Cinque, a #winelover's gem in Athens

If Athens is in your plans Cinque Wine Bar and Deli is a must. Go ahead call me names if you think a visit to Athens is about visiting the Acropolis and doing all the typical tourist stuff. For this Spaswinefood enthusiast it is not my glass of wine. That is why I explore Athens through a different lens. Whenever I am in Athens I return to Cinque, 15 Agatharchou Street. Cinque is a place where there is always special #winelover magic in the air. During my recent visit I was happy to discover that they are also opening at another location. Their new location Cinque Wine Delights, 10 Voreou Street will not only offer wines but also will feature takeaway items. 

Evangelie and Greg, Cinque, Athens © Spaswinefood

Cinque Wine Delights
We were their first customers; so with right foot forward let me briefly share the wines tasted at Cinque Wine Delights.

Wine Tasting, Cinque Wine Delights © Spaswinefood

An Assyrtiko Affair at Cinque's New Location
It was the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about Greek wines. We tasted an amazing lineup of Assyrtiko wines.

1. Kokotos Estate, Perdika sto Ampeli 

Kokotos Estate, Perdika sto Ampeli (Partridge in the Vines) 2015 © Spaswinefood

2. Domaine Porto Carras Assyrtiko

Domaine Porto Carras Assyrtiko © Spaswinefood

3. Tsantali, Klimaklima Organic Assyrtiko 

Tsantali, Klimaklima Organic Assyrtiko 2016 © Spaswinefood

4. Domaine Hatzimichalis, Alepotrypa Assyrtiko 

Domaine Hatzimichalis, Alepotrypa Assyrtiko 2016 © Spaswinefood

5. Artemis Karamolegos, Assyrtiko

Artemis Karamolegos, Assyrtiko 2016 © Spaswinefood

6. Pyritis, Santorini Mega Cuvée 

Pyritis, Santorini Mega Cuvée 2015 © Spaswinefood

Yes, it was indeed an exciting lineup of Assyrtiko wines. Please taste these wines if you have not.

Cinque Wine Delights © Spaswinefood

After the wine tasting we were off to lunch at a local taverna.

Lunch at Oinopoleion

We joined the family for lunch at a local taverna, Oinopoleion, an 85 year old restaurant. This Psirri neighborhood restaurant/cook house is located near central square, Plateia Iroon.

Lunch at Oinopoleion © Spaswinefood

During our amazing lunch in the garden courtyard we sampled a Savatiano wine from Markou Wines, the restaurant owners family vineyards.

Markou Wines, Salvation 2016 © Spaswinefood

Plus we enjoyed one of the Assyrtiko wines that we tasted earlier.

Artemis Karamolegos, Assyrtiko 2016 © Spaswinefood

It was not just a great lunch at one of Athens authentic tavernas but also a lunch with friends.

An Evening at Cinque

Yes, we could not resist going to Cinque Wine Bar that evening. It was busy when we arrived however, we finally got a seat at the bar.

Wine Tasting, Cinque Style © Spaswinefood

This time we decided to taste some Agiorgitiko wines, which included:

1. Estate Constantin Gofas, Nemios Oenos, Nemea 2016 

Estate Constantin Gofas,  Nemios Oenos, Nemea 2016 © Spaswinefood

2. Estate Constantin Gofas, Nemea PGI 2015

Estate Constantin Gofas, Nemea PGI  2015 © Spaswinefood

3. Estate Constantin Gofas, Vasilio Grande Reserve, Nemea PGI 2011

Estate Constantin Gofas, Vasilio Grande Reserve, Nemea PGI 2011 © Spaswinefood

After tasting these awesome Agiorgitiko wines, we ordered the most fantastic deli platter.

Deli Platter, Cinque © Spaswinefood

Two other wines we tasted that evening were:

Domaine Hatzimichalis, Aglianico 2010

Domaine Hatzimichalis, Aglianico 2010 © Spaswinefood

Kokkinos, Xinomavro Naoussa 2013

Kokkinos, Xinomavro Naoussa 2013 © Spaswinefood

At the end of our wonderful evening visit we said goodbye to our friends. What an fantastic day it was. While in Athens we stayed at 18 Micon Street Hotel. This hotel is right around the corner from the wine bar. 

Cinque, Athens is a #Winelover's Gem

It is because of Cinque that I would suggest a basic requirement for all wine bars. First of all, bring knowledge and passion to the wines being served. For so many of the wine bars the wines are served by a server who has little or no knowledge of the wines. While the overall service is sometimes efficient it often is a waiter/waitress delivering drinks approach. A few years ago when I arrived in Athens for a #winelover gathering I just happen to connect with a facebook friend who owned a wine bar in Central Athens. Yes, the wine bar was Cinque. Some places are special because of the people. For Cinque it is not just because they are nice but also because they are knowledgeable about the wines and bring a special passion to serving wine at their wine bar. What I encountered on that initial #winelover outing, (Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2016) at the Cinque Wine Bar and Deli was not only great wines and food, but also amazing hospitality from the owners who are both knowledgeable and passionate about Greek wines. 

Cinque Athens is a wine bar and deli that you must visit. There is a special #winelover magic in the air at Cinque. I suspect that same magic at Cinque Wine Bar  and Deli will continue at Cinque Wine Delights. Special thanks to Evangelie and Greg for such a wonderful welcome back to Greece. I invite you to join me in my other Greek #winelover experiences at Spaswinefood. 


#SeeYouInGreece

Sharon

Cinque Wine Bar

Athens, Greece

October 2017

© Spaswinefood