Tag Archives: wine cheese pairing
Jean Perrin
Morbier AOP
Onetik
Ossau-Iraty AOC
Pyrenees, FranceJuly Cheese Club: Iowa
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
Toma
Point Reyes Station, California
In Italian, Toma means “wheel of cheese made by the farmer herself.” What better way to describe this, Point Reyes’s most versatile, any time, any table cheese. It’s an all natural, pasteurized, semi-hard cheese that is creamy in texture with a waxed rind. It is creamy and buttery in flavor and has a grassy, tang finish.
USE & PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
The perfect any time snacking cheese, Toma is excellent for melting into pasta or risotto or in grilled cheese sandwiches. Grate on top of grilled vegetables, burgers or soups. Pair with sweet (peaches, fruit compotes), savory (toasted nuts, sautéed greens) and serve with hop-heavy beers, Pinot Noir or barrel-aged scotch. Toma loves an Old Fashioned cocktail or a Mai Tai!
WINESTYLES: Bold or Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Hoppy
FACTS:
- Made from pasteurized, rBST-free cows’ milk
- Made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet
- Aged for 90 days
- Gluten Free
- 2024 CA State Fair, Best of California
- 2023 CA State Fair, Gold Medal
- 2023 US Championship Cheese, 3rd Place
- 2022 World Cheese Awards – Silver
- 2022 CA State Fair, Best of California
- 2020 Good Food Awards – Best Cheese
- See all other awards here
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
TomaTruffle
Point Reyes Station, California
TomaTruffle is the perfect combination of classic Toma paired with the aromatic flavors of Italian Black Truffles from Umbria. Reminiscent of undergrowth, fresh strawberries, dried fruit and a hint of cocoa, the earthy flavor marries beautifully with the buttery richness of Toma. This semi-hard cheese is creamy in texture with a waxed rind. The distinct, aromatic flavor or truffles combines with Toma’s signature flavor for an earthy, buttery delight. TomaTruffle is the perfect decadent cheese for any celebration!
USE & PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Great as a snacking cheese or perfect for melting on eggs, sprinkled on warm potato chips or just enjoyed on its own with a glass of dry sparkling wine.!
WINESTYLES: Rich or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Crisp & Clean
FACTS:
- Made from pasteurized, rBST-free cows’ milk
- Made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet
- Aged for 90 days
- Gluten Free
- 2024 Good Food Awards
- 2024 CA State Fair, Gold
- 2023 International Cheese and Dairy Awards, Silver
- 2022 CA State Fair, Best of California
- 2022 World Cheese Awards – Silver
- 2022 World Champion Cheese Contest, Best of Class/Top 20 Cheeses
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
June Sweet Club: Iowa
Risata
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato Bianco di Canelli
Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Risata Moscato d’Asti is seductively sweet, boasting juicy stone fruit, tart citrus and floral honey flavors. It’s a fresh and fragrant wine.
Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato Bianco di Canelli
Perfect Pairings: Appetizers, tiramisu or a kid-free staycation
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Reach for a soft cheese such as a brie. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Mix Things Up – Wine Cocktails!
Risata Cosmo Punch:
- 2 parts Risata Moscato d’Asti
- 2 parts ginger ale
- 1 part vodka
- 1 part frozen pink lemonade
- 1 part cranberry juice
- .5 part Triple Sec
Directions:
- In a large pitcher or a large punch bowl, combine all ingredients. Serve drinks over ice and enjoy as yummy summer sipper!
Risata
Peach
Moscato
Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Savor the lusciousness of Risata Peach, a semi-sweet wine, bursting with flavors of ripe, juicy peaches and a hint of apricot. Light-bodied and crisp on the finish, this refreshing wine is best served chilled.
Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
Perfect Pairings: Salads, cake or a night of “me time”
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair this fruity, semi-sweet wine with a rich, nutty hard cheese such as Parmigiano Reggiano. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Mix Things Up – Wine Cocktails!
Peach Sangria:
(Makes 4-5 servings)
- 1 part Risata Peach Wine
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 peach, sliced
- 1 cup berries
- 1/3 cup orange liqueur
- 1 cup club soda
- garnish: edible flowers
Directions:
- Add fruit and orange liqueur to a pitcher and gently muddle with a wooden spoon. Add Risata Peach wine, club soda, and ice, then stir. Divide into glasses and serve with edible flowers, if desired. Credit: The Social Sipper.
Risata
Blueberry
Brachetto
Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Relish in the wild and fresh flavor of Risata Blueberry, a refreshing semi-sweet wine, with intense flavors of fresh blueberry and a soft hint of cherry. Serve lightly chilled.
Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Brachetto
Perfect Pairings: Fresh fruit, grilled meats, or a little late night retail therapy.
