I came to Campania for wine and family history and a birthday present to myself. My last day in Italy, my Wine Check was four bottles light. This cannot happen. So I asked a man I met while traveling for some bottles I should bring back. He gave me a few producers as well as a few of his favorite bottles. Vintage and maker.
I set out to find a wine shop, not a grocery store. I planned to spend a reasonable amount of money, €30-€50 a bottle. I saw a sign on the main street in quartieri spagnoli that just said "enoteco" I believe. It was brown. It was hot. The streets are steep. I had no cell signal and figured... What the hell. So up I went. And up. And up. And there it was.
My Italian is pitiful, limited to basics and things you learn when your grandmother is angry at you. I walked in and the man working the shop greeted me. I asked if he spoke English, he did, very little. I explained I was looking for local wines, the varietals, and that a friend had given suggestions. He pointed out the two specific bottles on my list he had, then I asked him for recommendations on two more.
As any good wine monger (my preferred term, don't judge. It makes me smile) should, he asked how much I was looking to spend, and if I liked this or that (or acidic or buttery whites, big structure or more supple reds.). Then he pulled down the bottles and told me I wanted these.
I paid him, thanked him, and was on my way, back in the heat with my four bottles procured. Overall, the shop is tight. And packed. And the guy seemed knowledgeable enough. English, for an American with terrible Italian, was quite adequate. I will come here if I'm ever in Napoli again. Only complaint, and it's a small one... He put four 75cl bottles in a single plastic bag. When you are walking, A: that's heavy and a bit unruly. B: the bottles clanked constantly. I'm used to the individual bottles at least having paper to keep them from smashing against each other. I managed, and it was a good experience. Check this place out! read more
