Wine & cheese pairings- The “Art” of Christmas Shopping

December 16, 2011 | Category: General info | Posted by: Brian Evans

The “Art” of Christmas Shopping is your sneak peek into some of the best holiday shopping in Lancaster County. Showcasing some of the finest artisans and shops in the area, we’ll help you find that perfect gift!

A good wine and cheese pairing is a key element in making any holiday party special. Whether you’re trying to figure out what to serve at your own holiday party or what to bring as a hostess gift, pair a great cheese and wine and it’ll be a hit!

At September Farm Cheese, you can get delicious quality cheese. Their all-natural cheeses are made from hormone-free milk from cows raised on their award-winning dairy farm and are free of preservatives. Using their traditional hand crafting, hand waxing, and aging of artisan-style cheeses they have garnered national awards for the past three years.

Their homemade cheese balls are perfect for your holiday party or as a thoughtful hostess gift. They are made fresh weekly by hand using sharp and extra-sharp cheddar and rolled in pecans and parsley. Their flavors for this season include cranberry-honey and garlic herb.

Now, add excellent wine. When you purchase wine from our local wineries, you’ll taste the fruits of Lancaster County. I’ve been to several wineries in the area, and the artistry of Lancaster is reflected through the dedication of our winery owners.

Twin Brook Winery is home to award winning wines that are produced and bottled at their winery. Here you can enjoy the beauty of the vineyards and the Lancaster County landscape. Their wines range from dry to sweet, including Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

When pairing wine and cheeses, it’s best to aim for a sweet and salty balance.

September Farm’s Apple Cinnamon Cheese is a favorite this season. Pair this with Twin Brook’s Spice wine. Its cinnamon and nutmeg will accent this cheese perfectly.

September Farm’s cheddar cheeses go nicely with Twin Brooks award-winning cabernet. Aged in small oak barrels, this cabernet has a spiciness of black pepper that will bring joy to your taste buds!

Waltz Vineyard is known for producing big taste on a little farm. Located on a beautiful hill between Lancaster and Lebanon, Waltz Vineyard has been committed to excellence in wine making utilizing cutting edge technology since 1997.

Waltz is an expert at the art of fermenting, blending and creating wines made only from hand-picked grapes. For a great wine and cheese pairing this season, choose their award-winning white wine, Fusion. This semi-dry white wine brings a fresh and fruity taste that will accent a cheddar cheese perfectly.

Other cheeses from September Farm that are suited for wine pairing include:

Robertson’s extra sharp
Apple cinnamon cheddar
Chili pepper cheddar
Jalapeno Jack
Smoked cheddar
Honey Jack

And, for your next holiday dinner, here is a delicious recipe from September Farm. Homemade macaroni and cheese that your guests are sure to love. Enjoy!

September Farm Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

1/4 cup Butter

1/4 cup Flour

Cook together, with a whisk slowly add 2 cups of milk until heated through.

Add 8-12 ounces of September Farm grated cheddar cheese.

Heat until completely melted and thickened.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour over 1 pound of cooked macaroni noddles.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or hot and bubbly

*Add buttered bread crumbs to the top of the macaroni and cheese before baking.