Dozens of labels in 25ml servings to help you decide if this is what your taste buds yearn for; old vintages from the best Greek winemakers; impressive cellars, informed sommeliers and excellent dishes: all this makes up the phenomenon of wine bars that has conquered the center of Athens and spread across the country. Ιt’s so much more than a trend. Up until a few years ago, imbibing in a top-notch Greek wine when going out for leisure or romance meant going to a fancy restaurant and accompanying it not just with food, but also with the bitter pill of a hefty bill at the end.

Wine bars – with their modern look, laid-back atmosphere, well-informed wine lists, light dishes and budget friendly prices – brought good Greek wine closer to a broader and younger crowd. The expression “let’s grab a glass” has taken on a whole new dimension; a different quality. Tasting, appreciating or rejecting a wine is no longer a scary prospect on the pocket. It has become a legitimate alternative for a good night out, an adventure and a cultural phenomenon. In this regard, wine bars play an essential educational role as well. And that alone is nothing to be sniffed at.