There are few things better than a good wine and cheese pairing. Growing up and living within minutes of Napa Valley wine country and having been through the wine making process myself in my parent’s vineyard, I have come to love both the taste and science, equally.
Everyone loves a fabulous wine and cheese platter but having the right ingredients makes all the difference. As we approach the tail end of spring bordering on summer, a light and crisp white wine has been my go-to. This wine is lovely for summer as we tend to gear toward lighter meals and pairs quite well with a variety of cheeses. Here I have chose the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio. I like pairing this with seafood, lean protein and pastas, as well.
Traditionally, I have followed pairing guidelines that I learned during my first visit to Napa- white wines pair best with soft cheeses and stronger flavors while reds match with hard and milder cheeses. However, I have come to find that having a good quality white wine and a variety of fresh, exotic well-aged cheeses has been the recipe for a successful pairing.
I began with choosing a variety of crackers. I like using Carr’s assorted crackers or Whole Foods’ Assorted Entertainment Crackers. Both come with a variety of choices- from water crackers to crumbly and buttery ones. Of course you can get creative and make your own. Choosing a variety of fresh, exotic cheeses allows guests to choose to their liking. Here I have included a Piave, one of my new favorite hard cheeses and recommended to me at the farmers market cheese stand. It has a mild and slightly sweet taste that will satisfy guests craving a sweeter affair. I have also included a classic Brie, which always happens to be a crowd pleaser for those looking for creamy and savory.