Break out your favorite charcuterie board because July 25th is National Wine and Cheese Day y’all! Believe it or not, the pairing of different wines and cheeses has an art to it, and sommeliers know all things wine and are trained and knowledgeable professionals that help people find the right wine for an occasion or to pair with their meal. It takes years of experience, education, and testing to become an established sommelier, and there are very few Black sommeliers (they make up only 11.1% in the industry.) To celebrate their Black excellence as they take up space and this day, we asked some of our favorite sommeliers to share some of their go-to wine and cheese pairings. Check them out and share with us if there’s a pairing that you enjoy most in the comments — happy indulging!
Wade Cellars Three By Wade Chenin Blanc paired with Triple Créme Brie:
“This is one of my favorite pairings; the beautiful acidity and richness of the Chenin Blanc compliments the creaminess of the Brie. There’s gorgeous notes of green apple and bright lemon in the wine, and acts like fruit on the cheese. The acidity in the wine cuts through the brie and prepares your palate for the next amazing bite.”
Grilled cheese and bubbles — a classic: “I recently tried a mini grilled Ricotta and pecorino pancake with a cremant (any of Arnaud Lambert’s will do), and it was divine. Acidity and bubbles from sparkling wines in cooler regions make perfect friends with fried cheese and bread.”
Aged Gouda and orange wine — funky friends: “Apart from the colors matching, these two also share similar tasting notes: nuts, caramel, a slight off-dryness. White grapes fermented with their skin (orange wine) pick up some tannins which match up with the weight of hard cheeses like Gouda.”
Pinot & pizza — perfect party or couch mates: “The red berry wine notes complement tomatoes, acidity cuts through the cheese, and herbs from sauce are harmonious with those in pinot noir. 2019 Chacra Pinot Noir was a perfect mate to my garlic, sun-dried tomato pizza slice.”
Aged Gouda and Alain Ignace, La Tuillere, Vacqueyras Blanc, Rhone Valley, France 2014: “One of my favorite pairings is aged Gouda cheese. Specifically, the cheese is aged 4 years or more. It becomes savory and nutty. My current favorite wine is Alain Ignace, La Tuillere, Vacqueyras Blanc, Rhone Valley, France 2014. The variety is Grenache Blanc. The older vintages create more oxidative quality’s which are perfect for aged Gouda Cheese.”
Aged Gouda and Theopolis Vineyard, Theo-Patra’s Cuvée, White Wine Blend,Yorkville Highlands 2017: “A surprise pairing with Aged Gouda is Theopolis Vineyard, Theo-Patra’s Cuvée, White Wine Blend, Yorkville Highlands 2017. The 2017 is predominately Chardonnay fermented in neutral (no toast) French Oak barrels and sits on the lees for 36 months (this creates more texture and nuisance). It gives a bit of the oxidative flavor profile.”
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