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Just got back from Italy

104.60.189.213
Posted on October 11, 2018 at 18:24:42
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3048
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 And their wine prices are much more reasonable than ours. We had good whites for 12 to 15 euros in restaurants. Quality reds such as Brunello's for under 35 euros. Eating out in general was amazingly cheap compared to the US. No taxes and no tips on the check.

I "found" a new varietal in Umbria that I really enjoy, Sagrantino di Montefalco. Dense wine like a Zin, but with a different flavor profile. It is tannic so try to find one with at least five years on it.

 

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RE: Just got back from Italy, posted on October 15, 2018 at 08:18:52
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 803
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
 In Italy, as in much of europe, wine isn't considered a luxury but a staple. Restaurant wine prices reflect that. In American restaurants, too often alcohol is used as a profit center.
I wonder how Italian restaurants make enough to survive. Tables are rarely turned (at least in smaller towns) prices are reasonable and the staff is made up of lifers.

There are still very expensive wines to be sure, but the cost of land has already been taken care of decades or centuries ago...that probably helps keep costs down too.

 

Worked for me, posted on October 15, 2018 at 15:05:08
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3048
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 Some do charge you a sitting fee. But this is because Italians do sit for a long time. Still better than tipping and this way you never feel rushed.

I also got used to having bottled water with meals. They only charge $1.80-2.50 for a liter of still or sparkling water.

When we got to Paris I poked my head into a couple of wine shops. They're prices seemed higher than the US on Bordeaux and Burgundy. Restaurants were also high or you settled for lesser wines to stay affordable.

 

Ha!, posted on October 16, 2018 at 16:34:02
Inmate51
 I'll never forget the time I was in northern Italy, and stopped at a pharmacia to get a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. The wine was about $15. The ticket for the illegal left turn was about $40.

Still, it was a great bottle of wine.

 

Still trying to get over the Italian drivers., posted on October 17, 2018 at 07:32:29
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3048
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 Luckily I only had two near death experiences.

 

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