Virtual Assyrtiko Wine Tasting
Exploring Greece’s Indigenous Variety Across Borders
This virtual tasting took place during the lockdown period.
What it revealed, however, remains highly relevant today.
When travel paused, Cinque chose to continue the conversation — allowing Greek wine to travel instead.
Assyrtiko, Shared Across Countries
On March 10th, a virtual wine tasting dedicated to Assyrtiko, Greece’s most iconic white grape variety, was organized by Cinque Wine Bar Athens for the international #winelover community.
Tasting kits were carefully prepared, packaged and delivered to participants in eight different countries, arriving safely and ready to be opened simultaneously — despite distance, borders and restrictions.
The wines showcased Assyrtiko’s diversity of expression, coming from:
the mainland vineyards of Atalanti Valley in Central Greece
and the volcanic island of Santorini, the birthplace of the variety
When Knowledge Meets Experience
The tasting was joined live by leading figures of Greek wine and oenology:
Leonidas Hatzimichalis, owner of Domaine Hatzimichalis, Atalanti Valley
Giannis Paraskevopoulos, co-owner of Gaia Winery, Santorini, oenologist and Professor at the University of West Attica
Giorgos Kotseridis, Professor of Viticulture at the Agricultural University of Athens and consultant to Anhydrous Avantis Santorini
Together, they guided participants through terroir, vinification choices and the stylistic contrasts of Assyrtiko across regions.
The discussion that followed allowed guests to exchange impressions, compare preferences and deepen their understanding of Greek terroir — all within a shared digital space.
A Network Built to Deliver Experience
What made this possible was not technology alone.
It was coordination.
Cinque handled the preparation of small-format tasting bottles, the secure packaging and the international distribution of the kits — ensuring consistency, quality and timing across countries.
This experience reflected a network capable of:
handling wine safely in small formats
delivering educational experiences beyond physical spaces
aligning producers, experts and guests under one coherent narrative
International Voices, Shared Enthusiasm
Participants and international wine professionals highlighted the experience as a rare opportunity to travel through Greece virtually — discovering Assyrtiko’s mineral-driven Santorini expressions alongside broader, fruit-forward mainland styles.
The tasting featured:
a fresh mainland Assyrtiko by Domaine Hatzimichalis
a stainless-steel fermented Assyrtiko by Gaia Wines
and a barrel-aged Santorini expression by Avantis – Anhydrous Winery
For many, the evening reinforced why Assyrtiko remains one of the most compelling white grape varieties in the Mediterranean.
More Than a Virtual Tasting
This event was not simply a response to temporary restrictions.
It became a reference point.
It demonstrated how the Cinque network can:
activate international communities
support producers and educators
and design wine experiences that remain meaningful, even when physical presence is impossible
For guests, it was a journey through Greece in a glass.
For Cinque, it was proof of a system built to adapt, connect and scale.
A Conversation That Continues
While this tasting belongs to a specific moment in time, its impact extends beyond it.
The conversations around Assyrtiko, Greek terroir and indigenous varieties continue — both online and in person — across the Cinque network.
Because when wine is treated as culture, knowledge and shared experience, distance becomes secondary.