Lately I’ve been noticing slate cheeseboards are gaining in popularity. I like them because you can write the cheese name in chalk next to where the cheese is placed. This makes it easy for party guests to scope out the selection and it helps the host remember which cheese is which after a few glasses of wine. And, with the offerings below – you and your guests will have a party for your palates even if some overly enthusiastic cheese enthusiast smudges the descriptions once they’re plated up! As a bonus, each cheese has a suggested wine pairing so you can sip and savor simultaneously. All of the suggested wines are from our Top 10 Wines for the holidays and they're all under $15. That means you can buy more cheese!
BONHOMME FRENCH BRIEThe mushroom aromas and luscious creaminess in this superbly flavored cheese, the best of Normandy from Isigny Ste. Mère, help celebrate the fresh palate of Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut.ROBUSTOFor the ultimate party-season pair, relish the nuttiness of this sharp, Gouda-style Dutch cheese with the distinct citrus notes of Benziger Family Sauvignon Blanc.VERMONT CREAMERY CREMONTThe nuttiness of its rind reveals a soft, mixed cow’s and goat's milk cheese with a crème fraîche finish. It’s a buttery, dynamic pairing with Pacific Rim Riesling.
HERVÉ MONS CAMEMBERTThe classic, earthy pungency and saltiness of this indulgent favorite highlight the richness and decadent hint of vanilla in Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay.CYPRESS GROVE HUMBOLDT FOGNamed for the fog that rolls into the California county where it's made, a layer of ash makes this soft-ripened aged goat cheese distinctive with Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay.SEASIDE CHEDDARMilk from cows that graze on the coast gives this classic aged English cheddar a sweet flavor and characteristic crunch, ideal with Chateau Grand Claret Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Rasteau Les Peyrières.
CYPRESS GROVE TRUFFLE TREMORMade with the finest truffles, the silky texture and deep flavor of this goat's milk cheese become light and fruity with Earthstone Sonoma County Merlot.ROGUE CREAMERY OREGON BLUEHand selected for Whole Foods Market®, a sweet, buttery Oregon blue. Brings out and balances the dense, spicy flavors in Tarima Organic Monastrell.MANCHEGOSheep's milk brings a touch of sweetness to this traditional Spanish cheese. Savored with Innovac!òn Malbec-Tempranillo, it makes the wine more juicy and complex.
LE GRUYÈRE RESERVETraditional Swiss cheese making at its best! The complex nuttiness of this holiday treasure highlights the currant and crabapple flavors of Don & Sons Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.ROQUEFORTSouthern France's most beloved sheep's milk blue is deservedly famous for its amazing complexity, crumbly texture and tangy flavor. Ideal with both Rasteau Les Peyrières and Römerhof Beerenauslese.
STILTONWe've hand-selected this creamy, complex classic from two of its remaining six producers. After more than 200 years, the world famous blue is still hand-crafted in the English countryside. Savor with Cantora Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon.BOROUGH MARKET CHEDDARFrom London's oldest outdoor market comes this quintessential English cheddar. Aged 12 to 13 months, the results are sharp and creamy. Perfect with H&G Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon.Need more holiday inspiration? Visit our holiday hub.Love all things cheese? Follow @WFMCheese on twitter. What are some of your favorite cheeses to serve during the holidays?
