57 Athanasiou Diakou, 25250600, LIMASSOL, Mon – Fri 10am – 1pm & 4pm – 8pm, Sat 10am – 3pm, Sun Closed
Talk about classy and stylish. Phiale Wines in Limassol, is a very minimal wine shop, with a very passionate and welcoming owner who is always there (as she later told me) to welcome her visitors. She wants to get to know each and every one of her customers, sit and share her love for wine with them and then suggest the appropriate one for their occasion.
Although it seemed huge and actually felt very cosy with a very friendly vibe. It’s a bright wine store, unlike the ones I’m used to, that being darker and more “serious” in character. Apart from the shop itself, there is a small space at the back with chairs and tables where events can take place.
The concept is all about small wineries from all around the world. The shop includes 100 different wine labels with 50 more to be added soon. Wines from France, Italy, Spain, Greece, even Argentina from a Greek wine producer. Santa Irene from Farmakas village is the current representative from Cyprus while more Cypriot labels will be available shortly.
Wine Sessions have been very popular at Phiale, with Sommelier Giorgos Loukakis. They include 10-12 people and anyone can join to find out more about wine, e.g. how to best serve it, what food goes best with each wine and so on.
Apart from the wine variety, you can also find selected items such as oatcakes, books about wine (what else) by Shopkeeper, coffee by Kxoffee Project, fancy chocolates and the Zalto wine glasses, considered to be the best in the world. Can I just say that these glasses are flexible. Yes. You have to try it to believe it, but you can actually press the top part and it is flexible. Phiale Wines is in fact their exclusive distributor in Cyprus.
There is also a small space upstairs where you can check out the Zalto glasses and the carafes available, along with a selection of the more “complex” or “particular” wines ready to be served.
Prices for the wines range from €9.50, to €18 – €25. The store very often features the “bundles”, packages of two wines with a discount starting at €25 and packages of 6 wines from €70. The Zalto wine glasses are two for €60, 6 for €200 and the carafe starts at €65. Gift vouchers are also available, something I believe it’s a good idea to suggest your friends a new place to visit.
Stay tuned for their official opening event and more will follow as the season changes and the wine chapter never really ends.
