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Love at First Bite: Cheese, Food, and Wine Pairings for a Romantic Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to impress your special someone than with the perfect pairing of curated cheese, gourmet spreads, and a little local Niagara wine? Good food has a way of bringing people together, and with a little help from our friends at Foreign Affair Winery and Fielding Estate Winery, the right wine can set the stage for a truly romantic night. Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner at home or indulging in one of our signature platters, these effortless pairings are sure to wow and impress.

Brie with Fresh Strawberries

Creamy Brie is always a crowd-pleaser, but pair it with fresh, juicy strawberries, and you’ve got magic. The sweetness of the strawberries cuts through the richness of the cheese, making every bite feel balanced and indulgent. It’s a simple yet impressive choice for an appetizer or a light snack to kick off the evening.

Wine Pairing: A glass of Foreign Affair Sparkling Rosé Brut adds a fun, bubbly touch that perfectly compliments Brie’s creaminess.

Goat Cheese with Honey & Walnuts

Goat cheese, honey, and walnuts are a match made in foodie heaven. The tangy cheese paired with the sweetness of honey and the crunch of walnuts feels fancy without being fussy. Serve it as is, or toss it on a salad if you want to mix things up. Either way, it’s guaranteed to impress.

Wine Pairing: Fielding Estate Winery’s 2023 Chardonnay Unoaked is light and refreshing, making it a great companion to the honey’s sweetness and the cheese’s tang.

Camembert with Apple Slices

If you’re after something fresh but still indulgent, try pairing creamy Camembert with crisp apple slices. The tartness of the apple balances out the buttery richness of the cheese for a light yet flavourful combo. (Pro tip: Experiment with different apple varieties to find the perfect match!)

Wine Pairing: The Foreign Affair’s 2022 Appassimento Riesling is a sweet, dessert-style wine that pairs beautifully with the apples’ tartness and the cheese’s mild flavour.

Aged Gouda with Dried Fruit & Nuts

Aged Gouda has a rich, caramel-like flavour that pairs beautifully with dried fruits like apricots and figs, complimented by a handful of crunchy nuts. Think trail mix, but gourmet. This combo brings a little sweet, a little savoury, and a whole lot of texture to your plate.

Wine Pairing: Fielding Estate Winery’s 2020 CHOSEN FEW  adds depth to the pairing with its bold, complex notes of sage and clove.

Fresh Mozzarella and Prosciutto – For a pairing that’s as elegant as it is satisfying, fresh mozzarella and prosciutto are a perfect match. The creamy, delicate flavour of mozzarella balances beautifully with the savoury, melt-in-your-mouth saltiness of prosciutto. This timeless duo is effortlessly sophisticated and ideal for creating a memorable appetizer or snack that feels indulgent without being complicated. 

Wine Pairing: Fielding Estate Winery’s  2021 Red Conception is versatile enough to match the saltiness of the salami and the creaminess of the mozzarella, making it the perfect choice for this combo.

At CHZ PLZ, we believe love deserves to be celebrated with good food. So whether you’re recreating these pairings at home or letting us handle the details with one of our signature platters or hors d’oeuvres, we’re here to make your Valentine’s Day effortless and memorable. 

Call us to book your Valentine’s Day platter or order it here and make this year’s celebration extra special!

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