Wine
The perfect pairings. The Cheese Lady offers a wide variety of wines to compliment an array of cheeses.
View each location’s wine list below. Please note that this may not be a complete selection and not all locations offer wine.
If you are looking for something specific, contact us today.
Muskegon Wine List
Pairing our Cheeses and Wines
Rule #1: There are no rules, eat and drink what you like.
But if you yearn for a more organized and regimented approach, here are a few ideas to consider.
Complement or Contrast?
Like food pairings, matching wine with cheese can fall into two categories: complementary or contrasting. Big, sharp, nutty cheeses paired with big, bold wines or mild, fresh cheeses paired with delicate, light bodied wines are both examples of complementary choices. Think mild with mild, wild with wild.
Pairing an acidic or sparkling wine with a decadent triple-cream will cut through the über-creaminess of the cheese and sweeter wine will smooth out the salty, pungent edge of strong blues. These are examples of contrasting flavors.
They both work, it just depends on what you want to experience. Try complementing styles one time and contrasting another. Experimenting with these concepts will reveal just how versatile and fun pairings can be.
Terroir
Pairing cheese with wine from the same area is always a fun way to experience flavors from around the world. Think Spanish cheese with Spanish wine, French with French and so on. This concept can be broken down even further into more localized offerings. Goes with where it grows is a classic pairing technique that will really expand ones knowledge of regional cheeses and wines.
The Pairing List
The following list represents some wines that The Cheese Lady carries along with suggested cheese pairings. Our wines sometimes change and so do our cheeses, so have this chart as a guideline and use the information to help you explore things that you might not otherwise consider. Remember, it is wine and it is cheese – and even though we take them both very seriously, you shouldn’t. The most important thing to remember is to have fun. Sip….taste….savor….and enjoy!
France |
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Wine |
Basic Profile |
Try These Cheeses |
| Blanc de Camarsac | White Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc | Blue Castello, Bucherolle, Barber’s Cheddar, Drunken Goat, Brie |
| Domaine des Geneves Chablis | Stainless steel, no oak, 100% Chardonnay | Brie, Boucherolle, Cashel Blue, Cambozola, Cantalet, Cave-Aged Gruyerre, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prima Donna – Young and Aged |
| Barton & Geustier Vouvray | Chenin Blanc, Loire Valley | Blue Castello, Raclette, Brie, Cantalet, Feta |
| Trimbach Gewurztraminer | Alsace, spicy, dry | Fresh Chevre, Pecorino, Robiola, Prarie Rose, Emental |
| Bastide Cotes du Rhone Blanc | Viognier, fresh, fruity, floral nose, balanced acidity | Cambozola, Dunbarton Blue, Goat Gouda, Havarti |
| Picpoul de Pinet | Delicate with good acidic structure & balance | Delice de Bourgogne, Saint Angel, Cantalet, Taleggio |
| Cote Mas Blanc Mediterranee | Dry, crisp, some fruitiness | Havarti, Brie, Double Crème Gouda, Feta, Le Roule, Pyrenees |
| Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux Brut | Think Champagne! | Fromager d’Affinois, Delice de Bourgogne, Brillat-Savarin, Irish Cheddar, Double Crème Gouda, Fresh Chevre, Le Roule |
| Chateau de Campuget Rosé | Syrah, Grenache Noir, easy drinking, strawberry, cherry | Fresh Chevre, Feta, Humbolt Fog, Le Roule, Grumpy Goat, Cantalet |
| Bourgogne Pinot Noir Domaine Nudant | Lighter bodied, medium acidity, lower tannins | Cantalet, Comte, Young Prima Donna, Boucherolle, Young Manchego |
| Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Trois Couronnes |
Soft tannins, fruity, black cherry | Barber’s Cheddar, Cantalet, Comte, Aged Prima Donna, Raclette, Cave- Aged Gruyere, Vlaskaas, Morbier, Mahon |
