Greek Wines to Pair With Pizza

Tara Smith selects some of her favorite wines from her Greek-centric collection to accompany their naturally-leavened pizza.

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photos: will blunt

Assyrtiko, Domaine Ligas, Pella, Greece, 2018

This epic, Greek white wine can be hard to come by since Ligas only produces 25,000 bottles a year, at most. The normally racy Assyrtiko takes on a more mature character after 50 percent of the wine matures in used Selosse Champagne oak barrels for 12 months. Aromas of kumquat and toasted sourdough make this a must-have at Martha Dear.

Pair It With: White Pie: Mozzarella, Kefalograviera, Myzithra, Mozzarella, Garlic, and Basil (add Anchovies)

Vidiano, Silva Daskalaki, “Grifos,” Crete, Greece, 2019 

Coming out of Crete, this organic beauty has extended skin contact and is aged in both amphora and oak. The texture imparted from the aging process makes this wine a standout among Greek skin-contact wines. Aromas of peach, apricot, and fresh herbs interplay in this golden female-made baddie.

Pair it With: Spinach, Mushroom, and Halloumi Pie

Limniona, Kontozisis, “A-Grafo” Pet-Nat, Thessaly, Greece, 2020

Thanks to influential winemakers like Andreas Kontozisis, limniona wines are front and center on the international stage. His Limniona “A-Grafo” Petillant Naturel is an undeniable food wine. Imagine a forest floor covered with blackberries and the bubbles never stopping.

Pair it With: Marinara, Pepperoni, Spinach, and Basil Pie

Kotsifali/Mandilaria, Domaine Paterianakis, “Melissokipos,” Crete, Greece, 2020

The third generation of the Paterianaki family, sisters, Emmanouela and Nicky, are responsible for this terroir-driven Martha Dear favorite. Equal parts Kotsifali and Mandilaria, native Cretan varietals, this wine is packed with flavors of black cherries, plum, and toasted caraway.

Pair it With: Fennel Chile Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pie

tara smith of martha dear

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