Italy is reviving a trend that was made popular during the Black Death. The tradition involves ‘wine windows’, where wineries and shops are able to serve customers without coming into contact with them.
During the 1600s, these windows became popular in Tuscany, according to Matador Network. Essentially, they are holes in the wall where wine and other consumables are passed from inside an establishment to the outside.
There are around 150 windows within Florence and restaurants are making the most of this tiny space and reopening them. Wine, coffees, ice creams, sandwiches and other eateries are taking advantage of their centuries-old wine windows, according to Window Association’s website.
‘Everyone is confined to home for two months and then the government permits a gradual reopening. During this time, some enterprising Florentine Wine Window owners have turned back the clock and are using their Wine Windows to dispense glasses of wine, cups of coffee, drinks, sandwiches and ice cream — all germ-free, contactless!’ said the website.
‘In Florence, both guided tours and “hole hunts” have been launched on different routes in the historic center, and on several occasions we have held meetings and “conferences” on the subject, guests of other cultural associations or bookshops.
‘After the re-edition of Massimo Casprini’s book “I finestrini del vino”, with the contribution of the Cassa di Risparmio Foundation we have created a paper map of the small holes in the historic center of Florence and we continue, with the authorization of the Superintendency, to affix plaques signage in agreement with the owners of holes,’ said Matteo Faglia, President of the Buchette del Vino Association.
For a full list of Wine Windows, visit the Buchette del Vino website here.
Image credit: Facebook/ Buchette del Vino
