SACRAMENTO, CA
Grenache is a light friendly red wine with a slightly floral taste. Since it is a fairly versatile wine, I paired it with three cheeses working my way from mild to sharp.
Wine:
Grenache, Domaine, Cristia, France, 2011
Cheeses:
Somerdale’s Harlech
Cypress Grove Chevre’s Midnight Moon
Manchego, imported from Spain by Tony’s Fine Foods
From left to right: Somerdale’s Harlech, Cypress Grove Chevre’s Midnight Moon, Manchego imported by Tony’s Fine Foods
Somerdale’s Harlech is an English cheddar cheese made with horseradish and parsley that comes from Somerset, UK. This creamy cheese has an intense flavor and aroma. Interestingly enough, it was my favorite cheese of the day and least favorite pairing. The wine’s light taste was completely overpowered.
Cypress Grove Chevre’s Midnight Moon is an aged, firm goat milk cheese that comes from Holland. This smooth cheese has a slight nutty flavor and paired wonderfully with the Grenache, highlighting the flavors of both. This was my favorite pairing of the mix.
Manchego is an exclusive cheese imported by Tony’s Fine Foods from Spain. This Sheep Milk Cheese was aged three months and has a gentle flavor that paired nicely with the lightness of the Grenache.
Be sure to check back for more wine and cheese pairings.
