Discover the Best Greek Rosé Wines for Your Summer Dinners

With summer around the corner, we wanted to share 4 award-winning Greek Rosé wines, along with some Mediterranean flavor pairings, that will complement your outdoor gatherings in the upcoming months. 

First off, what is Rosé wine and how is it made?

Rosé wine, often simply called rosé, is a type of wine that incorporates some of the color from grape skins but not enough to qualify it as a red wine. It can be made from a wide range of grapes and produced in a variety of styles, ranging from dry to sweet.

Rosé wine is typically made through a process called maceration, where red grape skins are left in contact with the grape juice for a short period, usually a few hours to a couple of days. During this time, the pigments from the grape skins impart color and flavor to the wine. After maceration, the grape juice is separated from the skins and transferred to fermentation vats, where it undergoes fermentation. This is the most common method for making rosé wines!

Our favorite Greek Rosé wines

Greek Rosé wines have been gaining recognition for their quality and diversity, offering a delightful range of flavors that pair well with various cuisines. When pairing Greek rosé wines with food, aim to complement their bright acidity and fruit-forward profiles with dishes that are light, fresh, and full of Mediterranean flavors. 

Gaia 14-18h Agiorgitiko Rosé

Produced by Gaia Wines in Nemea, this rosé wine, made from the indigenous Agiorgitiko grape variety, has earned accolades for its crisp acidity and vibrant fruit flavors. To craft this wine, Gaia leaves the skin in contact with the juice for 14-18 hours, hence its name.

Pair this refreshing rosé with grilled seafood such as shrimp skewers or salmon fillets, as well as light salads with feta cheese and fresh herbs or a red sauce orzo. You can also pair it with this delicious appetizer with seared shrimp and Santorini fava.

Domaine Gerovassiliou Rosé

Hailing from the Epanomi region of northern Greece, this rosé wine by Domaine Gerovassiliou is celebrated for its elegant aroma and delicate palate. Enjoy this aromatic rosé alongside Mediterranean dishes like grilled vegetables, Greek mezze platters, and herbed chicken kebabs.

Besides amazing wines, Domaine Gerovassiliou also has a unique corkscrew museum, showcasing the owner's personal passion & collection...including wine-related utensils from Ancient Greece. Part of the winery tour, the museum is a fun excursion if you're ever in Thessaloniki (Maria's hometown!). You can enjoy a light lunch while admiring the view, too.

Kir-Yianni Akakies Xinomavro Rosé

Made from the Xinomavro grape variety in the Amyndeon region, Kir-Yianni Akakies Rosé has gathered 17 awards and is renowned for its bright acidity and red berry notes.

Pair it with grilled lamb chops, tomato-based pasta dishes like this Pastitsada from Corfu, and Greek spinach pie (Spanakopita).

Alpha Estate Rosé

Produced by Alpha Estate in the Amyndeon region, this wine showcases the versatility of the indigenous Xinomavro grape.

Its lively acidity and crisp finish make it an excellent companion to octopus, seafood risotto, gazpacho soups and Greek-style stuffed peppers (Gemista).

You can also pair it with a Greek-style savory Clafoutis, for an easy but impressve appetizer. Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS FOR GREEK STYLE SAVORY CLAFOUTIS

1 cup milk

3/4 cup flour

3 eggs

a pinch of salt

3-4 red roasted Tragano Greek Organics Capia peppers sliced thinly

1 cup sliced Tragano Greek Organics pitted Kalamata olives sliced in half

1-2 tsp room temperature butter

1-2 sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary or Greek oregano

MAKE THE GREEK STYLE SAVORY CLAFOUTIS

Pre-heat your oven to 350ºF.

Butter a 9” round or square pan or similar sized baking dish.

Mix the first four ingredients in a bowl until you have a nice thick batter.

Add the peppers, olives, herbs and butter and mix until all the ingredients are well-coated.

Pour everything into the dish and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

If you are interested in the world of Greek wines, check out our short guide on Greek wine varieties.