Pairing Local Wines & Cheeses

By: Linda Pinkham | September 17 2009
Posted in Rogue Valley - Find It - Rogue Valley

Harvest season has arrived in Southern Oregon. To celebrate the bounty, how about throwing a wine and cheese party for your friends? A few bottles of wine, a selection of cheese, crackers and some fresh slices of local pears and apples are all you need.

Southern Oregon wine, cheese and fruit--a great way to welcome fall.

You can find the perfect wine to complement any cheese at local wineries in the region. Selecting the right wine and cheese for your party can be a separate adventure of its own. Take a look at this map of Southern Oregon wineries and tasting rooms.

The Rogue Valley and surrounding area is home to several artisan cheesemakers whose products are available at their farms, local shops and farmers markets. Pholia Farm near Rogue River specializes in aged cheeses made from raw goat milk. Owner Gianaclis Caldwell recommends trying their Elk Mountain cheese, which is nutty and robust, with Daisy Creek Viogner or EdenVale Malbec. “Cheese is a complicated food with the potential to inspire and satisfy,” Caldwell says.

The Rogue Creamery of Central Point has been handcrafting cheeses since 1935, and makes 15 varieties of Cheddar, as well as their famous Blues. Their Rogue River Blue took best in show this year at the American Cheese Society, beating out 1,326 other entries. Blue cheeses require a full and aged wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah or Port.

For help selecting your wine and cheese, visit the Rogue Creamery on Saturday afternoons, from 1 to 3 p.m. for their wine and cheese tasting. Tom Van Voorhees, manager of the Rogue Creamery cheese shop, says, “Our knowledgeable cheesemongers are happy to make recommendations and give pairing advice.”

Van Voorhees notes that you can “enjoy specialty cheeses, wines, beers, breads and crackers at home for a fraction of the cost...If you’re willing to open your own bottle, serve each other, and tidy up afterward, the very best foods can still fit your budget.”

Cheers to that!

Photo: istockphoto.com/funwithfood