How to Drink Wine Like an Italian.

Wine drinking in Italy is more than a pastime; it is a ritual that blends seamlessly into everyday life. Italians approach wine with reverence for its cultural, historical, and gastronomic significance.  In Venice, the bacaro is a cornerstone of Venetian social and culinary life. These informal establishments are where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy small glasses of wine and small plates.

The wine selection in a bacaro emphasizes local varietals, particularly those from the Veneto region, such as Prosecco, Soave, Valpolicella, and Amarone, served in rustic “piccolo-size” glasses, sometimes poured directly from a jug or carafe into these small glasses.  Unlike stemmed wine glasses used in formal settings, these glasses embody a casual and communal approach to wine drinking.

In America, these glasses have become a symbol of authenticity and Italian culinary tradition. They are favored in informal settings, evoking the relaxed and approachable ethos of Italian food and drink culture.