Il Gusto e l'Uva Florence

You wouldn't know the name of this place in Florence by looking at the signage. In fact, I have only now discovered its name after coming here for more than two years. All that is written in the window is "Pizza & Wine," and that is exactly what it is.

It is simple in its mission: a vino sfuso with a few tables; however, the possibilities for how to enjoy this place are many. You can stop by on your way home from work and fill up a bottle of Barbera to-go (my personal favorite) or you can meet a friend and try a few different glasses over a made-to-order pizza. In fact, I don't believe they have a pizza menu so much as a policy of "what do you feel like?," which is actually quite rare in Italy.

If you just come for a drink, they will still offer you peanuts or taragli to accompany the wine, which will sustain you when you have the desire for "just one more glass." I have learned more about wine from going to this place than I have anywhere else in Florence. Their selection is simple, but always changing, as they source from small, local, and often organic wine-producers, but none of this is announced. You learn this by lingering at the counter, and asking the owner, Francesco, what he can suggest.