The Italian aperitivo, a custom of enjoying a drink and a small snack before a meal, is observed differently across Italy. While Milan treats it as a formal after-work event and Venice offers a more mobile experience with small glasses of wine and bite-sized snacks, Verona has its own distinct approach.
Veronese wine writer Angelo Peretti describes the osteria, a traditional tavern, as a key institution in the city's drinking culture. Here, social life often unfolds over a local glass of wine, known as a gòto, typically accompanied by a small snack at the counter, often while standing.
The aperitivo in Verona is not strictly confined to the evening. Observations have shown the ritual beginning as early as 9:30 am, with individuals ordering white wine or spritzes, and friends sharing sparkling wine, without any apparent announcement or perception of it being unusual.