Wine in Rome is not be hard to find, however there is a difference between wine and natural wine.
Natural wine simply means wine made by smaller producers, farmed organically and fermented with native yeast without additives. Basta.
Yes, you can get a glass of wine anywhere in the city, but these spots in particular offer more than just fermented grape juice. They offer a great atmosphere, friendly and knowledgable staff, and wine selections that support small producers from lesser known regions of Italy. Not to mention many of these places also serve delicious food that utilize local purveyors and craft artisan bread, cheese, salumi producers (the list goes on!)
Latteria Trastevere
@tanaschwarz
One of my favorite wine bars in Rome. There is no set menu or wines by the glass, but that is your cue to rely on the friendly, knowledgeable staff will bring you a wine that will surely hit the spot. They focus on small producers who are working to make natural wine with respect to the territory. They offer snacks and full meals that are made with ingridients from local artisans. Sit on the patio under the string lights and people watch as the piazza fills up!
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Ai Tre Scalini
@tanaschwarz
Great place to stop in for a glass of wine or a spritz right next to the Colosseum!
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Vinaietto - Old Winery
@tanaschwarz
Walking distance from the Pantheon! The perfect hole in the wall wine bar. This gem usually fills up early in the night, so do not be afraid to grab a glass and drink outside with the locals.
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Les Vignerons
@tanaschwarz
So technically a wine shop, but Antonio is has curated a store with some of the best natural wines and craft beers available in Europe. If you are staying at an Airbnb nearby, stop in and grab a few bottles of beer or wine to enjoy on the terrace of your apartment!
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La Mescita Monteverde
@tanaschwarz
This wine bar recently opened in the neighborhood of Monteverde, a set of stairs away from Trastevere! They offer a great selection of natural wines in a lively space! Walking distance from Gianicolo Hill, a hilltop with one of the best views of the city!
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Enoteca Bortone
@tanaschwarz
Hole-in-the-wall wine shop! While there is limited seating, it is situated on one of the prettiest streets in Rome, great for people watching! The restaurant across the road is also a great place for pasta!
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il cesaretto
@tanaschwarz
This is perfect place to stop in for glass or wine or spritz after an afternoon in the center! Walking distance from major attractions like Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese and Via del Corso (the main street for shopping). Sit outside to enjoy some people watching, but be aware of the cars that attempt to drive through the very narrow streets!
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Mostò
@tanaschwarz
Going to a Roma match? Checking out the Maxxi Museum? This wine bar is walking distance from both and is the perfect place to sit and wait out traffic! Beautiful curated selection of wine from Italy and France and the friendliest staff who will guide to the perfect glass!
This is residential neighborhood so if you're looking to see a different side of Rome, this is place to go!
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SOLOVINO Enoteca Naturale • Vineria Wine Bar • Natural Wines in Rome
@tanaschwarz
What doesn't Solovino do? They started as a wine shop, recently opened an attached wine bar which serves delicious natural wine all day, and they host one of the best natural wine fairs in Italy every year in the Spring. Located in the neighborhood of Prati this is a great stop after a day at the Vatican.
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Enoteca il Piccolo dal 1980
@tanaschwarz
Also right next to Piazza Navona! It may look like a tourist trap because it is on a busy street, but makes for all the best people watching. They have a great wine list and you can just ask the waiters for recommendations and they will lead you in the right direction!
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How to Order
In the US, wine is often ordered by brand name of name of the winery. In Rome, you often order by the grape variety. Trebbiano, Fiano, Malvasia etc., or the region, Barolo, Prosecco, Chianti etc.
White Wine (vino bianco)
Cortese - usually from Gavi (Northern Italy)
Malvasia - not always a sweet wine!
Carricante or Catarratto - both grapes from Sicily
Vermentino - great, simple, white wine
Pecorino - very common offering in bars for aperitivo
Red wine (vino rosso)
Sangiovese - the king of red grapes in Italy, as it grows almost everywhere
Cesanese - unique grape to the Lazio area (region where Rome is located)
Ciliegiolo - named after the word for cherry
Grignolino - light-bodied red wine form the North of Italy
Marigold Roma
@tanaschwarz
This mircobakery in the Ostiense neighborhood has everything you need in terms of artisan coffee, amazing food, delicious pastries made in house, and natural wines and craft beer to pair with brunch or lunch. This establishment does not take reservations and mind you, it has become very popular!
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Il Goccetto
@tanaschwarz
Staple wine bar in Rome. During the warmer months there is patio on the opposite side of the street, during the rainy months, it's a great spot to find refuge with a glass of red wine. They have a full deli counter with an assortment of snacks and small bites.
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Beppe and His Cheeses
@tanaschwarz
Not many places in Rome offer artisan salumi and cheese boards like this place. You can also purchase any food and/or wine to-go!
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Tibibbo - calici e amici
@tanaschwarz
Tucked away in the suburbs of Rome, Tibibbo is for those who want to make the search for natural wine an adventurous one. An easy taxi or bus ride to the Tor Marancia neighborhood will give you insight into how real Romans live. The friendliest staff and most of the wines by the glass were no more than 6 euro.
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oWine
@tanaschwarz
If you made the trip out to the suburbs you can visit two great places in one night! Owine is a small neighborhood place, but often hosts events for natural wine producers in Lazio. Follow them on Instagram to plan ahead!
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Lo Spritz
Let's talk about the spritz. One of my favorite beverages especially for aperitivo hour. I like to seek out alternatives to Campari and Aperol, the large bitter brands that line the shelves all over the city.
These are fun alternatives!
-Select
-Cappelletti Aperitivo
-Contratto Bitter
-Hugo Spritz (elderflower liquor, mint, sparkling wine, soda water)
My take on natural wine and the controversial definition can be read in detail here!
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