Cheese and Wine Pairings
“Wine and cheese are ageless companions” – M.F.K. Fisher
One of the pleasures of exploring, is the thrill in seeking new places to enjoy good company and a great glass of wine. Scardello (www.scardellocheese.com) on Oak Lawn in Dallas, is the perfect place to escape from the summer heat and explore new wines and cheese pairings.
Scardello is a cut-to-order cheese shop boasting almost 150 handmade American and European cheeses. Their selection includes a wide variety produced in Texas.
Your first trip to Scardello can be overwhelming, especially for cheese novices like me. Fortunately, the “Cheese Enthusiasts” were there to guide me. Cheddar is a favorite cheese for my palate so I chose Stag Cheddar from Wisconsin. This variety of cheese pairs well with chardonnay. I chose a chardonnay variety from Le P’Tit Paysan (www.lppwines.com).
LPP’s winemaker, Ian Brand, has taken the unique characteristics of this vineyard to produce a wine reflective of the idiosyncrasies of the rough growing region in Monterey. The labels are designed to catch your eye. Le P’Tit Paysan translated means “little peasant or clown in country fashion”.
Le P’Tit Paysan Jack’s Hill Chardonnay has a smooth, bright taste. Unlike the traditional California Chardonnay which is buttery in taste, this chardonnay is part of a new blend of California wines. The winemakers employ a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak form fermentation to create a citrusy taste.
PositiveVines’ Helpful Tip: Most Chardonnays from California have a round, buttery taste. This is due to the use of French Oak barrels in the fermentation process.
Le P’Tit Paysan Jack’s Hill Chardonnay is a budget-friendly $20 USD. To Scardello’s credit they do not add overhead to the price of wines that they offer. This wine is not found in most local grocery stores. Only 730 cases were produced of the 2013 vintage. You can order it from the LPP website (www.lppwines.com) or ask about it in your local wine store.
Next Friday (7/10), I will be venturing to Specs in Arlington to share some Chilean reds.