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: For a savory cheese pairing, reach for a feta cheese. The saltiness of this cheese can enhance the sweetness of the blueberries and create an interesting savory contrast. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Mix Things Up – Wine Cocktails!
Blueberry Wine Slushie:
(Makes 4 servings)
- 2 cups Risata Blueberry wine
- 3 cups frozen mixed berries
- ¼ cup elderflower liqueur
- 1 cup ice
- garnish: berries, edible flowers
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Divide into glasses and garnish with frozen berries and edible flowers, if desired. Enjoy immediately. Credit: The Social Sipper.
About the Winery:
The word ‘Risata’ means ‘laughter’ in Italian. The team behind Risata thought it would be fitting for a line of delightfully sweet and bubbly wines made to be enjoyed on nearly any occasion. Sourced from the finest vineyards in Italy, Risata wines are premium quality wines that are designed to elevate any moment. Their Moscato d’Asta was introduced to the U.S. in 2006 and has grown to be the most sought after Moscato d’Asti in the country. These wines are delicious on their own or mixed into a tantalizing cocktail! Learn more here.
Photo and Information © Risata – All Rights Reserved
Love the Sweet life?June Cheese Club: Iowa
Artequeso
Manchego Artesano D.O.P.
Semi-Curado
La Mancha, Spain
Made in the heart of Spain’s La Mancha region, Artequeso’s Manchego cheese is a taste of tradition. Crafted on the La Prudenciana Estate using milk from their herd of 1,000 Manchego sheep, this cheese has arrived to the US with great accolades, it was even featured on Mario Batali’s “Spain…On the Road Again” show. Aged for 4 months, it boasts a mild yet flavorful taste with a soft, stretchy texture.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: As they say, what grows together, goes together! Enjoy this Spanish cheese with any of our June Wine Club wines from Spain. It will also pair nicely with an unoaked Chardonnay. If you prefer red, pair with a good Tempranillo, Malbec or Chianti. For our beer lovers, we have two different recommendations to pair with this delicious cheese: Ciders or Malty beers… choose your own adventure!
WINESTYLES: Rich, Bold or Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Sour, Tart & Funky or Malty & Sweet
PRODUCTION: This unparalleled raw milk Manchego is exclusively produced using sheep’s milk collected from local herds. Once the milk is collected, Artequeso Manchego cheese is produced following only the strictest of artisan traditions, during which cheesemaker Alfonso Alvarez and his staff keep absolute control over each step of the cheesemaking process; this includes curd cutting, whey drainage, salting, and finally drying. Once the process is complete, each wheel is carefully tended to during the affinage process, with particular attention to controlled temperature and humidity levels.
ABOUT ARTEQUESO:
Artequeso is a family-run business dedicated to producing high-quality cheese in La Mancha, Spain. Utilizing traditional methods and the finest Manchega sheep’s milk, they have crafted a reputation for excellence. Their products reflect a commitment to authenticity, heritage, and environmental sustainability, embodying the rich culinary tradition of the region. Artequeso’s cheeses are celebrated for their distinct flavors and textures, achieved through meticulous care in every step of the cheesemaking process. For more details, click here.
Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co. and Artequeso- All Rights Reserved.
Hook’s Cheese Company Inc.
Five-Year Aged Cheddar
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Made with pasteurized cow’s milk, featuring a vegetarian rennet, Hook’s Five-Year Aged Cheddar Cheese is a customer favorite. It is sharp, acidic, and a perfect accompaniment to any cheese board. It is made in five-pound blocks, which allows the cheese to develop rich, complex flavors over time. In some years, delicate proteins form crunchy pockets of caramelized goodness.
FOOD PAIRING: Make a yummy cheese and charcuterie board with dried fruits, bitter chocolate, quince paste, olives, pate, cornichon pickles, grained mustard, peppadew peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, assorted salami, and prosciutto.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing this cheese with white wines, reach for a Riesling, Chardonnay or anything with bubbles. For a red wine, grab a Syrah or Pinot Noir. For our beer lovers out there, enjoy with a Saison, Cider or Belgian Ale; and if you want to get really fancy with it, pair this cheese with your favorite Bourbon!
WINESTYLES: Rich or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Crisp & Clean
© Photo by Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
May Cheese Club: Iowa
Le Superbe
Jura Montagne
Switzerland
Although many mountain cheeses have a similar basic nuttiness, they all have amazing subtleties of flavor and texture. Jura Montagne has a profoundly beefy, and savory smell with hints of toasted bread and grass. Jura Montagne is a small wheel in comparison to many mountain cheeses. The wheel has a natural rind that is formed from salting, turning and then brining the outside during affinage which gives the wheel its piquant finish.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Enjoy with Rich style white wines, or pair with a craft beer Ale.
