Greek Wine & Food Pairing ~ Part 1

Drink Like A Greek~OPA!
(Meze, Entrée & Wine Pairing)

For decades wine culture as been oversaturated with French and Italian 
wines so it’s high time Greece took its well-deserved place among these titans. 

We live in a time where attention spans are short and everyone’s always looking for the next best thing. 

This time Greek wine actually IS the next—best—thing!

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Greek wine is beginning to explode worldwide (finally!) and for good reason. From its northern regions to its southern islands, Greece has been producing wine for thousands of years so they know what they're doing. 

Each wine-producing area throughout the country is diverse when it comes to prime winemaking soil and microclimate. The fresh Aegean breezes, warm sun and rich volcanic soil of Santorini…the mountain-lake terrain of Velvento with its clay sand, argillaceous clay and limestone…Drama’s dry climate and alkaline clay…the low-plain region of Attica with its gentle winds, low humidity, non-existent frosts, and the brightest sunlight in Greece—these are just a few examples of what makes Greece a formidable contender for, and winner of, numerous awards and nods in the wine industry today. 

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Xinomavro grapes in Velvento, Greece

Xinomavro vineyard, Estate Voyatzi, Velvento, Greece

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A typical Greek wine shelf at Omega Wines & Spirits in Astoria, NY

So many of you have approached us asking which Greek wines are good to serve with, well, just about everything, that we decided this topic was worthy of its own blog. Why an entire blog? Well, in our quest to find and recommend a couple of good wines to friends and followers, our research revealed many amazing Greek spirits that are not just for dinner but for enjoying after a meal, and for serving with various meze (appetizer) platters, lunch, dessert…you get the picture! 

We consulted with experts Irene and Tony Gounaris, owners of Omega Wines & Spirits in Astoria, NY, and they helped us pair today’s cutting-edge wines and spirits with a number of our Greek menu options (all of which will be in our upcoming cookbook)—a difficult task given the countless exceptional Greek wines and spirits available. This sampling is sure to arouse your palate and entice you to set sail on your own exploration of what has just become the hottest buzz!

Picture yourself sipping wine on a mountaintop in Olympus or at a hillside tavern overlooking the Aegean in Santorini—the Ageri (breeze) caresses your face, the warm sun kisses your shoulders, you hear the crunch of the dry soil beneath your sandals, and as you look up you sense the majesty of the sea surrounding you, and you know that you are blessed. You muse that this must be how the ripening grapes in their vineyards must feel too! As you allow yourself to be swept away in this Hellenic utopia, let the following menus, each paired with the perfect glass (or bottle) of Greek wine, take you even further in your quest for paradise. 

We’ll tell you a little about the food in each category and everything you need to know about its perfect pair. These wines are a natural choice with Greek food (but they also play well with other kinds of cuisines)!

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BONUS: 
A Greek wine-lovers special offer awaits you at the end of this blog!

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     A Little Meze, A Little Greek Wine

Taramosalata with pita wedges

Meze 1: 
Cold Platter of Cheese & Dips

Feta, kasseri, Greek olives 
& figs (fresh or dried)

Hummus 

Taramosalata
(carp (fish) roe spread)

Tzatziki
(yogurt-cucumber dip)
​
Melitzanosalata
(eggplant dip)

Recipes for all in our Spreads & Dips  cookbook.

2 Pairing Options:
SEMI-DRY WHITE

Santo Wines  Ageri (Αγέρι)  Semi-Dry White  Santorini island  $17.99 (750ml)
In Greek, Ageri means light breeze. The distinct character of this wine is fresh, aromatic, and restless yet soft, gentle and nervous...just like the wind!! This is how Ageri was born, a white semi-dry wine that is vibrant straw-yellow in color, with notes of citrus and a hint of tropical fruits, such as guava. It is a robust, full-bodied wine with a delicate aroma and long aftertaste. Pairs well with appetizers, light cheeses, fruit, salads, white meat, grilled fish and octopus.

DRY ROSE

Nico Lazaridi  Rosé Nico Lazaridi  Drama  $19.99 (750ml)
Made with Grenache Rouge grapes, this wine is a bright rosé color with violet hues, and aromas of ripe red fruits and spice with a hint of rose. Crisp and lively with a delicious juicy, fruity flavor, yet light with a lingering aftertaste of caramel. Pairs well with cheeses, appetizers, and grilled summer dishes.

