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Monday 10 August 2020

'Wine Windows Are Back'

Hannah Sparks writes:

"Medieval ‘wine windows’ are reopening, reviving Italian plague tradition ! It’s a quaint tradition — with a very dark history.



Centuries ago, the bubonic plague, otherwise known as the Black Death, swept through Europe, killing one-third of the continent’s population at the time. Originating in Asia, the disease made its way to Italy during the late Middle Ages, and spread north from there.

These days, we know just as well as medieval Italians that a stiff drink can go a long way to ease troubles during the global coronavirus pandemic.

Thus, the “wine windows,” or buchette del vino, of Tuscany. They are just as they sound: pint-size hatches, carved into the concrete walls of urban wineries and shops, where beverage merchants would serve sips at a safe social distance.

First introduced in the 1600s, their true purpose went untapped for centuries after the plague — that is, until a new one came along this year.

“Everyone is confined to home for two months and then the government permits a gradual reopening,” the Wine Window Association website reads. “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!”


Matteo Faglia, president of the Wine Window Association, told Insider, “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.”


More than 150 wine windows — some of which have since been permanently filled — within Florence’s walled city, and even more, dotted the Tuscan region.

“The wine windows gradually became defunct, and many wooden ones were permanently lost in the floods of 1966,” said Faglia, whose historical association has begun the process of mapping these forgotten, and sometimes vandalized, relics throughout Italy’s wine country, marking them with a plaque to designate their import and authenticity.

“We want to put a plaque by all the wine windows, as people tend to respect them more when they understand what they are and their history,” he said.


The Mediterranean country was hit hard by COVID-19, losing more than 35,000 of its residents, according to the World Health Organization. In spite of this tragedy, the world has witnessed the culture and camaraderie that likely helped the country through the medieval epidemic.

At the height of their national coronavirus outbreak, choruses of Italians could be heard singing in solidarity through open windows and on rooftops — with a glass of wine in hand all the while."


Above words and pictures from article here
h/t Marks Daily Apple here

Covid 19 is still very much here, and we are all having to adjust to 'a new normal'. So, whether you may enjoy a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, a glass of water. Whatever your beverage to help you relax do please continue to take care, and if you have any tips that you have found helps cope with these times do please share them in the comments.

in the meantime some flowers for you to enjoy

Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, cartoons, music and recipes! However, not all the recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

26 comments:

Shilpa said...

Thanks for the flowers . Great post

Fun60 said...

I came across one of these windows in London. It was not for wine but gin. It is inside one of the doorways close to St Bride's church, Fleet Street if anyone is interested. The flowers are beautiful. A good way to make someone smile would be to give them flowers for no other reason than you just wanted to see them smile.

Christine said...

Interesting!

John M said...

I learned something new, thanks

sandy said...

this was interesting. i enjoyed reading about the wine windows, something i neve rknew about.

Elephant's Child said...

This is fascinating. I hadn't heard of 'wine windows' before and am tickled because some of our businesses are developing similar techniques. 'There is nothing new under the sun'.

My name is Erika. said...

I had never heard of wine windows. What a fascinating post

This N That said...

Charming post. Those windows seem very romantic to me.

Kay said...

I just read about these wine windows this morning. Interesting -- and sad, in this case -- how what's old becomes new again.

Lorrie said...

What a fun and informative post. Wine windows - an old idea that is suddenly relevant again.

Valerie-Jael said...

Very appropriate today! Valerie

Margaret D said...

Interesting is that. Saw it on TV down here the other day.

Iris Flavia said...

I must be blind somehow! We were in Tuscuny, also Florence but there was so much art and beauty I never "saw" such a window. Bitter sweet, they are...

Jo said...

Such a good idea, they certainly knew to keep their distance in those days.

chica said...

Bem interessante.Bom conhecer! Um belo meio de afastamento! bjs, chica

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The wine windows were a great idea back then, perfect for now.
The flowers are beautiful. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great week!

Sami said...

I've never noticed one of these in Italy, what a pity, but I probably wouldn't have known the reason for them either.
Thanks Jan

carol l mckenna said...

Intriguing post and lovely photos of the wine windows ^_^

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Shari Burke said...

I did not know bout these wine windows--how interesting!

Bill said...

I never heard of those windows before either. Interesting to learn about them, thanks!

Phil Slade said...

I don't know where you found that Jan and Eddie. But it's a great idea that only the Mediterraneans could think up. Reminds me of when as a child I'd go the little window of the "outdoor" of the Shakespeare pub with my granddad. he'd have a pint and I'd sit on the steps with a bag of crisps and a lemonade.

Alicia said...

Interesting, medieval drive-thru windows for wine! Count me in!

Jeanie said...

I saw somethng about this onFB and loved it!

Snowbird said...

Oh, this was such a fascinating and wonderful read. I've never heard if wine windows, how ingenious! I'd love to stop by one.xxx

Sue (this n that) said...

An interesting post - how about that! Thanks Jan

Teresa said...

Muy interesante, no había oído hablar de ello. Un beso.