Gewerz and cheese? I say yes...

[Jeffy]

Here's my rationale for three courses:

I want to sandwich two Ontario wines with a new Rioja that just came out.

1)Wild Mushroom soup with white truffle oil - Chateau desCharmes Pinot Noir 05

2) Herb stuffed braised leg of lamb: 2001, Rioja from Ondarre (delicious! Get. This. Wine. - At the LCBO here in the Ontario it's only just over $15!)

3) Sheep's Milk cheeses; and a Gewurz reserve from Peelee island...

Everyone is telling me "No!" The cheeses will simply overwhelm the Gewurz, and if you must do another Ontario wine, choose something big like a baco noir.

A restaurant where I worked almost always paired their cheese plate with a fruity white, to cut the spiciness of the cheese. Often a riesling.

Also, I don't want to finish a meal with a massive wine. Plus, there will be pears and apples on the cheese plate whice I think would go well with a fruity white?

Am I really so wrong?

[Anneke]

Alsatian wines are pretty punchy because they have a lot of alcohol. I have to admit, we had a sweet wine paired with a hard sheep last week and the result was surprisingly good. A lower acidity wine can definitely work with a sheep; the question here, is which cheese are we talking about?

[AndyG]

IMO there is no right/wrong. Depends on one's taste.

[Jeffy]

Originally Posted by Anneke

the question here, is which cheese are we talking about?

it's sheep's milk cheese from monforte...

[Anneke]

toscano? piacere?

[Jeffy]

mmmmm....
...not sure yet...I'll be getting them at St. Lawrence on Saturday, and not sure what they'll have there.

I know, I know. Start with the cheese, BUT, I really won't have time on Saturday to make it out so I'm starting with the wine.

[Anneke]

Call ahead to be safe. Are you going there because of proximity to you or your work? If you're shopping for Canadian cheeses, About Cheese (Yonge/Laurence)has the very best. Their staff is the most skilled in the city; in fact, don't go there if you're in a hurry - they will probably talk your ear off. They can further advise you on wine pairings. Speaking of great Cnd sheep: have you tried Allegretto? Alex should have it. Ask for a sample if you go!