Suggested Paso Robles Pairings from the pros at Stepladder.
Field Recordings Shell Creek or Lone Madrone Petillant Natural with Stepladder Creamery’s Ragged Point – Chenin paired with a peppery, creamy triple cream brie is subtle and delicious, with notes of cultured butter, citrus, and cellar. Once you try the cheese and wine together, upgrade the pairing with sourdough flatbread crackers and apricot jam. Serve at room temperature to capture the full flavor of the cheese.
Robert Hall’s Sauvignon Blanc or Fulldraw Vineyard’s Drift (72% Clairette blanche 28% Grenache blanc) with Point Reyes Bay Blue or A tika from Tomales Farmstead Creamery – these funky, earthy cheeses are the perfect match for the paired fragrant natural wines. Add a slice of fig or pear and honey for a balanced bite.
Herman Story Late Bloomer Grenache or Lost Blue’s Good Fences with Vella Dry Jack or Central Coast Creamery’s Seascape for a rich, nutty, cozy combo. Add in some spicy coppa and some crusty rosemary bread for a mouthwatering experience.
All in all, guests love to be fed and a casual wine and cheese pairing party is an excellent excuse to bring people together in a safe, informal setting with all the fixins. The pandemic is forcing us all to think outside the box when it comes to social interactions, so be mindful of everyone’s comfort level and don’t take it personally if people opt-out of attending. What’s important is creating an opportunity to soak up the simple pleasures, share an experience, and celebrate what we can in the moment.
Many wineries have their own cheese selections in-house and offer outdoor seating to host your own small picnic party, so grab a couple of friends and head to the Copia Vineyards & Winery tasting room in downtown Paso for a wine tasting paired with local cheese. Other wineries offering great cheese and wine pairings include Hunt, Mitchella, Jada, and Le Vigne – who also has a large cheese shop on-site! Or bring your own selection to the gardens at Castoro Cellars to pair with one of their many award-winning wines.
Want to host a party at home without doing the work? Get a curated cheeseboard dropped off locally at your home or office through Farm & Harvest or Cured & Cultivated. According to USAToday, virtual tastings are also a great option to keep your event small and safe. Check out the virtual tasting offerings and at-home wine tasting kits and experiences offered by Paso Robles wineries. That way, even your friends who can’t attend in person can still be included. In summary, we’re pretty sure you can’t go wrong if you start with friends, wine, and cheese.
