The Red and Black

Drink specials in Athens don't have to mean $1 shots of tequila and drunk students stumbling around a dirty bar.

There are certainly other ways to enjoy a drink.

Some bars are trying new types of drink specials that cater to a different crowd.

The Arch, a bar on the corner of Washington and Lumpkin, will hold its first wine tasting Wednesday.

"It's not your average night out," said Chris Williams, co-owner of the bar.

He said the bar had a champagne tasting function before the holidays, and the wine tasting evening will follow the same format.

The cost includes tasting five wines from five different regions, one that is bottomless all night and hors d'oeuvres from the Basil Press.

Guests are also asked to dress in semi-formal attire.

"It's a good excuse to get dressed up and do something different," said Williams, who has been to wine tastings in both Napa Valley and in Atlanta.

He said the bar is putting on the tasting to cater to a wider crowd in Athens and so people in and around town can have the opportunity to be educated about fine wine.

Lee Stennes, another co-owner of the bar, said he and the other owners will educate the guests about the various wines themselves.

"You get to learn a little bit about wine, and then it turns into a nice cocktail party," he said.

Aroma's, a wine bar that also serves desserts, coffee and light tapas, has been holding wine tastings every Thursday night for about the last five months, said general manager, Christy Hussain.

However, the venue is trying to focus on one tasting a month, Hussain said.

The tasting Thursday, Feb. 2 will feature seven to eight Italian wines from various regions in Italy.

Included in the price, guests will have the opportunity to taste the wine while they hear a brief description. They will also be able to discuss wine and ask questions.

Claire Banham, a junior from Houston, Texas, said wine tasting sounds fun and interesting to her. She said she has been to a tasting at Aroma's before and that she enjoyed the experience.

"I enjoy wine, and I also like learning about it," she said.

However, not all students feel the same.

Jora Vaso, a senior from Albania, said she drinks wine often but doesn't think she would go to a wine tasting.

"It just seems like too much work," she said.

Vaso, who has also been to a wine tasting before, said that she prefers to just sit down and relax with a glass of wine on her own.

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