SF is one of the healthiest cities in the country. With San Francisco’s iconic rolling hills, charming urban parks, miles of beachfront and recreational facilities it’s easy to see how “The City” keeps healthy and active. As such, there is a demand for healthy and interesting choices when it comes to the meals we choose, especially when dining out.

Athens, Greece -A community built on the Mediterrannean diet

Greek, or the Mediterranean Diet is considered to be one of the best choices  for those seeking out a healthy cuisine. What makes the Greek diet so good for you is the variety of nutrient-rich foods and dietary principles. The Greek diet consists mainly of healthy foods such as vegetables, fruit, fish, olive oil and nuts. These particular foods offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits that can improve several risk factors linked to diabetes, obesity, and even heart disease.

(Didn’t your mother always tell you to eat your veggies?)

Dark, leafy greens provide a rich source of minerals, phytonutrients, and even a small amount of Omega-3s. A vital secret to improving your health. These greens are commonly found in well-known dishes such as Spanakotiropita.

Seafood Small Plates (Mezedes Thalassines)

Fish and most seafood are a great source of Omega-3s and deliver lots of immune-boosting and cancer-fighting ingredients. They frequently highlight in many Greek dishes like Lavraki Psito (Mediterranean sea bass) and Htopodi (Octopus).

Feta and Olives with Spreads and Pita (Feta, Elies, kai Pikilia me Pita) -The Perfect Wine Bar Snack

Olive oil is a main staple in Greek cooking and is an excellent provider of healthy fat. Monounsaturated fats can help promote good heart health and also help to keep you full and satisfied. Most dishes include this wonderful oil. Besides, who can think of Greek food and not think of olives?

Tomatoes, another frequently used element in Greek cooking, have tons of health benefits. Tomatoes are a great source of Vitamins A, B6, C, K and other nutritional elements such as lycopene, potassium, and even fiber. These excellent, red wonders are also a known cancer-fighter. Tomatoes can be found in dishes including Yemisty Domata, Horiatiki salata and Gyros.

Even red wine (in moderation of course) can be beneficial to your health. Red wine has antioxidants can help cardiovascular health. I think we now know what Tony Bennett was really singing about when he, “left his heart in San Francisco”. Clearly he was talking about all of the health benefits available in our “City by the Bay”.

The other benefit to the Greek diet is the portion sizes. Greeks often share small plates of food called a Meze. (Ironic, we think not!)  By sharing bites of food, one not only slows down to allow the brain to register “fullness” and avoid over-eating, but also more thoroughly enjoys what is being tasted. There is also more room for variety when sharing small plates. A variety of healthy Greek foods is suggested to reap broadest nutritional benefits. Mezes Kitchen and Wine Bar, aptly named for its small plates that are meant to be shared, is a great place to be considered when you are seeking out a nutritional and delicious dining experience.

So, if you’re in SF and you want to enjoy a healthy lifestyle along with the rest of us, come to Mezes!

Vineyard and church in Myrtia near Pyrgos, Greece

In Greece—between the Peloponnese, Macedonia, and the shores of Crete—T+L finds welcoming people, seductively simple food, and unforgettable Greek wines.

By Bruce Schoenfeld

I might have fallen as hard for Plyto in a tasting room or over dinner at home, but the setting of our first encounter made it inevitable. I was on a sloop, sailing past the stone bastions of Spinalonga, the mysterious Venetian fortress off Crete’s northern coast. Friends I’d met just that afternoon had laid out meats and cheeses beside canapés that looked like miniature sculptures. The sea was shimmering, the sky a shade of El Greco blue.

Then came wine, from a grape variety I hadn’t encountered in two decades of seeking out the stuff around the world. Not only did Plyto have historic importance—found only on Crete, it was rescued from near extinction by a determined vine grower in the 1980’s—but its thirst-quenching, green-apple bite also made it the perfect beverage for a perfect moment. Read More…

 It is no surprise that Greeks know their way around roasted lamb. It’s custom to enjoy this festive dish especially during Easter. Roasted lamb is served in honor of this occasion and it’s best enjoyed with an abundance of wine. Pairing the right wine with lamb is not always an easy task for those that are unfamiliar with this dish. But, have no fear, it is said that lamb is one of the most wine-friendly meats. This task is made even easier by your wine specialists at Mezes Wine Bar. 

