June in Tuscany feels like a dream you don’t want to wake up from.
One of our favorite evenings during our time in Panzano in Chianti was a simple, beautiful dinner at Enoteca Baldi – Wine Bar con Cucina. It’s tucked right in the main piazza, with outdoor tables shaded by umbrellas and surrounded by the quiet buzz of village life. No frills, no fuss—just that perfect Tuscan vibe.
We showed up for our early dinner reservation at 7 PM, which meant we got to sit outside and enjoy the soft golden light that seems to coat everything in Chianti this time of day. We both ordered an Aperol Spritz to start—because, it’s the unofficial cocktail of summer in Italy. Cold, bubbly, and just the right amount of bitter to balance the heat.
For dinner, I ordered the rigatoni in a rich red sauce with pig cheeks. It was hearty, rustic, and absolutely delicious—the kind of dish that feels like someone’s Italian grandmother is in the kitchen making sure it’s just right. Liz had the veal cutlet, and I swear the crunch when she cut into it was audible from across the table. Perfectly crisp on the outside, tender inside. She was very happy.
Now about the wine… Enoteca Baldi is known for its wine list, and they’re not joking around. It’s 56 pages long. Fifty-six. Even with a “wine of the day” section to help people like us, it still felt like trying to pick a movie on Netflix when you’re already hungry. After flipping through a few pages, we quietly closed the book and stuck with our spritzes. No regrets.
This wasn’t a fancy dinner. It was simple, relaxing, and exactly what we needed. A lovely setting, good food, and that feeling you get when you realize you don’t really need anything more.
If you’re ever in Panzano, go. Grab a table outside, order a spritz, and take your time.
Enoteca Baldi – Wine Bar con Cucina
📍 Piazza G. Bucciarelli 25, Panzano in Chianti (FI)
📞 +39 055 852843
📧 info@enotecabaldi.it
📸 Instagram: @enotecabaldi