Greece, 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.
360° Cocktail Bar & Roof Deck 2 Hephaestou St., Monastiraki, tel.: 210321 0006 a vibrant bar with an industrial-style interior & a rooftop garden serving signature cocktails
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 offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and its inspired cocktails, and is a must-visit!
A Liar Man 2 Sofroniou St., Gazi, tel.: 210 345 5656 www.aliarman.gr good times in a friendly bar - bistro
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, Syntagma, tel.: 210 322 9805 www.bartessera.gr great cocktails, food selections, DJ
Bios 84 Peireos (P. Tsaldari) St., Kerameikos, tel.: 210 342 5355 www.bios.gr rooftop bar of an arts center that hosts movies, concerts & DJ sessions
By the Glass 3 Georgiou Souri & Filellinon Sts., Syntagma, tel.: 210 323 2560 wine bar & bistro featuring an extensive wine list, cold cuts & Mediterranean cuisine, has outdoor seating
Blame the Sun Athens Taproom, 60 Veikou St., Koukaki, tel.: 210 921 3523 a vibrant, surf-inspired craft beer hub nestled in the heart of Koukaki
Booze Cooperativa 57 Kolokotroni St., Syntagma, tel.: 211 405 3733 www.boozecooperativa.com a three-storey old mill art repurposed into spaces for art, music, and people-meeting, and eating and drinking
Brettos Distillery & Bar 41 Kydathineon St., Plaka,tel.: 210 323 2110 www.brettosplaka.com Open Monday-Sunday 10am-2am a landmark bar with over a 100-years history in the heart of Plaka. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and nice cocktails - wine tastings and souvenirs downstairs
Clemente VIII within City Link 3 Voukourestiou St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 321 9340
The Clumsies 30 Praxitelous St., Syntagma, tel.: 210 323 2682 www.theclumsies.gr cocktails & classic pub fare, served in this quirky, multi-room bar that has a warm atmosphere, voted 4th among the World's 50 Best Bars!
Duende 2 Tzireon St., Acropolis, tel.: 210 924 7069 traditional bar - bistro
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
James Joyce Irish Pub & Restaurant 10-12 Astiggos St., Monastiraki, tel.: 210 323 5055 Since 2007, Draft Guinness, hearty pub grub, all kinds of good food & live Irish music in a cozy Irish-themed boozer with a long bar.
LoukoumiVintage Bar 3 Avyssinias Square, Monastiraki, tel.: 210 323 4812
Low Profile Whisky Bar 7 Voulis Street, within Bolari arcade, Syntagma, tel.: 213 035 2114 www.lowprofilewhiskybar.gr open Mon-Sun 12:00 pm - 03:00 am, a great whisky bar in the heart of Athens, with a good and wide range of whisky and super cocktails. Ah, yes, a nice selection of snacks and light food is available too!
Strange Brew Taproom & Bottleshop, 86 Falirou St., Koukaki, tel.: 210 923 2146 a temple for craft beer
Tiki Bar, Athens
Tiki Bar & Restaurant 15 Falirou St., Acropolis area. tel.: 210 923 6908 vibrant hangout with playful decor, plus cocktails, delightful food and great DJ music
Winepoint, our favorite, oldest and best wine bar of Athens, in the Acropolis Museum area.
Winepoint 2 Porinou St., Acropolis,tel.: 210 922 7050 8 pm to 1 am, Friday and Saturday till 2 am. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Our favorite, oldest and best wine bar of Athens, in the Acropolis Museum area, with friendly and very knowledgeable hosts, a wisely selected list of Greek wines and superb delicacies of cold cuts and cheese to accompany them.
White Noise 20 Eumolpidon St., Gazi, tel.: 211 400 3381 whitenoisebar.wordpress.com music place & cafe-bar
