Agiorgitiko

Greek lamb souvlaki features tender grilled lamb with Mediterranean herbs, garlic, lemon, and olive oil, typically served with tzatziki and pita. The dish's savory, charred character and aromatic herbs call for wines with structure and bright fruit that can stand up to the lamb while complementing the Mediterranean seasonings, while the beer pairings offer refreshing carbonation that cuts through the richness of the meat.

Moussaka is a hearty Greek casserole featuring layers of eggplant, spiced ground lamb, and a creamy béchamel sauce on top. The rich, savory flavors with notes of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg in the meat layer paired with the creamy béchamel call for wines with good structure and beers with sufficient malt character to complement without overwhelming.

Lamb souvlaki features grilled, marinated lamb with herbs like oregano, garlic, and lemon, creating a savory, slightly charred profile with bright Mediterranean accents. The recommended wines offer tannins and fruit notes that complement the lamb's richness, while the suggested beers provide either malty sweetness or refreshing qualities to balance the dish's savory character and cut through the meat's fat.

Moussaka is a hearty, layered Greek dish typically made with spiced ground lamb, eggplant, potatoes, and a rich béchamel sauce. The combination of savory meat, vegetables, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and creamy topping creates a complex dish that pairs beautifully with medium to full-bodied wines with good acidity and beers with malty complexity.

Sofos (meaning 'wise one' in Greek) brings together international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Greece's noble Agiorgitiko grape to create something truly distinctive. This blend represents the best of both worlds – the familiar structure of Bordeaux varieties with the Mediterranean character that only Greek terroir can provide. Domaine Gioulis cultivates their vineyards at high elevation (850 meters) in the Peloponnese, where cool nights balance warm days to create wines with both ripeness and freshness. Their commitment to organic farming and minimal intervention allows the unique character of this mountainous region to shine through. What's particularly impressive is how they've managed to create a wine that feels simultaneously familiar and exotic – recognizable dark fruit notes are complemented by distinctly Greek herbal and olive nuances. For those looking to venture beyond the usual wine regions without completely abandoning their comfort zone, this bottle offers the perfect balance of discovery and accessibility.

Zoe means 'life' in Greek, and this lively red certainly lives up to its name. The blend of native Agiorgitiko (pronounced ah-yor-YEE-tee-ko) with international Cabernet Sauvignon creates a perfectly balanced everyday wine that's both approachable and distinctly Greek. Produced by Skouras, one of Greece's pioneering modern wineries, this red offers a delightful introduction to Greek wines without any of the intimidation factor. It's the kind of bottle that makes you wonder why you haven't been drinking more Greek wine all along – affordable, food-friendly, and guaranteed to make you sound cultured when you pronounce it correctly at dinner parties.

As the name suggests ('Sofos' means 'wise' in Greek), this is a thoughtfully crafted blend that marries Greece's noble Agiorgitiko grape with the internationally recognized Cabernet Sauvignon. The result? A wine that bridges Old World tradition with modern appeal – pretty wise indeed. This red offers a delicious introduction to Greek winemaking without straying too far from familiar territory. The Agiorgitiko brings bright fruit and a distinctive Mediterranean character, while the Cabernet adds structure and depth. It's the kind of bottle that makes you look smart for discovering it and even smarter for sharing it with friends who appreciate something a bit different from the usual suspects.

Greece's winemaking history stretches back thousands of years, but it's only recently that its indigenous varieties have begun receiving the international recognition they deserve. Agiorgitiko (ah-yor-YEE-ti-ko) – often called the 'Blood of Hercules' – is one of Greece's most important red grapes, and Zacharias showcases it beautifully in their Omikron bottling. Coming from Nemea, Agiorgitiko's spiritual home in the Peloponnese, this wine offers the perfect introduction to Greek reds. It sits somewhere between Merlot's plushness and Sangiovese's savory character – approachable yet distinctive. The Zacharias family has been making wine for generations, combining modern techniques with respect for tradition. The result is a wine that's both authentically Greek and universally appealing – no knowledge of Greek mythology (or pronunciation) required.