While everyone is losing it over pumpkin spice, we’re way more excited to hear that The French Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with Whole Foods Market to present a special collaboration of Wines and Cheeses from France. This culinary celebration is taking place at 320+ Whole Foods locations across 42 states through the end of October. All locations that offer wine will highlight these select French products with beautiful case displays in their wine and cheese departments. In addition, nearly 200 Whole Foods Market locations will offer in-store tastings, allowing customers to sample the delicate French wines, paired with a selection of French cheeses and preserves.
“Whole Foods Market is on a mission to provide shoppers with interesting, delicious and high quality wines, and provide a sense of discovery in the process,” states Doug Bell, Whole Foods Market’s senior global coordinator of beverage. “The wine regions of France create the perfect opportunity for people to explore unique terroirs and superb winemakers, and hopefully find some new favorites along the way.”
The selection of wines, cheese and fruit preserves featured at these tastings will vary from store-to-store, but some of the pairings that may be enjoyed include Jacques Bardelot Champagne Brut with Hervé Mons St. Nuage, the classic combination of a delightful bubbly with a buttery soft cheese and a fig preserve added to underline the sweetness; a bright Domaine de la Fruitière Muscadet Gneiss de Bel Abord Sur Lie coupled with a salty Istara P’tit Basque, the smoothness of the sheep’s milk balanced by a tart cherry preserve or quince spread; or Caves D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé and Hervé Mons Terre des Volcans Bleu 1924, the richly intense blue cheese highlighting the berry notes in the wine and the fig preserve adding depth.
The select French wines represent a range of wine regions in France, from Champagne to Chablis to Côtes du Rhône and Bordeaux. The selected paired cheeses are sourced from throughout France, whether it be the fertile grasslands of Normandy to the deep valleys and steep mountains of the Basque region.
Whole Foods Market’s global specialty team, Cathy Strange, Doug Bell and Devon Broglie, MS, have curated pairings of delectable French cheeses and Bonne Maman, the beloved French brand made from natural ingredients, preserves designed to enhance and complement the flavors of 12 very special French wines that are newly available at Whole Foods Market stores.
“When it comes to the exploration of cheese and traditional, artisan cheese making, France is the epicenter,” says Cathy Strange, Whole Foods Market’s global executive coordinator of specialty and product innovation and development. “We are thrilled to offer customers a taste bud tour of France by pairing these exciting regional cheeses with wines from the same locale.”
*Check out our blog recipe this Sunday for a special recipe made with a delicious French brie cheese!
philmytummy.com 