The art of winemaking has been central to Greek culture for thousands of years. The region is home to over 75 classifications of grapes that are used to produce the fantastic wines that are featured on wine lists across Greek restaurants in Townson, MD. With hundreds of small islands as well as a vast mainland, the Greek landscape is incredibly diverse, resulting in a variety of unique libations.
At The Black Olive, we are dedicated to enhancing the culinary experience for our guests by combining authentic Greek dishes with beautiful wine pairings. Mediterranean cuisine is full of rich flavor profiles that run the gamut from hearty lamb chops to delicate seafood dishes. Our staff strives to educate guests on the best wine pairings to complete each course for an unforgettable dining experience.
Celebrate Greek viticulture with us by learning how to pair common varieties of Greek wine with our traditional dishes. In the following article, we will only scratch the surface of the long-standing wine tradition that is still thriving throughout Greece. Continue reading for some excellent wine pairing tips from our team.
In the Mediterranean, there is no shortage of fresh seafood. If you find oysters on the halfshell as decadent as we do, you know that this luxurious appetizer takes a complex palette to truly appreciate. The key is therefore, to enhance the mildly salty, mineral taste that comes through with a wine that amplifies these flavors. We recommend pairing freshly shucked oysters with a dry white wine that has slight mineral undertones such as the assyrtiko variety cultivated on the island of Santorini.
Souvlaki is a classic Greek dish that many people do not know how to approach when the wine list comes out. The combination of rich sauces and succulent meat requires a full-bodied red that does not get lost in the meal. An agiorgitiko is the perfect pairing for this type of dish. This bold red comes from a small village in the Southern part of mainland Greece.
The acidic dressing that is served with most Greek salads can be difficult to pair with a bold wine. For this reason, it is always best to go with something light that reveals subtle hints of citrus. Liatiko is a great white wine to start your meal with alongside our crisp romaine, village, or avocado salad. This widely known grape is grown in the Northern region of Greece in low temperatures relative to the Greek islands or Peloponnese region.
Similar to its neighboring countries, Spain and Italy; Greece is home to some of the most vibrant, flavorful produce on the planet. With that said, it is no surprise that the Greek people have always highlighted their vegetables as the stars of many traditional dishes. From freshly made hummus to indulgent melitzanosalata, the vegetable-based dishes in Greek cuisine offer bold flavors, hints of spice, and a slight acidic flavor. Xinomavro is an excellent red wine variety to pair with this complex flavor profile.
The Black Olive is the most authentic Greek restaurant in Townson, MD. Visit our restaurant to explore our exciting wine selection.
