I know this looks like a very self-serving article, but allow me a little bit of space in everyone’s bandwidth to express delight, excitement, and joy as I share one of the best collaborations I’ve ever done: A wine and cheese series with one of my favourite people, the always imitated but never duplicated undisputed queen of cheese, Chef Karla Reyes of La Petite Fromagerie.
It started out a few months ago as the lockdowns started to ease up a bit (prematurely or otherwise, I’ll let people decide) when she contacted us with the possibility of conducting said seminars on zoom.
I’ll be the first to admit that I initially found the endeavor daunting. I mean, apart from discovering and enjoying the combination of chèvre and a proper Sancerre when we were in “middle of nowhere” France, enjoying my Roquefort vice with Chia (which we would get from anywhere while we were running around Paris), and delighting myself with one of my besties Chef Jonas’ Alpine-researched creations… I knew NOTHING about cheese.
I thought to myself, there’s nothing like a little research. So, after reading books, asking Karla endless questions, and a few R&Ds (plus digging up old wine and cheese memories from parties and travels)… Here we were one Saturday afternoon, having fun with some of the most eager cheese-philes and winos I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking to in recent days (i.e., before Corona… BTW would anyone know if there’s a cheese equivalent to the term wino…?).
I loved working with Karla because I learned something new (keeps work from being boring, IMHO), and because she and I have the same uncompromising standards when it comes to quality. On our first round, we served a Melini Chianti DOCG – a proper Chianti whose sharpness added a refreshing dimension to the wine and complemented the Pecorino we had. We also had a supple, elegant Barolo (YES, we can, and we did) in the form of a Massolino Barolo DOCG (the afternoon’s favourite) – a classic pair with Gorgonzola, plus went excellently with the Fontina.
I mean, look at THAT:
Nope, we didn’t scrimp on portions or the quality of the wines, cheeses, and conversation. 😉
For the next ones, please stay tuned to our social media accounts (Facebook and IG), plus La Petite Fromagerie’s:
La Petite Fromagerie
Facebook: lapetitefromagerie.mnl
Instagram: @lapetitefromagerie
#staycheesy