WINESTYLES: Rich
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean
Information and photo © Zuercher & Co. and Le Superbe – All Rights Reserved.
Fior delle Alpi
(Flower of the Alps
Switzerland
Fior delle Alpi or Flower of the Alps, is a deliciously flavorful raw cow’s milk cheese from the mountains of Switzerland. Made with milk from cows who graze on lush mountain grass and meadow herbs results in a fruity and gently spiced cheese with a subtle crunch. Fior delle Alpi, is matured for up to 12 months and has a rich oniony flavor, very savory, like a brothy stew.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Enjoy with lighter white and red wines or Pilsner craft beer.
WINESTYLES: Crisp & Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean
Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
May Sweet Club: Iowa
Carl Sittmann
Riesling
Mosel, Germany
NECTAR WINE STYLE
The Carl Sittmann Riesling features notes of green apples, pears, and apricots on the nose. Its sweet peach and apple flavors are delicately offset by crisp acidity, ensuring the wine remains elegantly refreshing and not overly sweet.
Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Region: Mosel, Germany
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Reach for a tangy goat’s milk cheese to complement the wine’s acidity and fruity notes. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Photo and Information © Carl Sittmann – All Rights Reserved
Terra d’Oro
Moscato
Amador County, California
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Inviting aromas of honey, white peach, honeysuckle, pineapple and lemon zest lead into vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple and a hint of anise. The wine has a pleasing viscosity on the palate and finishes with fresh acidity. This makes the Terra d’Oro Moscato extremely versatile and enjoyable with a meal as well as after it. Try it with spicy Asian cuisine, or a fruit tart.
Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
Acidity: 0.63 g/100mL
pH: 3.27
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: If you’re looking for a dessert pairing, mascarpone cheese topped with some tart fruit jam is a fantastic choice. Its creamy texture and mild flavor with a punch from the jam will pair well with the sweetness of Moscato, making it suitable for desserts or as a simple, luxurious treat. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Vineyard Notes:
Moscato, also called Muscat, is grown in nearly every wine-producing region in the world, resulting in an array of styles. It is believed the name derived from the French word “Musque”, meaning “perfumed”— a fitting moniker for this intensely aromatic variety. Grapes were sourced from several select vineyards to create a wine with that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
Winemaker Notes:
When making the Moscato, the goal was to craft a wine that is full of flavor with perceptible sweetness, yet is still light on the palate. The Terra d’Oro Moscato is crafted in a different manner than their other varietals. Grapes are destemmed and crushed in stainless steel tanks and left overnight before pressing. This “cap and drain” method keeps the grapes in contact with their skins for an extended period, delivering greater varietal intensity. After gentle pressing, 70% of the juice is inoculated with yeast. The remaining unfermented juice is kept at a very low temperature and then added back into the blend after fermentation to create a lightly sweet and refreshing wine with a lower alcohol.
About the Winery:
Amador’s first winery established after Prohibition was founded in 1970 by renowned winemaker Cary Gott, and he released the first wines under the Terra d’Oro label in 1973. Terra d’Oro’s early success with Amador Zinfandel and other wines, in particular Italian varietals, were key in helping re-establish the region’s reputation for fine wine. In 1988, the Trinchero family, which had been purchasing grapes from the Amador region for 20 years, purchased the winery and 240-acre vineyard. Over the years, the family invested in subsequent vineyards, and in early 2000, completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art winery at the site of the original winery, designed to unlock the potential of each acre of Terra d’Oro’s vineyards. Today, Terra d’Oro farms produces award-winning wines from its 800+ acres of sustainably farmed vines in Amador County and the Clarksburg AVA. Learn more about their sustainable practices here.
Photo and Information © Terra d’Oro Winery – All Rights Reserved
April Cheese Club: Iowa
Mitica®
Pecorino Toscano D.O.P.
Semi-hard Sheep Milk
Tuscany, Italy
Pecorino Toscano is an origin-protected cheese that is made from the milk of sheep that graze a diverse terrain, allowing them to produce a thick, rich milk. Though not as salty and sharp as Pecorino Romano, it is aged to the point at which its creamy flavor and smooth consistency give way to a sharper, more complex mix of flavor and a denser texture (aged minimum of 6 months). Delicious with a variety of Tuscan recipes, especially when grated on most pasta dishes and risottos. Also delicious to grate a few shavings on soups and fresh salads. Most importantly, it pairs beautifully with Mitica’s Honeycomb selection (see below).
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
What grows together, goes together! For wine, pair with any of our 2024 April Wine Club Selections. For beer, grab a Pale Ale to cleanse your palate or a Saison – with fruity & spicy notes – to complement the subtle sheep’s milk flavors without overwhelming them.
