Lesson 5- I Vini
Module 2 · Al Ristorante
Il vino al ristorante
How to order wine without a sommelier degree — and what vino della casa actually means.
Italy produces more wine than any other country in the world. Walking into an Italian restaurant without knowing how to order wine is a missed opportunity. You don’t need to know the regions or the grape varieties — you need four phrases and one key concept: il vino della casa.
Il vino della casa / House wine
Every trattoria and most restaurants offer a vino della casa — house wine sold by the carafe or glass. It’s local, it’s affordable (€3–6 for a quartino), and it’s usually very good. This is what most Italians order. You don’t need to look at the wine list.
Come si ordina / How to order
un quarto
250ml carafe (also: un quartino)
mezzo litro
500ml carafe
un litro
1 litre carafe
Vino sfuso
Sfuso means loose or unbottled — wine sold from a barrel or tank, poured directly into a carafe. It’s the Italian equivalent of tap wine. Common in trattorias, cantinas, and enotecas. Cheap, local, and often excellent. Never be embarrassed to order it: “Un quarto di vino sfuso rosso, grazie.”
Wines worth knowing
Chianti red · Tuscany
The most recognised Italian red abroad. Dry, medium-bodied, goes with everything. If you don’t know what to order, order Chianti.
Barolo red · Piedmont
Called the king of Italian wines. Full-bodied, tannic, expensive. For special occasions or serious wine drinkers.
Primitivo red · Puglia
Rich, full, slightly jammy. From the heel of Italy’s boot. Pairs beautifully with grilled meat and pasta al ragù.
Pinot Grigio white · Veneto / Alto Adige
Light, crisp, dry. The most exported Italian white. Works well with fish, seafood, and light pasta dishes.
Vermentino white · Sardinia / Liguria
Aromatic, slightly saline, very fresh. Perfect with seafood. Less known outside Italy but worth asking for.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo rosé · Abruzzo
Italy’s finest rosé — deep cherry-pink, dry and structured. Far more serious than the pale Provençal style. Ask for it by name.
Ordering wine / Ordinare il vino
- Un quarto di vino della casa rosso. A small carafe of house red wine. (250ml)
- Mezzo litro di bianco, grazie. Half a litre of white, thank you.
- Una bottiglia di Chianti, per favore. A bottle of Chianti, please.
- Avete vino sfuso? Do you have wine by the carafe?
- Cosa consiglia con il pesce? What do you recommend with the fish?
- Un bicchiere di vino rosso. A glass of red wine.
- Posso vedere la carta dei vini? Can I see the wine list?
- È un vino locale? Is it a local wine?
The tasting ritual
When you order a bottle, the waiter will pour a small amount for you to taste before filling the glasses. This is not optional — it’s a check for faults, not a performance. Swirl gently, smell, taste, then nod or say “Va bene, grazie.” If something is wrong (unlikely but possible), say “Scusi, mi sembra un po’ difettoso.” A good restaurant will replace it without question.