Wine bar inspired by Greek philosopher to open in south London

A wine bar inspired by Greek philosopher Diogenes, one of the founders of cynic philosophy, is to open in Elephant and Castle in south London next month.

Sunny Hodge, owner of wine bar Diogenes the Dog

As reported by Eater, Diogenes the Dog will open on Rodney Road on 4 November and will offer wines imported directly from boutique growers around the world, shining a light on lesser known grapes and regions.

The bar is the brainchild of Sunny Hodge, a mechanical engineering graduate who, prior to the bar, worked at struggling steak chain Gaucho as host and welfare manager then at Margot in Covent Garden as assistant restaurant manager.

Diogenes the Dog is named after Greek philosopher Diogenes, a pioneer of cynic philosophy, which, contrary to the current use of the word, championed the idea of living a simple life in accordance with nature and free from possessions.

By the 19^th century, emphasis on the negative aspects of Cynic philosophy led to the modern understanding of cynicism to mean a disbelief in the sincerity and goodness of human motives and actions.

“Diogenes the Dog is a unique and personal experience – a small opening in the world of wine allowing the undiscovered to be savoured with thought and without pretension,” Hodge told Eater.

Some of the quirky wines on pour will be Hibernal 2017 from Winnica Turnau in Poland; Messina Hofs Blanc du Bois from Texas; and Ixe Tempranillo from Tuscany.

The list will divide the wines in terms of their body, texture and ‘tone’ rather than grouping them by region.

All of the wines will be available to buy to take home and hungry hounds can mop up the alcohol with charcuterie from Cannon and Cannon.