Greek tourist board launches Wine Trails of Greece initiative

The Greek National Tourism Organisation has partnered with fine dining Mayfair restaurant Hide to launch a new campaign called The Wine Trails of Greece.

The initiative highlights a network of routes connecting vineyards across four of the best wine regions of Greece: Macedonia, the Peloponnese, Crete and the Cyclades.

It forms part of the tourist board’s wider 2022 programme to promote wine tourism in the country through 90 wineries open to the public.

Hide's executive chef and co-founder Ollie Dabbous has created a tasting menu inspired by Greek products, and featuring Greek wine pairings, to coincide with the launch.

The upper level of the restaurant, Above at Hide, will then offer a lamb dish on both its a la carte and tasting menus throughout May and June in celebration of the destination.

“We are delighted to be launching The Wine Trails of Greece with Ollie Dabbous, one of the UK’s most prestigious and forward-thinking chefs,” said Eleni Skarveli, director of Visit Greece for the UK and Ireland.

“His love of pared back, natural food aligns fully with the high quality of Greek food and wine.

“The wine trails we are highlighting include just some of the incredible wineries in stunning locations that are now open to visitors and range from those where just tastings and a tour are available to those with extensive accommodation and associated walking trails and other attractions.

“All can be enjoyed as part of dedicated wine tours; stop-offs on walking and cycling trips or just as a holiday excursions away from the beach and the sites.”

Dabbous added: “I first fell in love with Greek food one holiday in Milos: simple honest cooking that is predicated on amazing produce, something Greece has in abundance. The wines are less known to British palettes but are just as delicious.

“There are as many different styles as there are regions, and I have had great pleasure discovering some of these to pair with the menu we have created.”