Food Before Love was given the opportunity to attend an exclusive five-course dinner and wine tasting at NYC Midtown Manhattan’s Ousia restaurant. Naoussa’s food and wine pairing experience showcased its authentic Mediterranean cuisine paired with the distinctive flavors of Greece’s own Xinomavro Naoussa red wines.
What a way to end a busy day in NYC – with a food and wine pairing event that virtually whisked me away to indulge in the delicious flavors of Greece for a few hours!
I must admit, typically I’m a white wine kinda girl and red wine isn’t my first choice unless it’s a sangria! So, learning more about the nuances of red wine and wines in general to step out of my comfort zone was exciting.
About Ousia
Fairly new on the restaurant scene, Ousia was able to create such a warm and cozy vibe even though the size itself is actually spacious. I exhaled as I entered the venue and the city’s hustle and bustle melted away. I couldn’t wait to experience how each Greek dish meshed with each red wine.
The Wines
Some background on the showcased wine: Naoussa is a town in the hills of Macedonia, northern Greece. The classic Naoussa wine featured in the evening’s event was a structured, savory red wine made exclusively from Macedonia’s flagship red-wine grape, Xinomavro. Top-quality Naoussa wine ranks among Greece’s very finest red wines.
There was also an introduction of the evening’s wine experts. They were a team of Greek wine insiders, distributing partners and winery owners. Per the wine connoisseurs at the event, Naoussa wines are 11-13 percent alcohol, which allows for a flavor that isn’t too heavy and makes them great pairing partners no matter the cuisine.
The Food
Warm, delicious pita breads were placed on the table and refreshed all night. This was dangerous for me because I literally wanted to nibble on them the entire evening!
First, we ate Beef Tartare, which was plated beautifully with hummus. This dish was so fresh and flavorful and savory, off to a great start! The wine pairing, Vaeni Co-op (Naoussa, 2015) was insanely smooth. I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed this red wine.
Next was a delicious Kale Salad that was a nice mix of pomegranate, roast chicken, quinoa and ginger. I loved how the robust Argatia (Naoussa, 2013) wine pairing balanced out the bittersweet flavors of the salad.
I had baked gigantes (beans) with sausage, tomato, cumin and rosemary for the third course. This is a traditional Greek dish. According to the native Greek people present at the dinner, Ousia’s version was very authentic. The dish certainly was hearty and I enjoyed it paired with the sweetness of the Kokinos Wine (Naoussa, 2014). It had such an intoxicating aroma and was my favorite of the evening.
What’s Greek cuisine without lamb? This course consisted of the most succulent and tender lamb chops seasoned to perfection paired with a spinach and tomato casserole. The Vaeni Co-op Grande Reserve (Naoussa, 2012) it was paired with was an excellent choice. The smoothest red wine I’ve experienced.
For the final course, we ended this amazing tasting with a cheese plate. An assortment of soft, sweet cheeses with a serving of sour cherries in a sticky glaze reminiscent of cheese cake. It was paired with a Damascenos 2015 wine that balanced out the sweetness very well!
Bottom Line
I can absolutely say I am a fan of Greek red wines after sampling the food and wine pairings. Ousia executed each dish nicely and I’d recommend them to anyone seeking a delicious Mediterranean meal. I look forward to exploring more Greek wine selections!
What are your favorite food and wine pairing? We’d love to know if you’ll try a Greek red wine at your next dining experience and especially if you visit Ousia!