Mezes had a little lamb…

For Greek Easter on Sunday, May 5th Mezes will be serving roasted lamb along with other fabulous and festive favorites. To make your visit even more delightful we have selected our top three choices to be paired with an Easter feast:

Arger-Martucci 06 Syrah

This smooth and elegant Syrah brings bouquet of classic white pepper and bright red cherry. Full and velvety mouthfeel with tobacco at first and followed by chocolate covered cherries as it opens up. On the palate, the wine has a firm backbone with a long follow through on the palate. We believe you will enjoy this classic Napa Valley Syrah!

Anonimos 10 Cabernet Sauvignon

The grapes were hand picked in Lodi and pressed in Alameda.  French oak barrel aged.  Chocolate covered cherries, blueberry, anise, with a mocha finish.  This wine is balanced, smooth, with a touch of earthiness, overlays of oak, soft tannins, with and medium finish.  Only one barrel of this special wine was produced and it is currently only available at Mezes Wine Bar.

 Kir Yianni 09 Paranga Xinomavro

This wine comes from selected vineyards in Northwestern Greece. It brings a refreshing and jammy combination: a supple Merlot in the background with a touch of a very spicy Syrah under the spell of a light and more easy-to-drink Xinomavro. Its light ruby red color and herbal undertones are alluring. Its remarkable acidity gives rise to a complex bouquet of cinnamon, clove, and green pepper, and a long finish. Light and spicy with refreshing acidity and mild tannins.  

With a mix of bold, spicy, and jammy combinations from California and Greece we believe these wines have what it takes to make your Greek Easter meal truly memorable. We are offering these three selections in a Wine Flight that is currently available at our Wine Bar.

Kalo Pashcha! It’s the time of year for roasted lamb and tsoureki. Greek Easter is all about food and wine.  What better way to enjoy this wonderful  holiday than to make a reservation at Mezes? No prep work, no dishes, just a wonderful meal to enjoy with friends and family.

Chef Nikos is preparing a special slow roasted lamb with roasted potatoes. He will also be baking the Greek Easter bread “tsoureki” and enough dyed eggs for everybody to smash. The roasted Easter lamb is a special dish Chef Nikos only prepares this time of year. For those of us that are not aware of these traditional dishes, tsoureki is a sweet, egg bread that is rich like a brioche. Although there are many variations on how this bread is prepared, we’d like to brag about our own version.

Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread)

The red, dyed Easter eggs, or kokkina avga,  are not only pleasing to the eye, but also edible. Red is the color of life and represents a good reason to celebrate. Speaking of celebrating, what better way to enjoy these dishes than with a boutique California red or a peppery Greek selection.  Here is our wine recommendation for your Greek Easter lamb:

Arger-Martucci 06 Syrah (Napa Valley) Greek American boutique winemaker/ elegant red cherries/ white pepper
Kyr-Yianni 09 Paranga Xinomavro Blend (Naoussa, GR) plums/ spice/ chocolate/ vanilla beans
Anonimos 10 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi) vibrant dark fruits/ black cherries/ plums/ touch of caramel/ chocolate & tobacco finish (24 cases produced)

So join us for a celebration of life, good weather, great food, and even greater wine. Greek Easter is Sunday, May 5th. We hope to share in the celebration. Christos Anesti!

While Greek wine names might not roll off the tongue easily, but they sure please the palate. Greek wines are commonly known for their rare and ancient old world vines, tradition, and

’08 Ramnista Xinomavro

unique characteristics. The ’08 Ramnista is made in the north of Greece in the wine region of Naoussa.  These vines in the Kir-Yanni vineyard are over 150 years old. The Boutaris family, behind this great wine, are dedicated to their family traditions.  One of these traditions is to capture the distinct traits provided by xinomavro. The features old vine xinomavro include strong acidic notes well defined natural fruit and lively tannins.

