Xinomavro is a red grape varietal, hailing from Greece. It’s one of the country’s better-known grapes and is also one of the most planted – Agiorgitiko pips it to the top spot in terms of hectares cultivated. The name essentially translates to “sour/acid black”, which gives some clue as to what pairings you should look for. Classic Xinomavro wines could be compared to wines made from Nebbiolo: they are full-bodied, complex, highly acidic and tannic.
These characteristics make it a natural pairing for meat. If you’re a vegetarian and you’ve picked up a bottle of Xinomavro, any hearty dish with complex, savory flavors will do – think along the lines of mushroom risotto. Another top tip is to pair this wine with Greek food, particularly dishes from the Naoussa region, where Xinomavro is planted everywhere!
Meat That Pairs Well With Xinomavro
While you can also buy Xinomavro in rosé form, a classic red Xinomavro wine is nothing if not bold. Its intense tannins and refreshing acidity scream out for meats packed with fat and protein. Lamb is an iconic pairing – thanks to Xinomavro’s depth of flavor, pretty much any lamb dish fits the bill. You can also pair it with a simple beef steak, veal, rich pork sausages or a meaty stew. Poultry can also be a beautiful match, so long as the surrounding flavors serve to enhance the wine’s profile – think about pairing Xinomavro with a herby roast chicken.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Xinomavro
Xinomavro often features nutty background notes, as well as some wonderfully earthy elements. You need a cheese that can enhance these notes, and match the wine’s intensity. We’re specifically going to recommend aged cheeses, such as aged versions of gouda or cheddar. Nutty and salty chunks of Parmesan are also fantastic and will bring out the best side of the wine and the cheese. In this vein of hard, nutty cheeses, you can also think about pairing Xinomavro with Manchego, Pecorino or Grana Padano.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Xinomavro
Xinomavro is more of a main course wine than an aperitif – but that doesn’t mean you can’t pair it with snacks. In fact, pairing it with a variety of different finger foods may be the best way to explore every facet of this complex wine. Classic Greek bites like olives or stuffed vine leaves (also known as dolmadakia) are a great way to start. If you don’t mind mixing Greek and Italian cuisine, Xinomavro would also be excellent alongside some carpaccio meats, or a plate of hard, aged cheese. With salty and briny appetizers like this, Xinomavro can serve as a wonderfully refreshing burst of acidity, replenishing the palate.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Xinomavro
There are some brilliant regional vegetarian pairings to start off with. Of course, you should be looking for the earthy flavors of mushrooms, roasted vegetables or lentils to match Xinomavro’s boldness. Moussaka is a delicious Greek dish, created with baked eggplant and potatoes. It can easily be made vegetarian by substituting minced beef for lentils. Gyros is another classic Greek dish that can match Xinomavro in terms of spice and can be made vegetarian with a meat substitute, or by simply leaving the meat out. Mushroom risotto is another great option, expanding on the wine’s earthy side. You also can’t go wrong with a reliable tomato-based pasta dish.
Herbs That Pair Well With Xinomavro
If you’re cooking a dish from scratch, try to include some ingredients that will match and elaborate on the herb and spice flavors in the wine. We recommend using herbs like bay leaf, oregano, tarragon, clove star anise and perhaps a splash of balsamic vinegar. You can also load your dish with spices like paprika and black pepper.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Xinomavro
As a general rule, avoid pairing delicate or oily fish dishes with bold red wines like Xinomavro. It can create an unpleasant, slightly metallic taste as the tannins and oils mingle in your mouth. Pungent, ripe cheeses like goat’s cheese or blue cheese are also probably best avoided.
Best Foods To Eat With Xinomavro
To maximize your Xinomavro experience, go for hearty dishes with relatively simple flavoring that can match the wine’s intensity and allow its full range of flavor to shine through.
- Lamb (Herby Rack of Lamb, Lamb Koftas, etc.)
- Moussaka
- Mushroom Risotto
- Stuffed Vine Leaves
- Aged Cheese
