Albany's Greek wine passport worth stamping
Downtown Albany · Albany · Traditional Greek and Mediterranean
Reviewed June 16, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Athos doesn't try to be everything — it tries to be Greece, and mostly succeeds. You flip it open and immediately see Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Moschofilero — grapes that most Albany restaurants couldn't pick out of a lineup. That focus earns immediate respect.
The list runs 60-plus labels with a clear Greek-first philosophy, leaning on the country's three strongest wine regions: Santorini for whites, Naoussa for reds, and Nemea for the middle ground. Producers like Sigalas and Kir-Yianni anchor the credibility here — these aren't random imports picked off a distributor sheet, they're legitimate names. There's some international filler rounding out the list, but the Greek selections are the reason you're here. Gaps exist in aged wines and anything approaching a cellar program, but for a taverna in Albany, the depth is genuinely impressive.
The glass program runs 6-10 options in the $10-$14 range, which is reasonable for the market. We'd love to see Assyrtiko available by the glass consistently — it's the obvious anchor pour and perfect with half the menu. Rotation appears limited, so don't expect anything seasonal or surprising in the pour list.
Kir-Yianni Xinomavro, Naoussa — $45
Xinomavro is often called the Nebbiolo of Greece — structured, savory, built for food — and Kir-Yianni is the benchmark producer. Finding it at a fair restaurant markup in Albany is the kind of thing that makes you order a second bottle.
Moschofilero, Mantinia
Most tables walk past this one in favor of a safe Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, and that's a mistake. Moschofilero is floral, crisp, and has a slightly spicy edge that makes it one of the more interesting white grapes in the world. Order it before anyone else at the table does.
International variety filler wines
Whatever generic Cabernet or Chardonnay landed on this list to comfort the unadventurous — skip it. You're at a Greek restaurant with legitimate Greek producers on the menu. There's zero reason to order something you could get at any Applebee's.
Sigalas Assyrtiko, Santorini + Saganaki
Flaming cheese needs a wine with enough acidity to cut the fat and enough minerality to stand up to the salt. Assyrtiko from Santorini — volcanic, lean, searingly acidic — is basically engineered for exactly this moment.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Athos isn't trying to build the most ambitious wine program in New York State — it's trying to give you an honest Greek wine experience to go with honest Greek food, and it largely delivers. If you're eating moussaka and lamb in Albany, this is where your glass should be.
Downtown/Clinton Square · Albany · Modern Mexican / Latin-inspired
Ama Cocina isn't a destination wine bar, but it's a Wild Card worth respecting — a food-forward Latin spot that actually thought about its wine list instead of phoning it in. Come for the tacos, order the Albariño, and be pleasantly surprised.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Warehouse District/Riverfront · Albany · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Shaker & Vine is Albany's best argument for the self-pour wine bar format — the markup is shockingly fair, the riverside setting earns its keep, and the list is approachable without being embarrassing. Don't come hunting for rare producers, but do come for a relaxed pour with a view.
Solid Range
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Colonie · Albany · Classic Italian-American
Lombardo's wine list is the culinary equivalent of a comfortable booth — nothing revelatory, but nothing offensive, and it gets the job done alongside a plate of baked ziti. Send a friend here for the food and tell them to order the Barolo if they want to feel like they tried.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse / Lounge
677 Prime Lounge is the wine list equivalent of a perfectly cooked strip steak — nothing surprising, nothing wrong, everything exactly where you expect it to be. If you're in Albany and someone else is buying, order the Silver Oak and enjoy the room; if you're watching your tab, lean on Jordan and don't let them upsell you to Caymus.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Modern American fine dining with Indonesian accents
Yono's is the best wine program in Albany and it's not particularly close — a thousand-label cellar, a sommelier who knows it, and a room built for the occasion. The markups are real and the by-the-glass list plays it safer than the cellar deserves, but if you're willing to lean on the staff and spend a little, this is one of the more serious wine experiences in upstate New York.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Albany · Albany · American
The Hollywood Brown Derby won't blow any wine minds, but it prices fairly, stocks a few genuine bottles worth ordering, and doesn't embarrass itself. Send a friend here for a steakhouse dinner and tell them to skip the Pinot Grigio.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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