Tag Archives: Cheese

December 3, 2012 · 12:27 pm

Host a Holiday Wine and Cheese Tasting Party

Photo of a vineyard in the Loire Valley, France. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

French red wine from the Loire Valley region of Chinon. Predominately Cabernet franc. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are planning a holiday party, you may be interested in some of my favorite wine and cheese pairings.

Wine and goat cheese are a wonderful combination; I have included 3 goat cheese selections.

Cheeses (Photo credit: Smabs Sputzer)

Take the cheese out of the refrigerator and unwrap the pieces to bring them to room temperature; this will fully develop their flavor. Present them on separate cheese boards or plates with one cheese knife for each variety. Displaying their names on a card near the board. Use glass domes for exceptionally fragrant, ripe cheeses so they don’t overwhelm the less fragrant selections.

Here they are:

Le Chevre Noir goat cheese is hard and crumbly and pairs with a Chinon Loire Valley red wine. Aged chevre, typically dry, rich and intense, also works with classic heavy reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chevre Noir (Photo credit: Renée S.)

Chevre Noir (Photo credit: euqus)

A wine cave in the Loire Valley wine region of Chinon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Loire Valley (Photo credit: lightmagic)

Chevreau a flan de coline (Photo credit: Erminig Gwenn)

Drunken Goat was a farmhouse accident. A wheel of chesse rolls into a barrel of wine and the rest is history. This semi-pasteurized goat cheese is from Spain’s Mediterranean Coast. It pairs with a smooth Spanish Red Tempranillo.

Tempranillo varietal wine bottle and glass, showing colour Shot with Nikon D70s (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Truffle Tremor pasteurized goat cheese from Cypress Grove Creamery is made with black truffles. Pairs with a fruity Pinot Noir.

Comte cow cheese from Fort Saint Antoine in the Jura Mountains. Pairs with a big chewy California Cabernet Sauvignon red wine. Buy some Kronos Vineyard Napa Valley Corison if you can.

Corison

Happy Holidays from Vino con Vista

Thirty minutes before guests arrive, uncork the wine to give them time to aerate and develop their flavors and bouquets.

English: Cropped image of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Hedges Vineyards in Red Mountain, Washington. Photo taken August 28th, 2007 with a Kodak z650 camera. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Add some grapes, olives, pears, cured meats, breads, crackers, plain almonds and cashews and dried fruits like figs, dates and apricots to your holiday table. Use your treasured holiday corkscrews and dishware!

Cover your dining room table with your favorite holiday table cloth. Make a fabulous holiday centerpiece with candlesticks: http://youtu.be/8aMRzDHYgb0. I prefer my crystal candlesticks with silver candles. Crank up the holiday music and enjoy the party.

Happy Holidays from www.vino-con-vista.com

Goat cheese from Berry, France (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Tagged as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cheese, Fort Saint Antoine, Goat cheese, Host a Holiday Wine and Cheese Party, Jura Mountains, Pinot noir, Spain, Wine tasting descriptors

June 30, 2012 · 11:24 am

Artisanal Cheese at Carnivale University in Chicago

Manchego cheese (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Broaden your horizons at the Carnivale University Summer School 2012. The first class will begin with Artisanal Cheese 101. Carnivale’s Executive Chef David Dworshak and Sommelier Rebecca Green will lead a tasting featuring artisanal cheeses paired with Spanish and South American wines.

Manchego, blåskimmelost og gedeost (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WHEN: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 6:30 PM-8:30 PM. Reservations Required. Call (312) 850-5005

WHERE: Carnivale 702 West Fulton Market Chicago IL 60661

COST: $25

El Trigal Manchego (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Variety of cheeses on serving platter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stroll around and visit cheese stations from different regions. Featured cheeses will include Ibores, Prairie Blue, Rosemary Manchego and Casa Bolo.

Manchego, cremini and olive on puff pastry (Photo credit: professor evil)

Here’s the yummy Cheese pairing menu:

Ibores paired with Chateau Renni Brut Rose Cava

blue cheese Français : Bleu (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prairie Pure Blue paired with Chono Pinot Noir

Rosemary Manchego paired with Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc

Casa Bolo paired with Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

For more information visit: www.carnivalechicago.com

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

Cheeses (Photo credit: Smabs Sputzer)

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Filed under Artisanal Cheese University at Carnivale in Chicago

Tagged as Artisanal Cheese University at Carnivale in Chicago, Cheese, Food, Manchego, Sauvignon blanc, Wine, Wine and food matching

February 18, 2012 · 11:54 am

Go back to School: Enroll in Eno-Versity at Eno’s Wine Room in Chicago

Image via WikipediaEno Wine Room in ChicagoEno Wine Room in Chicago

Indulge in wine, cheese, and chocolate! Enroll in ENO-VERSITY and learn the basics of wine and become an enophile.

Eno Wine Room at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago

Eno’s Wine Room at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park Hotel on Columbus Drive offers interactive wine classes.

Fairmonot Hotel in Chicago

The experts at Eno-Versity will offer tips on pairing wine with cheese and chocolate.

Eno Wine Room in Chicago

Learn some new tips at the Eno Wine Room and

Sample some luscious wines at their Classes & Events

If you’re ready to immerse yourself in the pleasures of wine, chocolate, and cheese, ENO has the perfect wine class for you.

Eno Wine Room is offering 3 new Enoversity Events:

1. February 21, 2012 – “Mi amore Italiano- I love Italy… it’s beautifully picturesque and sure to romance anyone. what I love even more about this romantic peninsula is the wines. delicious, food friendly and many a new variety to discover. this is a “must drink” for any oenophile.

2. March 20, 2012 – It’s all about Spain… viticulturists and sommeliers love Spain for its ability to grow dark and spicy wines, fresh and light wines, and some of the best dessert wines in the world. you will be sure to enjoy this night!

3. April 17, 2012 - Ring around the Rose…summer is almost here and my favorite beverage on a hot summer night is rose. so many different styles refresh with and cool you down. we will have many countries represented with just as many unique and delicious styles. ahhh…refreshing!!”

Eno Wine Room in Chicago

Eno Wine Room in Chicago

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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Filed under Attractions in Chicago, Cheese and Chocolate Pairing Event in Chicago, Chicago, Chicago Events, Chicago Five-Star Hotels, Chicago Five-Star Restaurants, Chicago Wine Events

Tagged as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cheese, Chicago, Chicago Wine Events at the Fairmont Hotel, Eno-Versity, Wine

January 27, 2012 · 7:59 am

Chicago Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Pairing Event

Katherine Anne Confections will host a decadent Wine, Cheese and Chocolate pairing event.

Where: 2745 W. Armitage in Logan Square in Chicago

When: February 10, 2012 @ 2:00 p.m.

Chocolate, wine, cheese, and beer – great tastes that taste great together. Enjoy an evening of perfect pairings featuring artisan truffles, boutique wines, savory cheese bites, and local brews.

$25 in advance, or $30 at the door. Open-house format.

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