Make Me a Match: Part 1

Expert Wine & Cheese Pairings

September 8, 2021

Please note that this is an older article. Any products or services pictured or described may have changed or may no longer be available. Thank you for visiting!

When it comes to finding perfect pairings, who better to ask than the experts? Our talented cheesemongers and wine stewards have a passion for what they do and the training to back it up. What’s more, they’re always happy to help! Try these stunning combos curated by the resident wine and cheese specialists from our stores, and talk to them in person for even more delicious inspiration!

Alta Langa Carboncino + Pasqua Rosso Passimento
Recommended by our West Sacramento wine and cheese team

Carboncino is a three-milk, ash, soft-ripened cheese from Piemonte, Italy, that’s ultra-soft and spreadable. The sheep and goat’s milk give it a tangy, lemony flavor while the cow’s milk provides a mushroomy, buttery finish. Passimento is a unique red blend from Veneto, Italy, made with one of the country’s oldest winemaking techniques. Red grapes are dried before fermentation, creating mouthwatering, medium-intensity flavors and aromas of red plums, cherries and blackberries and a slightly off-dry palate. Together, these Italian delicacies create a heavenly pairing made even better with fresh plums, honey and dried dates.

Point Reyes Gouda + Steiner Roussanne No.19
Recommended by our Fork Lift by Nugget Markets (Cameron Park) wine and cheese team

Handcrafted using traditional methods, this award-winning local gouda is aged 16 months to develop a creamy, slightly crystalline structure with complex notes of caramel and hazelnut. Enjoy with the lush flavors, lovely aromatics and rich texture of this fruity, approachable wine made with grapes from Amador County.

Il Forteto Boschetto al Tartufo + Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti
Recommended by our Corte Madera wine and cheese team

This Italian power couple is perfect for a lazy summer barbecue. The very approachable chianti-style red boasts a vibrant body and beautiful savory finish, while the fresh, semi-soft sheep and cow’s milk cheese is infused with shavings of rare white truffles. Whether you use it on a burger or in truffle mac and cheese, this amazing cheese pairs perfectly with the easy elegance of the wine. Make your family think you worked hard, but let the wine and cheese do all the work for you!

Beecher’s Smoked Flagship Cheddar + Amancaya Red
Recommended by our Roseville (Pleasant Grove Blvd.) wine and cheese team

Two well-known wine-making families from Mendoza, Argentina and Bordeaux, France came together to create this expressive example of what both regions are famous for. With 70% malbec and 30% cabernet sauvignon, it is subtle and elegant on the nose with fresh, bright fruit on the palate and a clean, refined finish. Pair with this 15-month aged cheddar which is smoked over apple and cherry wood to create a robust, nutty and peppery flavor with a surprisingly sweet, fruity finish. Enjoy this warm, savory pairing on a cool fall evening, at a holiday party or any time you want!

El Pastor Original Goat Cheese + Delirium Tremens
Recommended by our El Dorado Hills wine and cheese team

Oftentimes, it’s the simplest, most excellently made foods that make the best meal. Case in point, this Spanish cheese is a triumph of the classic, chèvre-style cheeses. It features little to no gamy character, while boasting a rich, velvet body and bright, tangy acidity that pops! Meanwhile, this highly-carbonated Belgian golden strong ale has aromas of pear and spice on the nose, with initial flavors of sweet banana, a very malty middle and a wonderfully dry and floral finish. Together, they create a brisk and lively treat ideal a bougie barbecue in warmer weather or year-round!

Hungry for more? Keep an eye out for the next two installations of this series coming soon!

Selection may vary by store.

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