Summer Cheese, Clambake and Wine Party
Summer has officially commenced, and to help celebrate the warm weather, serve a variety of cheese and wine before your clambake party!
Start with great cheese. My favorites to enjoy include Laura Chenel, a Sonoma, California producer of fresh and aged goat cheeses. Its sister brand Marin French Cheese, is California’s oldest cheese company. They have been making handmade artisan cheese at their historic creamery in Northern California since 1865. They combine traditional French cheesemaking techniques with an innovative spirit. The third is Beehive Cheese made in Utah, known as the Beehive State.
Marin French Cheese Golden Gate ($15.99) is a triple crème cheese offering rich and savory notes with a touch of funkiness.
One of the best ways to purchase and receive your cheese is in a basket delivered to your home. The Cheeseboard Basket ($105) arrives with both Marin French and Laura Chenel cheese, along with classic charcuterie, olives, and crackers from California producers.
Flora Springs Wine
This cheese is best to served with Flora Springs Napa Valley Family Estate. It was named “Best Hidden Gem Winery” in 2020 in Napa Valley Life Magazine. Founded in 1978, the estate vineyards were planted in the late 1800s. Vineyards are located in St. Helena, Oakville, Carneros, Napa Valley, Rutherford, and the Oak Knoll District. Red wines include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. White wines offered include Sauvignon Blanc, Rose’ and Vermentino.
Cheeseboard Basket
Enjoy a bottle of Flora Springs with a Marin French Goat Cheese Lover Basket for $67. It arrives with an assortment of the Laura Chenel famous goat creamy brie cheese, marinated goat cheese, orange blossom honey flavored log, Rustic Bakery sourdough bites, Torn Ranch dried fruit, seasonal fruit jam, a California cheese spreader and beautiful basket.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc – Photo Jill Weinlein
For a zesty and vibrant wine, Cloudy Bay’s Sauvignon Blanc is an award-winner from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. This wine is so versatile in pairings. Besides cheese, it also is delicious with warm-weather favorites like oysters, clambake parties, grilled vegetables and bright pastas. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc SRP is $35. Purchase on Drizly.
Beehive Cheese
Beehive Cheese artisan cheese with a unique rubbed rind is a full-bodied cheese offering a nutty flavor and smooth texture. The award-winning Beehive Cheese is served on cheese boards at the new Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City.
The Salt Republic at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City. Photo Jill Weinlein
The lobby restaurant The Salt Republic features Beehive Cheese with candied pecans, fresh strawberries, honeycomb, fig jam and crackers. Chef de Cuisine Diego and his culinary team work with local purveyors to showcase the best in the state. Beehive Cheese sells gift boxes delivered to your home to make summer meals easy to assemble.
Raw Life Wines
Another bright acidity wine offering fruity and floral notes that pairs beautifully with cheese, as well as seafood on the grill is Moules Blanc de Blancs Brut. Made from the craft winery Ripe Life Wines by winemaker Mary McAuley. The Moules Blanc de Blancs Brut is a bubbly dry American wine made by the methode champenoise with 100% sustainable Chardonnay grapes from Lodi Valley, California. It pairs well with clams and mussels with frites and other seafood dishes, such as a lobster roll or a seafood cioppino stew. It’s also a star when served during aperitif hour. Moules Blanc de Blancs Brut retails for $36.50 per bottle.
Winemaker Mary McAuley is also a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and a certified sommelier, she also made a wonderful Clambake Unoaked Chardonnay and a limited edition Rose’. Both are great wines to serve during your summer barbecue or clambake. Purchase on Drizly.
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