Eat and Drink This - West Coast Cheese and Wine

Cheese and Wine.

I recently wrote an article for Dishing Delish that talked about this glorious topic, and it got me thinking about what specific wines and cheeses do I like from the West Coast. So here are my favorites:

Wines I look at:

Sparkling Wine, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are many other varietals grown on the West coast but these are the most popular.

Sparkling Wine

The West coast has some awesome ones.

My favorites:

-  Roederer Estate  - Brut Rose – California

-  Argyle – Brut Willamette Valley – Oregon

-  Schramsberg - Blanc de Blanc – California

Sparkling wine pretty much goes with everything. But for the article we chose to pair it with:

Goat Cheese!

My favorites:

- Cypress Grove Chèvre – Herbs de Humboldt  - California

Their truffle tremor would also be a good choice

- Redwood Hill Farm – California Crottin - California

- Rivers Edge Chèvre – Up in Smoke – Oregon

The Juniper’s Moon is awesome too but would be better with Merlot... make a mental note for that later.

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

The west coast has some lovely Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio.

My favorites:

- Elk Cove Vineyards - Pinot Gris – Oregon

- Alexandra Nichole Cellars – A Squared Nose Pinot Gris – Washington

- Chalk Hill – Pinot Gris – California

I like Pinot Gris or Grigio with a:


farm style, gouda, edam or swiss.

My favorites:

-Willamette Valley Cheese – Smoked Gouda – Oregon

- Cowgirl Creamery – Wagon Wheel – California

These guys are one of my favorite makers of cheese. Every type is good.

- Schoch Family Farmstead – East of Edam – California

Chardonnay

Chardonnay . I personally like those of the no or light oak variety.

My favorites:

- Domaine Serene – Recolte Grand Cru Chardonnay - Oregon

- Crossbarn – Chardonnay – California

- Mouton Noir - Knock on Wood - Oregon

These are light or non existent in work, so something nutty and medium hard in texture is perfect for cheese.  Try an:
Asiago, Manchego, Gruyere or Parmesan or even a mild Cheddar.

My favorites:

- Point Reyes – Toma – California

- Tumelo Farms – Classico – Oregon

- Beecher’s - Flagship Reserve – Washington

Pinot Noir

One of my favorite West Coast varieties. There are some lovely makers of  Pinot.

My favorites:

-  Elk Cove – any of them  - Oregon - Their basic Willamette blend is about $30… The Roosevelt, and La Bohéme are going towards the $60 and up range.  Elk Cove wines are absolutely magical.

- Meiomi – Pinot Noir – California

- Domaine Carneros – Trula Vista Pinot Noir – California

Ok, it’s time! Bring out your:


Brie! 


My favorites:

-  Mt. Townsend Creamery – Trufflestack – Washington

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything these guys do they make gorgeous cheese.

-  Marin French Cheese Co.  -  Triple Crème Brie – California

-  Cowgirl Creamery – Mt. Tam - California

Merlot

I love Merlot.  I think Washington ones are extraordinary.

My favorites:

-Townshend – Merlot –Washington - Townshend is one of my favorite Washington wineries they do lovely wines.

- Dunham – Merlot - Washington - Eric Dunham was one of our favorite wine makers; We thought he was brilliant, his passing last year made us very sad.  You should try his wines. His Syrah is heavenly; his Merlot is beautiful (the label was a drawing by Eric).  Raise your glass to an artist.

- Balboa Winery – Merlot – Washington - Tom Glase is another one of our favorite wine makers, great guy, and fantastic wines. We think he’s one of Washington’s underrated rock stars of Wine. He also makes wines for Beresan.

I love Merlot with a good semi stinky cheese, with washed rind or an aged sheep or goat cheese.  Ex:


Taleggio, Morbier, Epoisses

My favorites:

- Cowgirl Creamery – Redhawk - California
Can you tell I like Cowgirl Creamery? The Red Hawk is on my top 10 favorite cheeses it’s amazing.

- Cascadia Creamery – Sawtooth - Washington

- Briar Rose Creamery – Madrona – Goat’s milk Taleggio style – Oregon

Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s the most popular varietal for a reason. It’s delicious.

My favorites:

- Mark Ryan – Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon – Washington
Mark Ryan McNeilley is our favorite wine maker. We know we’ve said, “one of our favorites” several times in this article… but Mark is it. #1. His wines transport you to another dimension.

- Betz Family Winery – Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon – Washington

- Caymus - 40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon - California

I love Blue Cheese. Blue Cheese and Cabernet Sauvignon together are awesome.

My favorites:

- Rogue Creamery - Smokey Blue – Oregon -When it comes to West Coast blue cheese… Rogue is amazing we love the Oregonzola as well. The Smokey Blue is a historic; award winning cheese… it’s the first smoked Blue of its kind.

- Willapa Hills – Big Boy Blue – Washington

- Pennyroyal Farm – Boonter’s Blue – California - Made with Goat Milk

As I mention in my article for Delish Dish, I believe in eating and drinking what you like. I think of the rules as more guidelines…play and experiment and discover what tastes good to you. Let me know if you discover something brilliant, I want to try it!