In the era of social distancing, Italians in Florence have revived the custom of serving wine through pint-size windows in centuries-old buildings.
Year 2020: The covid-19 pandemic arrives. Italy is under lockdown starting March 8th. Everyone is confined to home for two months and then the government permits a gradual reopening. 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!
Year 1634: The Black Death or Plague has passed through the city of Florence, leaving death and havoc in its wake. The Florentine scholar, Francesco Rondinelli, writes a report about disease contagion and describes the use of the abundant Wine Windows in the city for the safe sale of wine, without direct contact between client and seller. Diletta Corsini describes this important document regarding Wine Windows and their uses almost 400 years ago.
Set on the 7th floor of Hotel Splendide Royal – an ancient monastery turned luxury hotel by the Roberto Nardi Collection in 2001 – Mirabelle’s panoramic view goes from Villa Medici to Trinità dei Monti, all the way to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Gianicolo. As the sun sinks into the horizon, leaving an unforgettable sunset over Rome, the dining tables, suspended over the green heart of the Eternal City, come to life with a magical romanticism.
“Initially we just wanted to give people comforting things to feel safe and homey, but now that experience has to evolve,” says Dave Beran, the chef at Santa Monica’s 
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