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Tyropitakia

Saganaki

Meze 2: 
Hot Cheesey Platters

Tyropitakia
(mini cheese pies)

Spanakopitakia
(mini spinach pies)

Saganaki
(fried Greek cheese flambé)

Recipes for Tyropitakia and Saganaki in our Meze  cookbook.

RED

Domaine Costa Lazaridi  Oenodea Red (Οινωδία Ερυθρός)  Drama  $10.99 (750ml)
(Gold Medal, Mundus Vini 2011, Germany)   
A red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Syrah (20%), and Agiorgitiko (20%) aged in a combination of new and old French oak barrels for 10 months. It has a lively red color and a slight smoky character with aromas of cherries, raspberry, and plum dominating mature tannins. Its finish is laced with notes of oak and vanilla. Pairs well with creamy food, red meat, and rich sauces.

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Keftedakia

Mbourekia me Kima

Dolmadakia me Klimatofilla

Meze 3: 
Hot & Cold Meat Platter 

Keftedakia
(cocktail meatballs)

Mbourekia me Kima
(meat rolls)

Dolmadakia me Klimatofilla
(stuffed grape leaves with beef and rice)

Charcuterie

Recipes in our Meze  cookbook.

RED

Domaine Papagiannakos  Erythros (Ερυθρός)  Attica  $18.99 (750ml)
A careful blend of the Nemea Agiorgitiko (70%) variety of grape along with a small measure of Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) ensures a full body and smoothness to this exceptional red wine. Gold and clear in color with a rich bouquet. Pairs well with cheeses and red meats.

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Greek Wine…it’s what’s for dinner (and lunch too)!

Mydia Gemista

Kavouria me Moustarda

Marides Tiganites

Entrée 1: Seafood

Mydia Gemista 
(stuffed mussels)

Kalamaria me Krasi ke Ntomata 
(sautéed calamari with wine and tomato)

Kavouria me Moustarda 
(steamed crabs with mustard)

Bakaliaro Plaki 
(salted cod with tomatoes and onions)

Tsipoures me Ladolemono 
(porgy or sea-beam fish with olive oil-lemon sauce)

Marides Tiganites 
(fried smelts)

2 Pairing Options:
DRY WHITE

Domaine Skouras  
Skouras Moscofilero (Μοσχοφίλερο) Peloponnese  $15.99 (750ml)
(Gold Medal: Vintage 2011, International Wine Contest Bucharest IWCB 2012 Citadelles du Vin)   Fermented in stainless steel vats. Skin contact for just 4 hours, no malolactic fermentation, and short aging over fine lees. Light white-yellow color. Intense aromas and flavors of white flowers and honeysuckle, rounded out with notes of rose petal and passion fruit. Its refreshing acidity leads to a long finish of orange rind with a hint of white pepper. Pairs well with all seafood, salads, and white meats.

DRY WHITE

Domaine Sigalas  Asirtiko Athiri (Ασύρτικο-Αθήρι)  Santorini  $24.99 (750ml)
Fermented in stainless steel vats. Straw-blonde in color, this Assyrtiko (75%) and Athiri (25%) blend is refreshingly bright with a nose of ripe citrus, lemon, and pear, and has a refreshing acidity with a long, delightful citrus aftertaste. Often referred to as “the king of whites!” 
Pairs well with all seafood and classic Greek recipes.

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Kota Kapama me Fasolia Freska

Psito Kotopoulo me Patates

Psiti Galopoula me Gemisi

Entrée 2: Chicken / Pork

Kota Kapama me Fasolia Freska 
(chicken and string bean casserole)

Psito Kotopoulo me Patates 
(baked lemon-and-oregano chicken with potatoes)

Psiti Galopoula me Gemisi 
(citrus-roasted turkey with beef-and-rice stuffing)

DRY WHITE

Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano (Sabbatiano: Σαββατιανó)  Attica  $15.99 (750ml) 
Bright gold and clear in color, this wine is produced with the savatiano grape and boasts a rich citrus aroma with flavors of peach, pear and vanilla, with medium acidity and a long zesty, fresh aftertaste. Pairs well with all Mediterranean dishes. 

