Enoteca al Volto

Enoteca al Volto is a wine bar on Calle Cavalli in the San Marco district of Venice, in the Veneto region of Italy, close to the Rialto Bridge. It was founded in 1936 and is known for its wood-paneled walls covered in old wine labels collected over decades, which give the room a dense, atmospheric character. The wine list is the focus, with more than 1,300 labels and a by-the-glass list that runs deep into small Veneto and Friuli producers as well as wider Italian regions. The food is simple bacaro fare, built to accompany the wine rather than to stand alone: crostini with local toppings, tramezzini, and other small plates eaten at the bar or at a few tables. Signature choices include crostini with local toppings, tramezzini and the Venetian wines themselves, and guests are encouraged to ask the barman to suggest a glass and a matching crostino. The atmosphere is convivial and busy, with a quick after-work crowd of locals at early evening, and visitors and wine enthusiasts filling the room at other times. Noise levels are moderate to high when full. There is no dress code. Prices are mid-range, with crostini inexpensive and wines varying widely from modest glasses to more expensive bottles. It is open Monday to Saturday from ten in the morning until half past two in the afternoon and again from five in the evening until nine, and it is closed on Sunday. Reservations are not required. Early evening offers the experience most like the way the bar is meant to be used, with locals stopping in for a glass, while lunch is calmer. Visitors who want to learn about regional wines should ask for guidance, since the list is long and the staff are used to recommending.