A local taste

Perched on a stool in a small wine bar outside of the Pitti Palace in Firenze, I nibble at bread and olives as I gawk at the towering shelves of exquisite wine that rise high above my head. The walls curve on either side of me forming a tall arch that frame a large, colorful painting of a vineyard against the back wall of the small shop. Evening is just setting in, yet I still feel the heat radiating from the door as I wait to meet with the handsome 35 year-old Wine Bar owner, Manuele Giovanelli. I watch as he bustles around the shop attending to his many customers, in a constant smooth transition between English and Italian. As the last customer is served a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, he finally approaches me and nestles into the stool at my side.

Although I come prepared with a simple outline of structured questions, Manuele quickly opens up in an enthusiastic loose dialogue about his business, background, and customers. In little time, it is clear that Manuele holds a strong sense pride as the owner of this business. Despite the fact that he works demanding fourteen hour days, open to the public between the hours of noon and midnight, he states, “Energy is very important for a profitable business”, he says seriously, “It’s a job where I have to be very patient”, he admits with an exhausted smile. When asked about his favorite aspect of his line of work, he speaks with enthusiasm, “I love meeting people from around the world, and spreading joy and knowledge for wine, a fundamental aspect of the Italian culture.”

As we sit in the hot July air musing about various wines from across Italy that line his shelves, I fall deeper into the zest of this truly Italian experience. However don’t be intimidated by the shops authentic nature. Travelers from across the globe who happen to find themselves strolling in front of the Piazza Pitti are the most frequent customers of shop. As Manuele states, “Our customers are 80% Americans, often drawn in by the wine tastings which are offered throughout each day”.

Suddenly a group of three Irishmen pop their heads in through the tall glass door. With that, Manuele bids us goodbye with a kind hearted smile and hurries to seat his new customers. One thing is for certain; this is one American that will definitely be stopping by again in the near future.

To find Manuele’s Wine Bar, look for: Piazza Pitti, 16-50125 Firenze

At www.Pittigoalwinebar.com