You just got home from work, and it’s time to relax! You’ve already chosen the wine. Now it’s time to figure out which cheese to select. Cheese enhances wine deliciously, and I love to experiment with the large assortment we have to choose from here at Nino’s.

When selecting a wine and cheese pairing, it’s important to think about the texture of the cheese. For instance, a creamy Hudson Valley Camembert would complement a creamy Chardonnay from California or perhaps France. One of my favorite cheeses is the Parmigiano Reggiano, with its nutty, toasty flavor that screams for a dry, red Italian Barbaresco, Merlot or a Cabernet Sauvignon. Then there’s the famous Roquefort Blue Cheese that has a spicy and salty flavor and pairs perfectly with wines that have a lot of sweetness, such as a Sauterne from France or Moscato d’Asti.

Here are a couple of wine and cheese suggestions:

Pecorino Toscano Cheese- Italy

Fresh Pecorino cheese is mild and moist with just a little sweetness. A young, crisp white like the Gran Passione Falanghina is a perfect match.

Roquefort Cheese- France

France’s most famous blue cheese is bold and spicy with a little salt, and my mouth waters for a rich dessert wine like the Chateau Guiraud Sauterne. It’s not only delicious and sweet, with flavors of toasted almonds and white peach, but also rich and creamy with a slight touch of ginger spice on the end. 

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling really hungry. I need a piece of fresh bread, a slice of cheese and some wine.

Enjoy!

Simone