Food, wine, and conversation are all a part of the Greek-Mediterranean dining experience. So, the combination of cheese and wine is an excellent one. However, knowing the right one to serve makes the experience all the more beautiful and memorable. The best part about this combination is that they can be served during a casual get-together or as a part of a larger tableau. Whichever you choose, it promises to give the best experience as long as you have suitable ones that complement one another.
Let’s check out some of the typical Greek cheeses and the wines that perfectly complement them.
Manouri Cheese
This cheese is a delicious, alabaster-white, buttery sheep’s whey cheese. It is shaped like a large cylinder and has a texture and flavor similar to the ricotta salata. The Manouri cheese is mainly produced on the Greek mainland in Thessaly. It has a milky and creamy taste. This makes it perfect as a table cheese. Several Greek wines complement this cheese. They include:
- Assyrtiko: It is a crisp and acidic white wine from Santorini, which makes it perfect for the creamy texture of the cheese without overpowering it.
- Moschofilero: This is a fragrant and floral white wine with hints of stone fruit and citrus.
- Xinomavro is an indigenous Greek red wine famous for its dark fruit flavors, earthy undertones, and robust tannins.
- Agiorgitiko: This medium-bodied red wine from Nemea includes velvety tannins, spice, and red fruit flavors.
Kaseri Cheese
It is one of the most famous Greek table cheeses. It is produced in four regions: Macedonia, Lesvos, Thrace, and Thessaly. The best kasseri is made from 100% sheep’s milk. However, up to 10% cow’s and goat’s milk may be added. As a result, the cheese is usually mellow, mild, and has a faintly sweet flavor. Also, it is lightly salted and has a pliant and semi-hard texture.
Some wines best suit this cheese include Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, and Retsina. Retsina is a traditional Greek wine flavored with pine resin and has distinctive herbal notes and a slight resinous character.
Graviera Cheese
This is another versatile and delicious Greek table cheese. It is produced in various places in Greece from cows’ milk. It is a pale yellow cheese with a buttery flavor that is sweet and mild to sharp and nutty. The flavor notes are strong depending on its age and where it is produced. It is a fantastic dessert cheese, especially with drizzling Greek thyme honey.
It is best served with Greek wines like Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, and Retsina.
Feta Cheese
This is a salted, brine-aged white sheep or sheep’s and goats’ milk cheese. It is never made with cow’s milk and can be challenging, soft, toothsome, or creamy. Whether soft or hard, all of it is acidic and salty, too. It can make Greek salads, savory phyllo pies, and other cooked dishes. It can be paired with Greek wines like Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, and Savatiano.
Greece is famous for its delicious and traditional delicacies. So, if you want to try out simple dishes like cheese or more complex ones and wines, visit Krasi in the Back Bay. You get to explore regional pairings, enhance your experience, and provide insights into the different flavors of Greek cuisine and wine culture.
