Three wines and a sommelier game

About this experience

Bottega Botlé is a small shop and tasting room in central Bologna. The tasting is short and well organised. You get three wines: a still Pignoletto, a Sangiovese in purezza and a Sangiovese Appassimento made with partly dried grapes. The pours are measured, and the listing gives them in millilitres.

The food is generous for 45 minutes: Mortadella Bologna IGP, regional cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano aged 12 and 24 months, honey, jams, traditional balsamic and three single-variety olive oils (Coratina, Peranzana and Ogliarola, olive varieties from Puglia). Then the Sommelier Game: a tablet app that has you match what you taste to descriptions, with a member of staff guiding. It sounds gimmicky. Guests say it makes the tasting more fun, and it does get you paying attention.

Pignoletto is Bologna's own white. Sangiovese is Romagna's grape, from the eastern side of the region, so this is an Emilia-Romagna tasting more than a Bologna-only one. Groups are 7 at most, it is listed as wheelchair accessible, and guests say the staff handled gluten-free requests. You leave with a fridge magnet.

• Three wines: Pignoletto, Sangiovese and Sangiovese Appassimento
• Mortadella Bologna, Parmigiano 12 and 24 months, balsamic and honey
• Three single-variety olive oils to compare
• A tablet Sommelier Game guided by staff
• Small group of up to 7, wheelchair accessible

How the day runs

1. ArrivalFind the shop

   The listing gives a map pin in central Bologna, not a street address. Check your booking for directions.

2. FirstWines and board

   Three wines poured in turn with the board of salumi, cheese, honey, jams and balsamic.

3. ThenOlive oils

   Three monovarietal oils side by side, with notes on how they differ.

4. To finishSommelier Game

   The tablet game, guided by staff, then time to ask questions or buy a bottle.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Save the map pin from your booking. There's no street address on the listing.
• Use it as an aperitivo: book a late-afternoon slot and walk to dinner afterwards.
• Gluten-free? Mention it when you book; guests say the staff adapted the board.
• Bring a small bag if you think you'll buy a bottle or some oil.

Read next:

• Wine tours

Frequently asked questions

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