Santorini vineyard overlooking the Mediterranean sea

The assyrtiko vines grow on the ground and are weaved into a basket. This is done so they can endure the sea wind

The ’10 Atlantis from Argyros, is a blend of mainly the assyrtiko grape with a touch of the athiri and aidani.  These grapes are all from Santorini.  These island assyrtiko vines are over 150 years old and pre-phylloxera.  Assyrtiko wine from Santorini is deemed to be one of Greece’s best whites! Its uncommonly high acidity and minerality make it a wonderful choice. This mythical grape provides its bold mineral profile from the volcanic rock in the Santorini soil.  The vines are thoughtfully stressed receiving their only water from the Mediterranean sea breeze.  The breeze also brings the distinctive sea salt flavors.

In California, wine culture is exceedingly popular. So much so, if it were its own country, it would be the fourth largest wine producer in the world. California wines are new world, non-traditional, eccentric and intriguing. Santa Barbara, a popular region, is well suited for Rhone blends with a Mediterranean climate just like Greece, I mean France. The Offering ’10 is a Rhone style blend from newer vines that demonstrate individual provenance rather than textbook examples of Mediterranean France. The Offering has unique scents of cherry cola, frankincense, and fresh-peeled clementine…. All that while balancing flavors of berry cobbler, black pepper, and cocoa nibs. These unique characteristics make it an excellent representative of New World California. White Fiction ’11 from Field Recordings is a white blend from Monterey and Santa Barbara.  This winery’s philosophy is all about seeking out the untapped potential of less known sites and bringing them together to make truly uncommon blends. This white blend has intense floral aromas and a hint of minerality with tastes of peach and mango on the palate. The Rhone and White blends provided are excellent, non-typical examples of what California has to offer.

There are decidedly unique and distinctive characteristics from Greece and California, but there are also many commonalities between these two wine nations. The whites in this flight share mineral characteristics from the common climate and mineral-rich, earthquake soil.  Both wines will have similar citrus and mineral notes. The reds have similarities in their persistent tannins, balanced structures and natural fruits. All of the wines in this flight share one great thing and its how well they all pair with the Greek food!

And the Winner is….

If you are up to the challenge, you can decide on your “Winner”. You can order this flight anytime at the Mezes Wine Bar.  No matter which wine wins in your tasting, the wine flight is a fun way to enjoy! .

California, White Fiction, Field Recordings, Greece, Argyros, Atlantis, Assyrtiko, Santorini

Greece vs California Flight $16
’10 Argyros Atlantis Assyrtiko Blend
’11 Field Recordings “White Fiction”
’10 The Offering Rhone Bend
’08 Kir-Yianni Ramnista

Discover your wine flight possibilities and introduce your taste buds to new wine flavors. A Mezes Wine Flight is a small pour of 3-4 wines with a tasting plate of flavory wine foods like olives and salty cheese.  Flights will enlighten you and bring your wine enjoyment to new heights.  Compare and contrast the flight wines to find the flavors you love the most.

Explore your options with flights without committing to a single, full glass.  It’s an ingenious way for tasters to enjoy a range of flavors within the flight’s theme. Take this opportunity to compare and contrast between all of the wines in front of you.

What’s food got to do with it?

The perfect way to taste wine is with foods that compliment wine flavors.  We don’t want to overshadow any characteristics of the Dionysian treat.  Greek olives are a great choice because they have a unique flavor that opens taste buds for a full wine experience.  Salty cheeses like Greek feta are also a great choice.  Depending on the flight other foods can really add to the experience like dips with unique spices.

Flights are really about having fun! Experience the joy of trying something new and talking about it with friends. Discussing the tastes and characteristics that are loved and not-so-loved is a great way to pass time and get to know each other.

Start your night with a flight at Mezes Wine Bar.  It’s the perfect way to make your day.  Come in anytime and our knowledgeable staff will walk you through your flight.

Mezes is currently pouring their Syrah by the glass bringing San Francisco into the A & M wine world. With a peppery nose and a bright cherry backbone Dr. Arger combines big Napa flavors with Greek finesse.  Enjoy this wine with Greek food like paidakia (lamb chops), soutzoukakia (meatballs) or even melitzanosalata (smoked eggplant spread).  Learn about more of their artisan wines here.

