In total, there are more than 150 wine windows throughout the walls of Florence.
So, Italy is trying something new during the current pandemic and it's got a dark history.
Centuries ago, the bubonic plague — the Black Death — had a ball sweeping through Europe, and ended up killing one-third of the continent’s population.
Much like what's happening now, people would crave stiff drinks and alcoholic beverages to help them deal with whatever it is they're dealing with. This is where "wine windows came into play during the Black Plague.
They were first introduced in the 1600s and now they're making a comeback in Firenze and Tuscany. The “wine windows” — or buchette del vino of Tuscany — are just as they sound. Someone sticks out their arm and delivers a glass of wine to you.
“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!” - Wine Window Association
When I first saw these windows I couldn't help but think of the angry dude in The Wizard of Oz. Hopefully, the people handing out the glasses of wine are much friendlier than him.
According to Matteo Faglia, president of the Wine Window Association, “People could knock on the little wooden shutters and have their bottles filled direct from the Antinori, Frescobaldi and Ricasoli families, who still produce some of Italy’s best-known wine today.”
In total, there are more than 150 wine windows throughout the walls of Florence, but some have been permanently filled with either wood or concrete.
By Matthew Sterner
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