Elevate Your Charcuterie to the Next Level by Pairing it With the Proper Wine
This article originally appeared in the February, 2023 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine
What’s not to like about a selection of meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables on a charcuterie tray? It’s easy to prepare, offers great variety, looks beautiful, and is meant to be shared in the company of others.
With so many wonderful foods to choose from, selecting a wine or two to serve along with it should be a relatively easy task, right?
Three words: proceed with caution.
The variety of items on a charcuterie tray, can in fact, be the downfall to a good wine pairing, especially if you’re serving heavily spiced or seasoned meats and vegetables, well-aged cheeses or sweet accompaniments. While they add plenty of character, these foods can also overpower the flavors of your wine.
Fortunately, most charcuterie also carries a “common food denominator,” so to speak, of higher salt and fat contents. That lends itself to high-acid wines as natural pairing partners because the wine’s acidity cuts through the fat and adds a bright contrast to the food’s flavors, allowing you to taste both food and wine.
Champagne and brut-style sparkling wines are generally high in acidity and make great choices; or, if you prefer your bubbles a bit on the sweeter side, a Prosecco or Moscato might also work well.
There are also plenty of high-acid white wines to consider serving with charcuterie including Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and Albariño.
For red wines, the same guideline applies. Look for higher-in-acidity reds such as Pinot Noir, Gamay Beaujolais, Barbera, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo as potentially outstanding charcuterie-friendly wines.
And be sure to consider rosé as a possible choice as well. Most rosé’s carry a bright, crisp, and fresh quality that make them terrific wines to serve with a variety of your favorite salty/fatty meats and cheeses.
WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Palencia Winery 2021 Albariño (about $22) – Victor Palencia has crafted yet another gem of a wine, this one with explosive lead-off flavors of melon, kiwi, and key lime. The laser-sharp finish is accented with lemon zest and a hint of minerality. Purchase online at palenciawine.com.
Tirriddiss Non-Vintage Blanc de Blanc R.2.1 (about $26) – Newbie winemakers Andrew Gerow, Matthew Doutney, and Gabriel Crowell are turning heads with their sparkling wines; this one features bright pear and lemon citrus flavors framed by linen-crisp acidity. Available at their Richland, Washington wine shop or online at tirriddiss.com.
Bayernmoor Cellars 2018 Pinot Noir Clone Précoce (about $50) – Intent on producing Washington’s best Pinot Noir, owners Kim and Larry Harris sourced this wine from their estate vineyard near Stanwood. Rose petal and cardamon aromatics, red berry and plum fruit on the palate and a touch of toasted walnut and allspice on the finish add up to one spectacular wine. Double Gold medalist at the Bellingham Northwest Wine Competition.
CHARCUTERIE OPTIONS
Do it yourself: It’s easy to put together your own charcuterie tray. For starters, grab two or three each of different meats and cheeses, perhaps a jar of roasted red peppers and a pound of calamata olives, and some must-have La Panzanella crackers, and you’re set.
Regional grocers in Northwest Washington such as Whole Foods, Haggen, and Fred Meyer feature a great supply of deli meats and cheeses, olive bars, and pre-packaged, snacky crisps and breads. You control the quantity and variety of what goes on the finished tray by buying whatever suits your budget.
Order out and enjoy: Old World Deli (1228 North State Street, Bellingham) has a huge variety of cheeses and made-in-house and cured meats to choose from. You can select what you like, add some accompaniments, and take it with you to construct your tray at home. Or, if you prefer, they can whip up an artisan meat and cheese platter from their own menu.
Yeah Baby Boards (2015 Main Street, Ferndale) offers an array of charcuterie options that look like works of art and can be prepared in advance for one to over 25 people. Italian meats, cheeses, cornichons, dried fruits, vegetables and your choice of pepper jelly, mustard, or honey come with every board. Take-out, delivery, and limited dine-in options are available.
Nomad Charcuterie & Wine (10 Prospect Street, Bellingham) allows you to enjoy your charcuterie in a “relaxed, let-someone-else-do-it” atmosphere. Their menu of meat and cheese trays are priced for one, two, four, or six guests. An added bonus: a wonderfully extensive selection of charcuterie-friendly wines is available by the half glass, glass, or bottle.