WINESTYLES: Bold, Silky & Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy
Information and photo © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.
Mitica®
Pure Natural Honeycomb
Italy
Brothers Fabrizio and Pierpaola have been tending bees and collecting honey for over 20 years. They designed innovative, rectangular forms to fit within the hive, into which the bees build the honeycomb directly. It is a wonderful way to experience this light and floral honey in its pure form, without any processing.
HOW TO EAT HONEYCOMB:
Enjoying honeycomb is an adventure in texture and taste, offering a pure, unprocessed glimpse into the wonders of nature’s sweetness. Both the honey and the wax of the honeycomb are entirely edible, in fact, the wax is packed with a ton of beneficial nutrients. To begin, cut a small piece from the comb—about the size of a teaspoon is perfect for starters. You can eat it directly, chew it like gum to savor the sweet honey, and then swallow the wax or discreetly discard it if you prefer. Honeycomb pairs excellently with a variety of foods; try spreading it over warm toast, allowing the honey to melt for a rich, indulgent treat, or pair it with cheese, such this month’s Pecorino Toscano Cheese Club selection (above).
Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co., Forever Cheese, Gees Bees & Asheville Bee Charmer – All Rights Reserved.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
April Sweet Club: Iowa
Stella Rosa
Stella Royale Rosso
Veneto, Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
With its higher alcohol content, yet still smooth finish, Stella Rosa Royale retains that delicious semi-sweet nature with its fresh natural flavors of raspberries, strawberries and other red berries. This is the perfect wine to pair with any food, just remember to serve it chilled.
Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Primary Grape Varietal: Barbera, Brachetto, Nebbiolo
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: A creamy, yet tangy, blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort can provide a bold flavor contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
About the Winery:
It all started in 1917, when the Riboli family founded Los Angeles’ historic San Antonio Winery. Back then, Los Angeles was the prime location for wine growing in all of California. For some time, the wine industry reigned as one of Southern California’s most economically significant and popular industries of that time. After surviving Prohibition and about a century later, the Riboli family has continued its artisan winemaking tradition through four generations. Within the tasting rooms of San Antonio Winery, customers repeatedly requested a sweeter, light, refreshing wine. The Riboli family took this unique opportunity to create a new semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine style, which today, they are the leader. And so, Stella Rosa was born. Learn more here.
Wine Cocktail: Berry Regal
Try this delicious wine cocktail at your next brunch:
- 2 oz Stella Rosa Royale
- 1 oz Grand Marnier
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 1 cup frozen blackberries
- agave (to taste)
- Add Grand Marnier, frozen fruits, and agave to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass and stir in Stella Rosa® Royale.
Photo and Information © Stella Rosa and San Antonio Winery – All Rights Reserved
Vietti
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Castiglione Falletto, Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Bright straw-yellow in color with slightly shimmering hints of gold. This wine has intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit (peach and apricot), floral notes (rose petals and acacia flowers) and ginger. Sweet and delicate on the palate, with the modest acidity, good balance and complexity. Hints of fresh apricot on the finish.
Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The nutty and salty flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano can provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Its firm texture and complex flavor profile make it an excellent pairing option. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Winemaking:
The grapes are sourced from small vineyards in Castiglione Tinella, with 4,500 plants per hectare. The vines, cultivated with the Guyot-system have an average age of 40 years. Limestone and clay-rich soil.
The grapes are harvested by hand in and around late August/early September. The vinification begins with a gentle pressing of the grapes and natural cold decanting. The must is stored at a very low temperature in stainless-steel tanks to avoid spontaneous fermentation. Throughout the year, individual portions of the must are put in an autoclave at a temperature of 12-14 degrees to initiate alcohol fermentation. When 5.5% alcohol by volume is reached, the temperature is quickly reduced to stop the fermentation. The wine, which is only partially fermented, is then filtered. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is bottled using sterile filtration, to maintain its natural freshness, aromas and fine bubbles.
About the Winery:
Almost 150 years have passed since its foundation. It was the end of 1800 when Carlo Vietti started the Vietti winery, right in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto. In the very same place where it is located today. Vietti is renowned for its commitment to crafting exceptional wines that express the unique terroir of Piedmont. From their iconic Barolo to elegant Barbera and beyond, each bottle reflects a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation. Embracing sustainable practices, Vietti’s vineyards yield grapes of unparalleled quality, resulting in wines that captivate enthusiasts worldwide. Passion, heritage, and a deep connection to the land define Vietti, making it a cherished gem of Italian winemaking. Learn more here.
Photo and Information © Vietti – All Rights Reserved
Casa Forcello
White Watermelon Mostarda
Casa Forcello
Pear Mostarda
