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Athens is a real world metropolis, with entry to superb worldwide wines. It additionally has a really historical connection to grapes and the artwork of wine making with centuries-old wineries surrounding the town.
So, it ought to come as little shock that Athens has a number of the prime wine bars in all of Greece, if not Europe. From pure wines to worldwide positive wines and native vintages, together with a number of wine bars in your subsequent meals journey to Athens, helps you get a real style of what the town has to supply.
Our Guides’ Favourite Wine Bars
Now we have scoured the town to search out the bars which can be most obsessed with selling indigenous Greek grape varieties. Our choice focuses on venues with skilled sommeliers who can information you thru the advanced world of Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, and Assyrtiko. We search for an environment that’s each instructional and relaxed, inviting you to linger over each glass. E-book a meals tour with us to be taught extra.
Oinoscent
Photograph credit score: Oinoscent
Oinoscent is an upscale bistro wine bar close to in style vacationer sights like Syntagma Sq. and Ermou Road. It’s an important spot to take a seat again for a calming drink, and a meal after an extended day exploring Athens.
The inside décor at Oinoscent is glossy that includes an air of sophistication with picket accents and strategically tender lighting. It’s intimate sufficient to have an informal drink with a pal or come collectively to satisfy with everybody in your group on the finish of the day.
Oinoscent’s wine listing features a full spectrum of Greek and worldwide wines from France and Italy. To not point out an impressive choice of top-shelf pure wines. For those who’re in search of an genuine style of Greek wine, they’ve a stunning choice of purple wines from the Peloponnese and Northern Greece.
On my final go to, the on-hand sommelier beneficial an Assyrtiko white wine from Santorini, which I discovered spectacularly refreshing. I’d been on my toes all day, and the cool white wine, with notes of citrus and salinity was precisely what I wanted to slake my thirst.
Oinoscent (€€) – Voulis 45-47, Athina 105 57, Greece – Open Monday via Friday from 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM. Open Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
Heteroclito
Photograph credit score: Heteroclito
You’ll discover Heteroclito wine bar close to Syntagma Sq. and the picturesque Monastiraki space. Being centrally situated makes it a straightforward cease for wine lovers who get pleasure from a little bit of historical past. Particularly for the reason that Acropolis and the Historical Agora, are each inside affordable strolling distance.
Heteroclito’s ambiance is cozy and with an intimate vibe. The décor is concurrently rustic and chic with picket tables, and towering cabinets lined with beautiful wine bottles. In good climate, I feel the out of doors seating space is the place to be. It gives up an genuine street-side expertise that’s good for people-watching.
The wine listing at Heteroclito largely focuses on Greek wines. In addition they are likely to have wine choices from different components of Greece that you just don’t normally discover at different wine bars.
For those who’re an oenophile, it’s an important alternative to discover wines from rarer grape varieties like Assyrtiko from Santorini, Moschofilero, and even Agiorgitiko. They even have some slightly uncommon Assyrtiko whites, with astoundingly crisp acidity and mineral notes.
On my final go to, I sampled one of many Xinomavro reds, which had a daring construction and complexity. It completed with a sturdy physique that left my palate aching for extra.
Heteroclito (€€) – Fokionos 2, Athina 105 63, Greece – Open Monday to Thursday from 12:30 PM to 12:00 AM. Open Friday and Saturday from 12:30 PM to 1:30 AM. Open Sunday from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
Cinque Wine & Deli Bar
Photograph credit score: Cinque Wine & Deli Bar
Cinque Wine & Deli Bar is a pleasant wine bar situated within the Psyrri neighborhood of Athens. That is an space identified for its road artwork, vibrant tradition, and bustling nightlife. Standard sights like Monastiraki Sq. and Hadrian’s Library are additionally shut by making Cinque a handy place for a glass of wine.
Cinque’s ambiance is heat and alluring. The décor is rustic stylish with uncovered brick partitions, picket tables, and cabinets with in style wine vintages on show. The employees may be very educated, with tons of nice suggestions on wines in addition to the deli meats and charcuterie pairing.
Cinque’s wine listing is curated to advertise Greek wines from smaller, native wineries and vineyards. It nearly begs you to discover a number of the lesser-known bottles of wine in hopes of discovering a secret gem. They’ve some nice Assyrtiko wines from Santorini and Xinomavro purple vintages that you just gained’t simply discover elsewhere.
On my final cease, I loved a Moschofilero white that was fragrant to the purpose of being floral. It paired properly with a small charcuterie board of artisan Greek cheeses, and Lountza cured pork.
Cinque Wine & Deli Bar (€€) – Agatharchou 15, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Kiki de Grèce
Photograph credit score: Kiki de Grèce
Kiki de Grèce is nestled on a comfy pedestrian Ipitou Road close to the guts of Athens and Syntagma Sq.. It’s a bit of little bit of a quiet oasis in what’s a slightly frenetic, noisy a part of the town. It’s additionally near the historic Plaka neighborhood and the Nationwide Backyard, which provides you a cushty place to unwind if wanted.
The environment at Kiki de Grèce is heat and intimate with low lighting and choose seating that’s good for a romantic glass of wine with somebody particular. In order for you a bit of contemporary air, there’s a modest out of doors seating space that permits you to watch the town go by at a extra relaxed tempo.
Kiki de Grèce’s wine listing focuses largely on positive Greek wines like Moschofilero and Assyrtiko. In addition they have a meals menu that features a rotating menu of tapas that pair completely with all of the good wines on their menu.
I used to be there on a Wednesday afternoon once they had an aperitivo particular of wine pairings and tapas. I significantly loved the Moschofilero white with spinach quiche. The Moschofilero was gentle and floral with vivid citrus notes and refreshing acidity that completely lower the richness of the quiche.
Kiki de Grèce (€€) – Ipitou 4, Athina 105 57, Greece – Open Sunday to Thursday from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Open Friday and Saturday from 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
Athens’ Wine Historical past
We view the trendy Athenian wine bar scene as a vibrant revival of an historical custom that dates again to the symposia of the classical period. Over the past thirty years, a brand new era of Greek winemakers has moved away from bulk manufacturing to give attention to high-quality, terroir-driven bottles. We discover it inspiring that Athens has change into the first showcase for these world-class regional choices, inserting Greece firmly again on the worldwide wine map. This historic continuity makes each glass a connection to the god Dionysus and the very roots of Mediterranean tradition.
Wine Bar Etiquette in Athens
We propose beginning your night with an “aperitiki” flight to pattern the various vary of Greek glowing and white wines earlier than transferring to heavier reds. In most Athenian wine bars, it’s customary to obtain a small bowl of native olives or nuts to accompany your first order. We discover that the sommeliers are extremely welcoming and recognize it when friends present a real curiosity within the particular story behind a bottle. Rounding up the invoice is the usual approach to present appreciation for the experience and repair supplied.
Conclusion
The wine bar scene in Athens has risen to change into one of many best in all of Europe. From refined wine bar bistros like Oinoscent to humble institutions like Cinque, there’s one thing for everybody.
After all, the wine bars on this listing are simply the tip of an enormous iceberg. Athens is stuffed with wine retailers, winemakers, and cafes providing excellent wines from Greece and the remainder of the world. With so many choices to select from, you’re certain to search out multiple to suit completely into your subsequent Athens meals tour.