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Pastitsio

Moussaka

Gemistes Piperies

Kouneli Stifado

Souvlaki

Entrée 3: Lamb / Beef / Rabbit

Pastitsio 
(Greek noodle-and-meat pie with béchamel sauce)

Moussaka (layered pie of vegetables, béchamel and meat sauce)

Gemistes Ntomates Ke Piperies 
(stuffed tomatoes peppers)

Papoutsakia 
(stuffed baby eggplants with béchamel sauce)

Psito Arni Me Patates 
(roast lamb with potatoes)

Kouneli Stifado (rabbit stew with pearl onions and red wine)

Souvlaki (shish kabob)

DRY RED

Estate Voyatzi  Xinomavro (Ξινόμαυρο)
Velvento (on the foothills of Pieria Mountains, by Lake Polyfytos)  $24.99 (750ml)  
The local Velvento revival of Xinomavro owes its uniqueness to the distinct terrain of limestone soil, the nearby lake, as well as the use of new-, second- and third-use French and American oak barrels. The result is a strong bouquet with body, structure, and richness—a very different version compared to Naoussa Xinomavro. With equally strong tannins, but milder acidity and a softer character than that of Naoussa, Voyatzis Xinomavro is a more modern approach to the variety.

Ruby red-garnet in color with a distinctive aromatic character of red fruits, mint, licorice, and herbs combines with alternating flavor impressions of plum, blackberry jam, tobacco, oak, and vanilla. Pairs well with meat, mushroom dishes, tomato sauce-based dishes, grilled meats, and cold cuts.

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Spanakopita

Kolokithopita

Anginares me Koukia

Gigantes Plaki

Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson wrote this about Malagousia: 
“Its peachy, apricot and tropical fruit aromas remind me of a mix of Riesling and Viognier. However, on the palate, it is rich and fleshy, with good stony intensity too.” He gave it 89 points!

Entrée 4: Vegetarian

Spanakopita 
(spinach pie)

Tyropita 
(cheese pie)

Kolokithopita
(squash pie with homemade dough)

Imam Baildi 
(stuffed baby eggplants in tomato sauce)

Anginares me Koukia
(artichokes with fava beans)

Gigantes Plaki
(giant baked-bean casserole)

Tourlou
(vegetable stew)

Makarounes
(homemade cavatelli-shaped pasta with onion and olive oil)

WHITE

Domaine Gerovassiliou  Malagousia (Μαλαγουζιά)  Epanomi, Thessaloniki  $25.99 (750ml)  
(Domaine Gerovassiliou was named in the "Top 100 Wineries of 2012," with Malagousia listed in “Top-Scoring Wines” by Wine & Spirits magazine. Both the winery and wine have received countless awards.)  This wine is entirely produced from the Greek grape variety of Malagousia, saved from extinction due to the efforts of Vangelis Gerovassiliou.

Malagousia is partially barrel-fermented and then matured on its lees for a few months, gaining depth in flavor and enhancing floral aromas. Brilliant straw color with greenish shades, and an aroma of matured fruit such as pear, mango, and citrus. Rich flavors of lemon peel enhance the appealing mouth-feel adding a well-balanced finish. Pairs well with Mediterranean dishes, seafood, poultry, light sauced pasta dishes, fresh vegetable dishes, and salads.

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NOTE: Though our focus for this blog is not on beer, we'd like to give an honorable mention to Mythos (Μύθος)—a bright straw-colored lager import from Mythos Brewery in Thessaloniki—which is the most popular beer in Greece and is widely distributed here in the States. Mythos is crisp and slightly bitter, with a refreshing citrus taste that makes it a winner on a hot summer day!

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I hope you enjoyed part 1 of our Greek food-and-wine-pairing adventure. Join us next Monday when we’ll complete this 2-parter with the perfect finish~Greek Spirits, Dessert Wines & Sweets Pairing!

If you have a different food you’d like to get a pairing for, leave us a comment below and we’ll get back to you with a wine match.

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SPECIAL OFFER!
Can’t find these wines in your area? No worries! Omega Wines & Spirits will ship within the United States and you can order online or by phone, 718-726-0056…just tell them Kukla’s Kouzina sent you and you’ll get 10 percent off your wine selections. To order online, enter the coupon code KUKLA.

Thanks to Irene and Tony Gounaris at Omega Wines & Spirits for their help in putting together this delicious wine menu!    

Omega Wines & Spirits is located at 23-18 31st Street in Astoria, NY. Check their website or call for information on in-store special events and wine tastings. Stop by for a visit next time you're in the area and revel in their amazing selections—they'll be happy to recommend a wine for your next occasion!   

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Our glass is lifted to all of you in a traditional Greek toast ~ Stin iyia sou! To your health!

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and be sure to check out part 2 of this series: Greek Spirits, Dessert Wine & Sweets Pairing. See you next Monday!

Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

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