Be A Tasting Room VIP
This Napa Valley vineyard has a spectacular tasting area run by A & M’s next generation Anthony Arger & Vinni Martucci.  There is a young, laid back feel with boutique California wines to taste.  So if you are heading there from Chestnut St.  Just head over to Lombard St. and over the Golden Gate Bridge. You will be there in about an hour.  You can call ahead to let Anthony know you are on your way and that you discovered A & M at the Mezes Wine Bar.

Mezes welcomes everybody to the Wine Bar open 7 days a week serving the best selection of Greek wines and California boutique wines.  Try them all with Greek food by Chef Nikos Maheras.

Emmanuel Katsaros is an eccentric, fashion genius with Greek roots. When he’s not conditioning his beard he spends his time designing fabulous fashion and accessories for women that enjoy being beautiful.  You might catch a glimpse of Katsaros at the world’s most prestigious fashion events. People are noticing this Greek’s razor sharp sense of style and his pieces are showing up everywhere from fashion week to Lady Gaga.  You also might catch him strolling down Chestnut street to his favorite San Francisco restaurant and wine bar Mezes.   Not to mention, he always appreciates a good selection of Greek wines.

Lady Gaga with E. Katsaros Shades

His luxurious, vintage-inspired pieces are glamorous, humorous and timeless.  He individually makes every item in his limited label. He draws inspiration from the women around him, including his great aunt with “blue hair and far too much red lipstick” as a major inspiration in his work. In a Vogue interview he said his style “key words are: “Confident, tasteful, referenced, darkly humorous add missproportionate.”

San Francisco, get ready for Emmanuel Katsaros fashion.  Are you prepared to look and feel beautiful?!  Maybe he will bring his fashion here to the SF Marina?

Emmanuel Katsaros Winter 2012

There is a long list of divine things that come from Mt. Olympus, but now we can add boutique wines to the list!

The Katsaros family has been producing excellent boutique wines at their majestic winery on the slopes of Mt. Olympus since 1978. They proudly state that they make “wine specifically to [their] own taste”, which is reminiscent of the reds of Bordeaux.

The family is part of an elite group of Greek boutique winemakers that have succeeded in creating a thriving premium wine market in Greece. Wine maker Euripides has taken over the winery and put his own creative spin on things.  He is making a splash in the top wine markets all over the world.

The Katsaros Cabernet Sauvignon is a unique wine with many flavors unique to the Mt. Olympus terroir called Krania. You will notice a wine that is dense, ripe and generous with blackberry, currant and raspberry.  Euripides Katsaros personally came to Mezes on Chestnut St. to introduce his fragrant and luxurious cabernet sauvignon to the San Francisco Marina.

L-R Jimmy Consos, Euripides Katsaros, Carolis Deal, Chef Nikos Maheras

Stunning winery on Mt. Olympus

Sans Liege “The Offering” is now available by the glass in SF at the wine bar at Mezes….

This week we’re psyched to start pouring Sans Liege by award winning wine maker Curt Schachlin!

He created this label after working his way up alongside the industry’s best and he’s offering his allegiance to nobody…  All of his wines are based on varietals from the Rhone region and grown on the California Coast.  The grenache grape is the groundwork of what he does.

We’re popping the corks on his “The Offering” by the glass now at Mezes.  This wine is rated as Wine Spectator’s Top 100 best wines 2011. This luscious California wine slays you instantly by leading with a powerful whiff of smoked meats mingling with berries and finishes off with strawberry jam and spiced chocolate.  We’re letting people take these new tastes on a test drive during Happy Hour (Tues-Fri week from 5-6:30) so stop by and put that rosy glow in your cheeks with some great new wines.

Also, Check out Harvest: The Movie by John Beck premiered last week at Taylor’s Ballroom. It’s an edgy, new documentary on the rough side of the beautiful local wine industry. Instead of the usual focus on vineyards’ views or swirling and sniffing, it highlights the “blood, sweat and tears of making wine”. It gives an intimate look into the stressful times and the moments of triumph of the brutal 2011 season. A film like this will really make you appreciate the delicious glass of wine in your hand and our fabulous selection at Mezes.