In a lot of the grocery stores and wine shops that I have been visiting, I’m finding the prices almost to be the same as I’m finding them in the United States (pre-tariffs). Granted i’ve mainly searched duty-free, grocery stores in Venice, and small stores in Rome. Today I was in Eataly (a higher priced store), and while there were a few things that were on sale that made it cheaper than the United States, I was shocked to see that all of the high-end wines that I looked at were not price competitively even though I am in their country of origin and looking at these prices before any import taxes and fees are assigned. I knew it was more of a pipe dream, but I was hoping to pick up some bottles of Tignanello at 1/3 off a US seller. My last hope of finding a “score” will be Sorrento, any advice?
by Likes_The_Scotch
26 Comments
High end, famous wine is not really that much cheaper over there, totally true. Like, the tiny savings on Tig and then the pain in the ass to bring them back is not really worth it.
The value is in the lesser known, smaller production stuff.
I can buy most italian wines cheaper in germany than in italy. Obscure wines is my goal to bring back when visiting Italy.
Those wines (and their prices) are global
go to a smaller wine shop and have a chat with the employees and get their take on what local producers you should try based on your tastes. tig is gonna be the same price just about everywhere, the value is in the stuff you can’t find here
Learning curve. If the bottle can be found at home, buy it there. The hassles never merit the savings. If you do decide to transport, the best option is to limit to small production non-exported bottles that really rock your world. Apart from that, nabbing a few interesting splits for fun remembrances is fine with checkin luggage.
Camarcanda Bolgheri from Gaja is a must!!!
Try a grocery store and look for some less expensive Brunellos.
Real deals are in the restaurants, not in the shops. Especially for older vintages in the home region.
There are some good shops in less touristy areas….but it won’t be like you’re saving a ton. It is easier to find certain things (Valentini for example).
Agreed with what someone else commented – there are a lot of high end well known labels here which are priced high.
There is a wine shop in Siena and San Gimignano that has similar trophy wines all priced for unsuspecting tourists. Best wine shops I’ve found in Italy have been in unattractive neighbourhoods of towns, not in tourist centre or somewhere like Eatly
Have a look online and see what you can find out in the suburbs
I lived in Italy for 3.5 years. You gotta look at the local shops or just go straight to the local wineries. Soooo many great local wines that you won’t find anywhere else.
Produttori – end of the QPR question
Probably just the Solaia
First of all, after Covid everything changed, prices went up a lot everywhere on everything!
Then you must consider higher VAT in Italy and crazy taxation in general, so companies need to charge quite high.
Last and most important, you were in touristic places, of course much more pricey for anything!
In smaller towns you still find good deals and online even more, I still can buy good Brunello and Barolo at 40-60 in some cases, even aged…
Sassicaia is more expensive in Italy ? I would have never guessed
The Biondi Santi Rosso Di Montalcinos are a bit cheaper there than I’ve seen in the US. Last I saw it was $115 for both the 2018 and 2020
I love that you went to freaking Eataly expecting some great local deals on Tig. Bless your heart.
Check out grocery stores. I found a half bottle of 2016 Tig at a grocery co-op near the Pantheon in Rome for €42.
Why would you go all the way to Italy only to buy wine you can already get in the states?
As others have correctly called out you arnt going to find screaming deals on the global wines of Italy, the value of being in country is the no name ones beloved by locals that don’t get exported.
IMO, the only “good value” I see here is the 2016 ARPEPE Riserva for 80… but it’s more about the availability rather than the price for this particular wine. I think only ~250 cases were imported to the US.
Since the US is (or was) such a huge importer for wine, most wines have really favorably negotiated prices. Hard to beat the Costco prices that are posted on here regularly. What you want to look for in Italy are the more obscure regions and underdogs that are rarely exported.
OMG is that Philine Isabelle I see in the third row next to the last box on the right?? Those wines are impossible to get in my market, even as a wine buyer for a well known restaurant!!!
Wine shops in big cities are never a good option. Find store outside the city with dust and character. That’s where the deals are found.
Google vineyards and stop in for a free tasting. I have 300 bottles from Italy, not one bought retail from anything other than direct from the growers. You’re doing it all wrong.
LMAO oh dear
Eataly and Duty-Free stores?!?!?! In Italy?!?!?!
Bruh…
Youre looking at globally recognized ‘luxury’ names. The prices need to be the same the world over to prevent grey markets. Think of it like buying a Louis Vuitton bag. It’s not going to be cheaper just because you’re in France, for example.