Perfect Cheese and Wine Pairings for a Delightful Summer Treat
Summer is the season of vibrant flavours and delightful indulgences. And what better way to savour the season than by exploring the world of cheese and wine pairings? From fresh and young cheeses to mature and aged ones, the summer brings forth a plethora of delectable options. In this blog post, I will delve into some exceptional cheese recommendations for the season and suggest drink pairings that are sure to elevate your culinary experience.
Burrata: A Creamy Mozzarella Twist
Burrata, an artisan Mozzarella-style cheese, offers a delightful twist to your taste buds. Crafted from cows' milk curd, this cheese is stretched into a ball and then transformed into a pouch filled with cream and scraps of Mozzarella curd. The resulting creamy centre adds a luscious texture to the familiar Mozzarella.
For a refreshing summer treat, enjoy Burrata for breakfast or lunch paired with fresh fruit, chestnut honey, and a glass of light sparkling wine, like our Fedora Prosecco. The effervescence of the wine will complement the cheese's creamy richness.
Valençay: Ancient Goat's Milk Delight
Valençay, a renowned pyramid goat's milk cheese from the Loire Valley in France, has been a part of French culinary heritage since the 8th century. When freshly made, Valençay is covered with vegetable ash, aiding the development of a natural rind. The young cheese boasts a snowy-white colour, a slightly crumbly texture, and a tangy flavour. As it ages, the cheese's paste turns ivory, and its character evolves into a more sophisticated profile, exhibiting nutty, creamy, and lingering notes. Pair Valençay with light white wines, particularly those from the Loire Valley, like our stunning Sauvignon Blanc from Domaine de la Rochette, to enhance its delicate flavours and tanginess.
Cironé 24 Months: A Swiss Delicacy with Complexity
Cironé is an extra-mature Swiss cheese made from raw cow's milk. Comparable in flavour to the famous Comté, this cheese stands out due to its minimum 2-year aging period under varying maturing conditions. The result is a cheese with a firm, compact paste, abundant crunchy protein crystals, and an extraordinary complexity of flavours. Cironé delights with sweet nutty notes and hints of caramel. For an indulgent experience, savour this cheese slowly alongside a glass of complex premium white, like the lightly oaky Macon-Perronne from Burgundy or complex red wine, like the fabulous Fabulas Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. The interplay of flavours between the cheese and the wine will leave you captivated.
Summer is the perfect time to explore the world of cheese and wine pairings. Whether you opt for the fresh and young flavours of Burrata and Valençay or the mature complexity of Cironé, these seasonal cheeses offer a delightful culinary journey. Be sure to enhance your experience by choosing suitable wine pairings such as fruity sparkling wines for Burrata, light white wines for Valençay, and premium complex whites or reds for Cironé.
Let’s embrace the joys of summer with these delectable combinations that will tantalize your taste buds and create memorable moments of gastronomic delight. Cheers to a summer filled with cheese and wine adventures!
The Cheese Lady x
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