For a Glass of Beer, Wine or BoozeGreece, the country of Dionyssos, the god of wine, is the home of the first Vins de Qualite Produit Region (VQPRD) wines in history. The wines in question were from the islands of Chios and Thassos, famous since the ancient times. For a variety of historical and social reasons, and due to natural disasters, the art of wine-making declined from the mid-19th century to the early 1960s, when the traditional customs of winemaking revived. Today one can find a multitude of excellent Greek wines from every region of the country. When you taste Greek wine, bear in mind that it is the produce of excellent harvest, made from varieties of grape unknown to Western lovers of wine. Greek wines are classified in the following four categories: 1) Controlled Appellation of Origin. 2) Superior Quality Appellation of Origin 3) Local wine. 4) Table wine.
Controlled appellation of origin
Listed in the category are only sweet wines, such as the Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia and Patra, the Moschato of Patras, Limnos, Cephalonia and Rodos, and the Sweet wine of Samos. Listed in the category of superior quality appellation of origin are some of the best wines of Greece. Some 20 locations have been designated appellation of origin. In Northern Greece are the appellations Zitsa, Amyntaio, Goumenisa and Naousa. In Halkidiki is the appellation Playies Melitona. In Thessaly are the appellations Agialos and Rapsani. In the Athens area is the appellation of Kantza. In the Peloponnese are the appellations of Patras, Mantineia, and Nemea. In the Ionian islands is the appellations Rombola Cephalinias. In the islands of Paros, Limnos, Rhodes, and Santorini are the appellations (Paros, Limnos, Rhodes and Santorini). In Crete are the appellations of origin, Arkanes, Peza, Siteia and Daphnes. Finally the last two categories, i.e. the local and table wines, offer wine lovers pleasant, exhilarating flavors.
The Vineyard of Attica. Attica is a traditional high quality wine producing region with a total area of vineyards of 16,346 acres. It is fortified by the mountains Hymettos, Penteli, Parnitha, Kithairon, Gerania and Mt. Father. In the coastal zone of Attica vineyard, the winds and the sea breezes blowing throughout the summer, lower the extreme temperatures, bringing the average annual temperature in the attic, about 18 degrees Celcius. The climate of the region is characterized as genuine Mediterranean, with ample sunshine, one of the greatest in Greece with favorable conditions for viticulture. In addition, the attic land, even though it is mainly barren, it has territories that have interesting variety in texture. In this way, the beneficial properties of the climate of the area led the wine growers to plant and to experiment with some more varieties, like Assirtiko, Athiri, Malagouzia, Mandilaria, but to a greater extent of the well known Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot and Syrah. Somehow, just like that, Stamata, Pallini, Pikermi, Spata, Peania, Koropi, Markopoulo, Anavissos, Megara and in other areas new vineyards where found and their respective names of local wines were approved. Within the different varieties of white grapes cultivated here are Savatiano and Roditis which are used for the production of the famous and popular Retsina which accompanies superbly the dishes of Mediterranean cuisine. 45 Degrees
18 Iakhou & Voutadon St., Gazi, tel.: 210 347 2729 bar/club with a rooftop terrace overlooking Gazi and the Acropolis. A for Athens
2-4 Miaouli St., Monastiraki Square, tel.: 210 324 4244 www.aforathens.com The rooftop bar of the A for Athens Hotel with a magnificent panoramic view of Athens and its inspired cocktails, is a must-visit! Baba au Rum
6 Klitiou St., Syntagma, tel.: 211 710 9140 www.babaaurum.com Acclaimed outpost whipping up inventive cocktails in a playful atmosphere, plus outdoor seating. voted 14th among the World's 50 Best Bars! Barley Cargo
6 Kolokotroni St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 323 0445 beer bar with over 230 excellent choices, draft or bottled, and house-made delicacies, industrial look, smoke-free atmosphere, highly recommended by us! BarTessera
25 Kolokotroni St., Stoa Praxitelous, Downtown, tel.: 210 322 9805 www.bartessera.gr Black Duck Multiplarte
9-A Christou Lada St., Karytsi Sq., tel.: 210 323 4760 www.blackduck.gr Booze Cooperativa
57 Kolokotroni St., Downtown, tel.: 211 405 3733 www.boozecooperativa.com art - bar - entertainment Brettos
41 Kydathineon St., Plaka, tel.: 210 323 2110 www.brettosplaka.com an excellent bar with a 100-years history in the heart of Plaka. We go there often! Cava Π
76 Mitropoleos St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 321 1220 Cellier
1-D Kriezotou St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 361 0040 Clemente
3 Voukourestiou St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 321 9340 The Clumsies
30 Praxitelous St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 323 2682 www.theclumsies.gr voted 4th among the World's 50 Best Bars! Divino Wine Case
11 Akamantos St., Thesseion, tel.: 211 400 3962 choices of wine and tasty food to accompany them Fabrica de Vino
3 Emm. Benaki St., Omonia, tel.: 210 321 4148 GAZARTE
32-34 Voutadon St., Gazi, tel.: 210 346 0347 www.gazarte.gr Rooftop view of the Acropolis and Technopolis but also spacious interiors, with well-chosen music selections. Hard Rock Cafe Athens
52 Adrianou St., Monastiraki, tel.: 210 324 5170 www.hardrock.com/athens Ipitou
4, Ipitou St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 325 4575 Noel Bar
Stoa Kourtaki, 59-B Kolokotroni St., Downtown, tel.: 211 215 9534 Osterman
10 Agias Eirinis Sq., Agias Eirinis Sq., tel.: 210 324 3331 www.osterman.gr Strange Brew
Taproom & Bottleshop, 86 Falirou St., Koukaki, tel.: 210 923 2146 a temple for craft beer Tiki Bar & Restaurant
Vibrant hangout with playful decor, plus cocktails, delightful food and great DJ music. Falirou 15, Acropolis area. tel.: 210 923 6908 Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro
66-68 Metropoleos St., Syntagma, tel.: 213 029 6570 www.vintagewinebistro.com Wine Point
2 Porinou & Ath. Diakou Sts., Acropolis, tel.: 210 922 7050 our favorite wine bar, the oldest -and best- in Athens White Noise
20 Eumolpidon St., Gazi, tel.: 211 400 3381 whitenoisebar.wordpress.com music place & cafe-bar
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