| Cotes-du-Rhone Les Trois Couronnes | Rich with plums, blackberries, smooth tannins, big | Cantalet, Bella Vitano Gold, Bleu d’Auvergne, Ewephoria |
| Domaine Bart Marsanny Les Finottes | Burgundy, Pinot Noir, raspberry, cherry, oak, big | Midnight Moon, Aged Prima Donna, Comte, Cave-Aged Gruyere |
| Cote Mas Rouge Intense | Smooth, soft, ripe berries, easy drinker | Smoked Gouda, Feta, Blue Castello, Aged Prima Donna, Cheddar |
| Fortant Cabernet Sauvignon | Big black fruit, blueberry, violet | Canadian Cheddar, Comte, Aged Prima Donna, Lamb Chopper |
Italy |
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Wine |
Basic Profile |
Try These Cheeses |
| Dogajolo Toscano Bianco | Refreshing, light, crisp apple, hint of honey, soft finish | Fresh Mozzarella, Brie, Trugole, Cambozola, Burrata |
| Anselmi San Vincenzo | Northern Italy, pear, apple, lemon, light-medium body | Asiago, Taleggio, Bella Vitano, Le Roule, Trugole, Fontina Fontal |
| Abbazia di Novacella | Bright, clean, juicy, mineral | Podda Classico, Asiago, Taleggio, Parmegiano-Reggiano |
| Scalabrone Rosato | Ripe cherries, herbs, fruity finish | Trugole, Podda Classico, Piave Vecchio, Provolone, Bella Vitano |
| Dogajolo Toscano Rosso | Sangiovese, fruity, soft palate, cherry, vanilla, spice | Asiago, Fontina Fontal, Piave, Provolone, Pecorino, Parmigiano |
| Villa di Vetrice Chianti Rufina | Balanced tannins, good acidity | Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino, Piave Vecchio, Aged Provolone |
| Franco Serra Barbera d’Alba | Berry, balsamic, light tannin | Fontina Fontal, Taleggio, Ossau-Iraty, Piave, Pecorino |
| Layer Cake Primitivo | Black fruit, white pepper, lush, big | Asiago, Pecorino, Piave, Ewephoria, Balarina, Aged Prima Donna |
| Santa Cristina Sangiovese | Black cherry, violet, velvety, medium tannins | Parmigiano-Reggiano, Fontina Fontal, Pecorino, Provolone |
Spain/Portugal |
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Wine |
Basic Profile |
Try These Cheeses |
| Marques de Irun Verdejo | Citrus, mineral, nectarine, zesty acidity, slightly bitter finish | Fresh Chevre, Humbolt Fog, Brie, Garroxta, Young Manchego |
| Martin Codax Albarino | Crisp, dry, apple, pear, bright acidity | Young Manchego, Brie, Cambozola, Le Roule, Goat Gouda |
| Gazela Vihno Verde – Portugal | Lime, green apple, peach, medium-high acidity, slight bubbles | Brie, French Feta, Young Manchego, Mahon, Double Crème Gouda |
| La Vendimia Rioja | Garnacha, Tempranillo, fruit forward, raspberry, spice | Old or Young Manchego, Iberico, Podda Classico, Goat Gouda |
| Marques de Riscal Proximo | Tempranillo, blackberry, plum, licorice, anise | Ossau-Iraty, Pena Gorda, Garroxta, Taleggio, Mahon, Cheddar |
| Ergo Rioja | Tangy cherry with fresh fruit acidity, slightly tannic finish | Iberico Curado, Manchego, Irish Cheddar, Plain Havarti |
| Faustino VII | Tempranillo, Rioja, Fresh berry, pear, clean finish | Young Iberico, Pena Gorda, Manchego, Garroxta |
| Ugarte Rioja Tempranillo | Black cherry, herb, firm tannins | Iberico Curado, Queso al Romero, Manchego, Ewephoria |
| Las Rocas Garnacha | Big and hearty, black cherry, black plum, licorice, peppercorn | Aged Manchego, Ossau Iraty, Queso con Aceitunas |
| Alto-Cinco Garnacha | Blueberries, red cherries violets, long finish | Mahon, Queso al Romero, Aged Manchego, Cave-Aged Gruyere |
| Sandeman Tawny Porto | Vanilla, dried red fruits, wood, elegant finish | Bleu des Basques, Roquefort, Stilton, Delft Blue |
| Sandeman Ruby Porto | Red fruits, plums, strawberries, rich and balanced | Bleu d’Auvergne, Cantar de Covadonga, Valdeon, Gorgonzola |
Chile/Argentina |
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Wine |
Basic Profile |
Try These Cheeses |
| Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay |
Pineapple, citrus, vanilla, bright acidity | Fresh Chevre, Brie, Cashel Blue, Prarie Breeze Cheddar, Feta |
| Bodega Adamisque Serbal Viognier | Sweet aromas, nice acidity, fresh, honey, passion fruit | Cambozola, Capra, Goat Gouda, Irish Cheddar, Young Manchego |
| Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon | Red fruit, spice, medium tannins and acidity | Prarie Breeze Cheddar, Mahon, Comte, Vlaskaas, Blue Castello |
| Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere |
Cherry, blackberry, pepper, spice, earthy, big | Beecher’s Flagship, Aged Prima Donna, Barber’s Cheddar |
| Apaltagua Reserva Carmenere | Juicy red and black cherries, smooth tannins, tobacco | Nordic Smoked Cheddar, Vlaskaas, Ewephoria |
| Lopez Noceti 1919 Malbec | Inky, plum, ripe red fruit, soft tannins, long finish | Emental, Aged Prima Donna, Beemster XO, Mona Lisa |
| Layer Cake Sea of Stones | Dense, ripe black fruit, espresso, dark chocolate, lavender, big | Bleu des Basques, Ossau Iraty, Podda Classico, Aged Prima Donna |
| Chakras Malbec | Smooth and supple, black fruit, firm tannins, refreshing acidity, oak | Cashel Blue, Iberico, Manchego, Taleggio, Barber’s Cheddar |
| El Malbec de Ricardo Santos | Black cherry, rich, earthy, silky, weighty, big | Taleggio, Ewephoria, Aged Manchego, Prarie Breeze Cheddar |
Grand Rapids Wine List
Tresor de la Riviere Cotes Du Rhone
This French red is well balanced with generous fruit flavors and soft tannins. It is a blend of primarily Grenache with some Syrah and Carignan added. Can stand up well to blue cheeses and pairs great with pastas and red meat.
Richter Zeppelin Riesling
A German treat to be savored with sweet and nutty cheeses like Bella Vitano or Midnight Moon. Its lively, fruity, and spicy with the perfect amount of floral accents.
Tenuto Curezza Nerosso
A lovely Italian red made of ancient vine grapes of the Puglia region. It is intense on the nose, full bodied, and massive in character, making it a perfect match for our aged Italian Piave Vecchio, what a great couple.
Kalamazoo Wine List
Our Boutique Wine Selection has a variety of domestic, imported, and local wines.
White Wine Selection:
Domestic:
Rombauer Chardonnay
Bread & Butter Chardonnay
Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay
Cosentino The Novelist
The Messenger White Wine
Dr. Loosen Brothers Riseling
Chateau St. Michelle Gewurztaminer
Flore de Moscato by Salt of the Earth
Imported:
Antonin Rodet Bourgogne Chardonnay
Joseph Mellot Sancerre
Destinea Sauvignon Blanc
The Furst Pinot Gris
San Angelo Banfi Pinot Grigio
Castellargo Albus White Blend
Tresor de la Riviere Cote du Rhones White
Albarino Nesso
Stefano Farina Moscato di Asti
Red Wine Selection:
Domestic:
Beau Vigne Juliet Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon
Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon
Venge Scout’s Honor Zinfandel Blend
Rombauer Zinfandel
Four Vines The Biker Zinfandel
Dunham Cellars Trutina
Benziger Merlot
Columbia Winery Merlot
Grayson Merlot
Domain Chandon Pinot Meunier
August West Pinot Noir
Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir
Clos Pegase Pinot Noir
Eberle Syrah
Precedent Syrah
True Grit Reserve Petite Syrah
Concannon Crimson & Clover
Imported: FRANCE
E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape
E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone
Chateau des Karantes La Clape
Famaey Cahors Malbec
Nicolas Idiart Pinot Noir
Imported: ITALY
Marchesi Biscardo Valpolicella Ripasso
La Meridiana Barbera d’Asti
Tenuta Curezza Prine Blend
Col di Sasso Toscano Cab. Sauv. & Sangiovese
Imported: OTHER
Trivento Reserve Malbec (ARGENTINA)
Legado Munoz Tempranillo (SPAIN)
Nexo Rioja (SPAIN)
The Grinder Pinotage (S. AFRICA)
Sparkling, Ice & Dessert Wine Selection:
Chateau des Karantes vin Liqueur
Phelps Creek Vineyards Vin Dore
Mas Amiel Vintage Blanc
Mas Amiel Vintage
Mas Amiel Cuvee Special 10ans.
Taylor Fladgate Late Bottle Vintage Porto 2003
Michigan Wine Selection:
RED:
Tempo Vino Black Raspberry Merlot
Tempo Vino Twilight Time Pinot Noir
Lawton Ridge Winery AZO Red
Lawton Ridge Winery 3
WHITE:
Tempo Vino I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo
Tempo Vino Green Eyes Pinot Grigio
Lawton Ridge Winery Pinot Grigio
Lawton Ridge Winery AZO
Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Riesling