SUMMER VEGETABLE STEWS AND THEIR IDEAL WINE PARTNERS!
The joy of olive oil! Or, in other words, 10 beloved, utterly summery Greek “ladera” (olive oil-based vegetable dishes) and the perfect white, rosé, and red wines to enjoy them just the way they deserve. Of course, truth be told, if you don’t have a childhood memory to fall back on, you’re missing half the experience.
A table set in the backyard, the scent of freshly chopped vegetables, lots of spring onions and herbs plucked straight from the pot, the whole baking tray brought out carefully, with kitchen towels to avoid burning yourself, two kilos of bread (you know exactly what it’s for), and about five liters of olive oil floating over everything (if you’ve got your own olive trees, not only do I want to meet you, but that oil quantity goes to another level!). As deeply entwined with the Greek summer as these images are, the right "ladera" dish also deserves the right wine to shine truly. Here are my suggestions:
1.Green beans in tomato sauce (fasolakia ladera) with Tinaktorogos 2024, Brintzikis Estate Olympia
Tender green beans slowly simmered in a rich tomato sauce with onion, loads of mint, garlic, and plenty of olive oil, a velvety, juicy, sweet yet slightly acidic delight. It calls for a white wine with crisp acidity to cut through the oil and cleanse the palate. Tinaktorogos 2024 from Brintzikis Estate, is ideal with aromas of pear, peach, bergamot, and apple adding freshness and finesse, balancing the sweetness of the tomato and caramelized onions. A hint of mint echoes the herbs, enhancing the dish’s botanical notes. Simple, yet dreamy.
2.Okra with thyme and chicken with Limniona New Age 2021, Zafeirakis Estate
Okra is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of dish, I’m team love. Especially when paired with slowly stewed chicken in sweet, caramelized tomato sauce and the zing of thyme. You could serve it with caviar, and I’d still take the okra. A medium-bodied red like Limniona New Age 2021 from Zafeirakis Estate balances the dish’s oiliness, supports the chicken, and complements the okra’s unique texture. The thyme enhances the wine’s elegant aromas of strawberry, cherry, and pink grapefruit. Please, give okra a chance.
3.Lemony peas with potatoes and carrots with Albariño 2024, Mar de Frades from Rías Baixas
Often dismissed as childhood food, a properly made Greek-style pea dish is packed with flavor from dill, cumin, potatoes, carrot, and lemon. The peas and carrots melt together into a buttery texture, the potatoes add body, and the dill-lemon combo lifts the whole thing. Pair it with Albariño 2024 from Mar de Frades, its notes of white blossoms, tropical fruits, zesty citrus, and refreshing sea breeze elevate this humble dish into something truly special. A classic, with a twist.
4.Giant white beans (Handres) with onions and peppers with Two Islands 2023, Anhydrous Winery
For those who skip beans, there’s always handres! Rich with sautéed onions and sweet bell peppers, soaked in olive oil and infused with fresh basil, this dish is savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly comforting. It pairs perfectly with an aromatic, floral white like the Two Islands 2023 from Anhydrous Winery, a blend of Aidani and Malagousia. The minerality and salty notes from the Aidani cut through the earthy richness of the dish, transporting you straight to the islands and leaving you wondering why you haven’t enjoyed these beans earlier.
5.Briam (Greek ratatouille) roasted in the Oven with Le Vigneron Grec 2024, Papargyriou Estate
Greek briam is our culinary symphony. A medley of summer vegetables, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic all slow-roasted in olive oil until meltingly tender and fragrant. Feta is non-negotiable, and crusty bread is an absolute must for sopping up the juices. Le Vigneron Grec 2024 from Papargyriou Estate is an orange wine with sharp Assyrtiko acidity and gentle tannins from Muscat skins, just right to counterbalance the dish’s richness while amplifying its layered aromas.
6.Stuffed tomatoes with minced meat and rice with Suffragette 2023, Zin Ideos Estate
Stuffed tomatoes (gemista) are sacred in Greek kitchens, with or without meat, is the eternal debate. I’ll go with the meat version, minced beef, fresh tomato, rice, and mint. Juicy, aromatic, and hearty, this dish needs a refined rosé with just enough tannin to stand up to the meat and enough acidity to handle the tomato. Suffragette 2023 (Amassi & Xinomavro) from Zin Ideos Estate fits the bill beautifully delicate, structured, and full of summery charm.
7.Zucchini staffed (Papoutsakia) with sausage, tomato & feta with Rose Arktos 2024, Elevation Vineyards
A bold dish, loaded with flavor spicy sausage, creamy feta, sweet zucchini, and herbs galore, all sautéed before hitting the oven. The wine needs to counter the sausage’s fat, complement the feta’s saltiness, and play with the zucchini’s sweetness. Arktos Rosé 2024 from Elevation Vineyards (Xinomavro) nails it with bright acidity, buttery undertones, and juicy fruit notes that tie everything together. A power couple in a pan.
8.Imam bayildi (Stuffed eggplants) with Reverie Rosé 2024, L’Heritage Korres Yastra from Naxos
Rich, indulgent, and utterly delicious. Eggplants stuffed with onion, garlic, and tomato, slow-cooked until everything melts together. Add a generous sprinkle of chili flakes (trust me) and you’ve got a deeply emotional dish. The heat screams for a fruity rosé enter Reverie Rosé 2024 L’Heritage Korres Yastra with notes of strawberry, cherry, pink grapefruit, rose petals, and peach. Its soft sweetness calms the spice, while the acidity lifts the oiliness. A win-win pairing.
9.Artichokes à la Polita with Kydonitsa Dryopi 2024, Tselepos Estate
Artichokes have a reputation as wine-killers, but with the right prep and the right wine, they shine. Cooked with potatoes, onion, lemon, dill, and a touch of celery, this classic dish is bright, tangy, and deeply herbal. Kydonitsa Dryopi 2024 from Tselepos Estate , with its herbal elegance and balanced acidity, mirrors and enhances these flavors perfectly. Proof that even the trickiest vegetables can find their wine soulmate.
10.Tomato-braised potatoes (Patates Yahni) with Lulu 2024, The Knack Project
Always simple, always satisfying. Chunky potatoes gently stewed in a rich tomato sauce with olive oil, onion, garlic, and parsley. The kind of dish that begs for a big slice of bread and nothing else. Enter Lulu 2024 from The Knack Project a fresh, elegant take on the often-intense Mouhtaro grape. A touch of green, lots of fruit, and the kind of charm that sneaks up on you. A laid-back yet classy pairing that’s perfect for sunny dinners and lazy conversations.
Don’t forget the bread and enjoy every bite!
Christina Tsogka
