Discover our award winning wines and food experiences at English Newsom Cellars! Toast and taste with a flight of five exquisite wines and an artisan cheese pairing.
It is widely believed among wine historians that this concept originated in the early winemaking days in France. Many cheese and wine varietals have grown up together, oftentimes on the same farm or within a small village. Thus, a complicated, nuanced culinary art has developed from this ancient practice.
We invite you to experience the warm hospitality and elegant ambiance of a seated cheese and wine pairing.
~ Dry Riesling & Gruyere ~
Gruyere is a hard cow’s milk cheese produced primarily in the Alps of Switzerland, but also largely in France. During the aging process, the wheels of cheese are brushed with salt water, giving the otherwise subtle cheese a slight saltiness. This pulls out the minerality of the Dry Riesling, a wine otherwise exploding with fruit flavors such white peach, apples, lemon, and nectarine. Having a creamy subtleness, Gruyere is ideally suited to Dry Riesling’s high acidity and short finish.
~ Albariño & Parmesean ~
Parmesan is a hard, brittle and crumbly cheese. It is dense and flaky with a pale yellow color. It comes with a strong aroma and an extremely sharp, tangy and salty taste to compliment the tropical and fruity notes of the Albariño. With simple notes of apple, pear and saline, this light bodied wine leaves a medium finish to compliment the lingering saltiness of the cheese.
~ Merlot & Swiss ~
Originating in Switzerland, Swiss cheese has a nutty yet sweet flavor with a distinct aroma. The mild taste of swiss goes well with the fruitier textures of merlot and offset the acidity. Flavors of young plum, pomegranate, black tea, and cinnamon, combine to balance and soften this classic Bordeaux variety. This combo is another bold selection as both the wine and the cheese are flavorful and aromatic and the result is a complementary duo of complex flavors and sensations.
~ Sagrantino & Cheddar ~
On the palate, you can expect to experience notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla. If you’re looking for a cheese to pair with a Merlot, a sharp cheddar will do the trick. The bold sharp flavors of cheddar contrast nicely with the rich and smooth characteristics of a Merlot. In this case, the Merlot will really showcase the bold flavors of the cheese, bringing out the sharpness but also the more subtle nutty flavors. As Merlot is a crowd favorite in the wine world, sharp cheddar is also a crowd favorite in the cheese world. You can’t go wrong with this match made in wine and cheese heaven!
~ Rainy Rosé & Havarti ~
Havarti is a semi-soft, Danish-style cheese made from cow's milk and can be easily sliced, grilled or melted. Havarti’s smooth surface, creamy texture and sweet, buttery flavor is the perfect contrast for the steely minerality of the Rainy Rose. Incredible flavors of watermelon, blue raspberry candy and kiwi create the most perfect bouquet of fruit and flowers. The mellow flavor of the cheese and the crispiness of the wine act as a sort of yin and yang with each other. Though these grapes and cheeses come from all over the world, they are the perfect tools to showcase what the Texas High Plains has to offer!
