Say Cheese!
We all know that very few things pair as well with wine as cheese. But have you ever planned a "wine and cheese" evening and wondered which cheese to buy to complement your wine? Well, wonder no more... The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board recently launched Cheese Cupid, an interactive web site that provides cheese pairing suggestions for a variety of beverages. Buying some bubbly? Try a rich, creamy Brie or buttery Gouda. Sampling some Cabernet Sauvignon? Opt for a sharp blue cheese or a simple Swiss. Serving up stout beers? Go for a pungent aged Brick cheese or sharp Provolone. So next time your sampling wines at home -- or bringing a cheese platter to a party -- go see what the Cheese Cupid recommends and make the right choice.
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Wine and Chocolate
Wine and chocolate can be a match made in heaven... if paired correctly. With that in mind, we thought we'd provide a few tips for successfully pairing wine with chocolate. Overview: Your wine should be at least as sweet, or a touch sweeter, than the accompanying chocolate. General Rule: Match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines. Stronger chocolates should be consumed with more full-bodied wine. Pairing Suggestions:
- White chocolate -- Because white chocolate tends to be more mellow and buttery, try a Sherry, a Moscato d'Asti, or an Orange Muscat.
- Milk chocolate -- For a bar of milk chocolate, a creamy chocolate mousse or chocolate accented cheesecake, try a Pinot Noir or a lighter-bodied Merlot. If the milk chocolate is mild, you also could try a Riesling, Muscat, or other dessert wine.
- Dark or bittersweet chocolate -- You'll need a wine that offers a roasted, slightly bitter flavor, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel.
And if you're planning a Wine and Chocolate Tasting, make sure you start with your lighter (such as white chocolate) and end with a dark or bittersweet chocolate. |
