Martha Monday: how to make a perfect wine and cheese spread

A delicious Valentine’s Day spread in all its grandeur

There aren’t a lot of things in this world I love more than wine and cheese, which is why I’m so excited about this post! In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’m creating the perfect wine and cheese spread for a romantic evening in with the help of some very knowledgable pals.

When you have kiddos, it can be difficult to get out of the house on a big date-night holiday like Valentine’s Day (NYE is another toughie). Though hubby and I enjoy dining and entertaining-in anyway, we’re opting to go the easy route this Thursday and enjoy time together at home.

To make sure we have the perfect feast for a special night, I stopped by our local Central Market and was lucky enough to spend an educational afternoon with wine expert, Jonah Curtin, and cheese aficionado, Jeremy Jackson. Jonah and Jeremy gave me a few tastes of the good stuff, and even taught me some basics about wine, cheese and how to make the perfect pairing.

The pairings we tried

Jonah and Jeremy’s approach to the pairings they showed me was to celebrate old world tastes. We sampled wines from Burgundy and Northern Italy, and paired them with complimentary cheeses that really brought out their classic, unique flavors.

Bijou

2011 Domaine Fourrey Chablis and Bijou Aged Goat Cheese Crottin: First off, the Chablis. This light-medium body 100% Chardonnay is fruity, fresh and practically “jumping out of the glass” — as Jonah put it. With a high acidity and hints of green apple and quince, it was the absolutely perfect complement to the creamy Bijou goodness. This goat cheese is moist and dense in the center, becoming much smoother under the rind. I’m a stinky cheese lover, and couldn’t get enough of the ripe, salty yet sweet flavor. The cheese is the jewel (‘Bijou,’ in French) of Vermont Creamery’s arsenal, and is definitely named appropriately! Wine price: $17/Cheese price: $10 (2-pack)

Grana Padano

2011 Cantine dei Marchesi di Incisa della Rocchetta Grignolino d’Asti and Grana Padano. The name of this wine may be a mouthful, but it is definitely a treat for your mouth! I had never tried a Grignolino before, and loved this lighter-bodied blend of rosé and red. This aromatic wine literally smells of cranberries, strawberries and rose petals, but tastes much more savory than you would imagine. And also surprising given it’s initially dainty impression — it’s very acidic, so it’s built for heartier fare like cheese. Jonah chilled this wine before we took a sip, and let me know that doing so gives it more texture and lifts the aromatics. What a treat! We paired it with a hard, nutty cheese very similar to a Parmigiano-Reggiano, but more rich and buttery. It’s loaded with amino-acid crystals, which I love, and I think this pairing was my favorite of the day. Wine price: $20/Cheese price: $9 (8 oz. wedge)

Rochetta

2010 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti Le Orme and Caseificio dell’Alta Langa Rochetta. One of the most classic regional wine and cheese pairings in Italy, this duo is typically found in an Easter cheese course. This medium-bodied red evokes flavors of blackberry, cherry and tea leaves. It’s certainly not sweet, but you can practically taste the fleshy fruit this wine is born from, making it a natural pairing for the delicate, creamy Rochetta. Though this cheese is made from a blend of cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk, I really tasted the goat coming through, which I loved with this wine choice. Wine price: $13/Cheese price: $19 (10 oz. wheel)

Jonah’s wine 101

The wine expert, himself

2013 wine trends: Folks these days seem to be gravitating towards heavier styles of wine that are more cocktail-oriented than focused around meals. South America, California and Spain are in!

The best budget find: Pretty much anything touched by Spanish importer, Jorge Ordóñez. He typically produces Grenache-based wines that are soft and lower in tannic quality.

A special splurge: 2007 Gaja Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino. This is a feminine wine with a masculine touch from the Tuscany region of Italy. Some Oregon wines make the list too, especially the 2008 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir. Note to self for future special occasions!

My pairing philosophy: It doesn’t have to be over-complicated. The pairing shouldn’t be focused on what’s on the protein, but instead what is driving the inherent flavors of the food. You absolutely CAN enjoy a red with a flaky white fish, if their organic flavors are complimentary. When in doubt, choosing opposites — like spicy and fruity — is a good rule of thumb.

Jeremy’s two cents about cheese

The cheese aficionado with some of his favorite things

2013 cheese trends: People are all about value these days, but don’t want to sacrifice quality when it comes to cheese. Folks are still buying the best cheeses, but oftentimes in smaller amounts to keep things more reasonable. American originals like Rogue River Blue are making waves all over the world, too. Go USA!

The best budget find: A Bleu d’Auvergne is a great go-to for a special yet affordable cheese. It’s imported, but runs at around $12/lb., a price that can’t be beat when compared to its French counterparts. It’s dense, rich, creamy and buttery. Yes, please!

A special splurge: Testun Occelli al Tobacco. This cheese produced with cow’s and either sheep’s or goat’s milk is aged 18-24 months before it’s wrapped in tobacco leaves for a distinctive flavor.  It’s a must try for any cheese lover.

My pairing philosophy: It’s all about quality items. As long as you’re pairing a really good wine with a really good cheese, you’re going to be a happy camper. It helps to have an idea in your head before you start, but as long as you stay relaxed and choose great items, you’ll be just fine.

Wow, I learned SO much about wine and cheese from these awesome guys, and I hope you did too! Many thanks to Jonah and Jeremy for taking the time to share their wisdom with us.

If you’re planning your Valentine’s Day feast, you can find any of the items listed here at your local Central Market. And, if you’re in Austin, head on over to Central Market Westgate and say hello to Jonah and Jeremy. They are always happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect pairing. Plus, you can always ask to taste any of these delicious wines and cheeses if you need help making up your mind, and your wish shall be granted.

Happy Valentine’s Day, lovers!

PS: don’t forget to check out my date night playlist if you need help setting the mood for your wine and cheese feast.