Quasi 518 – Natural Wine and the Best Norcineria in Town

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I’m sitting inside Quasi 518, a small aperitif bar on Via Cavour—the short stretch of the street that lies on the city side. I’m becoming a regular at this place, despite my “conflictual” relationship with natural wine. And here, there is only natural wine—bottles lining every surface like trophies of fermentation. From €15 to €150 per bottle, it’s the perfect place for my re-education in natural wine.

I decided to go for a glass of Malvasia from Podere Acquacina. I already know this producer from their Orvieto Classico, but this bottle was a new experience. It’s unfiltered, with visible signs of oxidation already taking place. You get the unmistakable aromatic notes of the Malvasia grape—floral and slightly fruity—but it’s layered with a touch of tannin, giving the wine grip. There’s high acidity too, probably from natural processes still unfolding in the bottle. It’s not a wine I’d buy again, but it’s perfectly drinkable.

But it’s not just about the wine. Quasi 518 has what I would call the best norcineria in the entire city. The plate I had was composed of prosciutto, capocollo, and two deeply seasoned varieties of salami. The prosciutto was on the lean side—I prefer the more fatty versions. The capocollo hit that sweet spot between freshness and expression: not too soggy, but full-bodied. Yet the stars of the show were the salami—razor-thin, perfectly seasoned, and bursting with character. I was told it comes from a butcher in Marsciano.

I forgot the name of the person running the place (I’m terrible with names), but he is also a reason to come. He knows his wines, he talks about them—he doesn’t just sell them.

If you’re in the city and care about natural wine—and food that respects its roots—Quasi 518 is the place to be.