanks!

Monica

It has been a couple of years, but we went to one of these places in Campo San Margherita (? sp). And we were staying at La Calcina.

Thanks Ruff! I'll check the area out.

Monica

Monica, where did you go in St Remy for the wine? We will be there in Sept.

There are a few in Florence. I passed one several times which was near my hotel in Piazza della Signoria. It was closed for vacation in January so I did not go in, nor do I have the address but it looked wonderful; they sold their own olive oils as well as wine.

Just for future reference this can also be done at Gambino's winery in Sicily! Or you can buy a large 'jug' and refil it whenever you want!

Going to Sicily next month. Where is GAmbino's? Thanks.

Judyrem,

I just checked my journal http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com...journal02.html and see I didn't write the street name down. However, St Remy is small and I believe it was in the center of town where. From my memory, it was located in a piazza. I'm sure you'll be able to find it or just ask someone. You'll be able to see the large wine vats from the door entrance.

From my journal: "I found a little wine shop where one can bring in empty water bottles (or wine bottles) and have them filled with very inexpensive, tasty wine. The shop had 5 or 6 large vats of wine, with various types of wine. I purchased a liter of Cote du Rhone for 3.45 Euros, $3.19. This included the cost of purchasing an empty bottle. Had I brought my own in, it would have been 2.30 Euros."

Monica

It won't help in Florence or Bologna, but I found a similar shop in Lucca. There were 8 large stainless steel tanks, and they had handwritten labels marked Chianti, Montepulciano, sangiovese etc.

I bought a stoppered litre bottle (€0.75) and asked (in my very poor Italian) for red wine. She asked me which I would prefer, and I must have looked confused, because she poured me a half glass of each of the wines on disply to see which I liked the best.

As the most expensive wine from the tanks was €1.70 a litre, I thought I came away with a bargain (and it was very drinkable)

willit, I agree about the wine being very drinkable. That's what so great about these little wine shops and you certainly can't beat their prices.

Monica

Hi Monica. I'm curious about when you're going to Bologna. You were very helpful in our plans for Montepulciano last year.

We fly into Bologna at the start of our trip to Italy in June, but we will only stay one night before heading into the Le Marche region, then the Dolomites. If your trip is before that, I hope that you post something about your Bologna experience.

Hi jd_dallas, I arrive in Bolona on the 15th of May and will stay for 6 nights. Will do day trips via train to Parma, Ravenna and either Modena or Ferrara. You can email me after I return (25th) and ask questions, as it may take a while for me to post about my trip. [email protected]

Have a great time on your trip!

Monica

ekscrunchy, you mentioned you saw one near your hotel. Which hotel did you stay in?

Monica

Monica, that was a wonderful trip report! Thanks for the link...I am looking forward to filling our bottles with Cotes du Rhone wine !!!! What a great concept!

Sorry, Monica. We stayed at In Piazza della Signoria B&B on the piazza. We passed that wine place a few times while coming from either the Duomo or St. Trinita area. It was closed but they had the prices posted on a hand-lettered sign outside and they were very cheap, espeically if you brought your own bottle. I am thinking something like one euro for 1.5 liters (2 bottles in the US). I wonder if the proper name for these places is "fiaschetteria?" I think that once you get to Florence, anyone will be able to direct you to this place. It seemed to me that it was connected with a winery in Tuscany and they sold regular labeled bottles and food products there as well. If you find it, let us know, please! Have fun!

Glad you enjoyed my journal!

I'll be sure to post on Fodors ALL the wine shops I spot, even if I don't purchase from all of them!

Monica

DRJ-

Directions to Gambino Winery Sicily:
From Catania. Take the A18 Towards Messina. Take the exit for FIUMEFREDDO and follow the signs to LINGUAGLOSSA. About 1 km after the cemetery, turn onto via G. Matteotti, keep following the signs for ZAFFERANA ETNA. Upon reaching ZAFFERANA ETNA, follow signs to MILO. Pass trhough FORNAZZO and take the road to LINGUAGLOSSA. Follow the road for 12km until you see the sign for the Gambino Azienda Agricola.

www.agricolagambino.it

The winery is also not too far from Taormina. They will serve some good antipasti, so don't eat too much at lunch if you plan on going after- like I did!

In somewhat the same area is the TORREPALINO WINERY. The directions I have read; From LINGUAGLOSSA go towards RANDAZZO around 11 km.

I would get a map and check it out. The drive is nice to both wineries. I have been to both, but on different days.