Beyond the Baguette: How to Pair our Greatest Hits

There’s so much more to enjoy with your cheese beyond crackers and bread. Using our Greatest Hits collection as a jumping-off point, we’re combining salty and sweet, pickled and creamy, and matching pairs by region (what grows together, goes together!). Use this as your indispensable pairing guide this holiday season.

Want to win five Greatest Hits gift collections? Enter our Eat, Drink & #bringmurrays giveaway!

beyond-baguette

What could you pair with Manchego?
We like honey and marcona almonds for a sweet-salty balance.

What could you pair with Gouda?
We like fig jam and fennel salami to play off the caramel nuttiness.

What to pair with Brie?
We like pears, grapes, and nuts for textural contrast.

What could you pair with Gruyere?
We like speck and cornichons. Mmm, salt!

What to pair with Cheddar?
We go classic with apples and tangy chutneys.

 

Pro Tips for Creating the Perfect Holiday Cheese Plate

content_Murrays-Cheese-PlateIt’s entertaining season, and the king of the Murray’s classroom, Dan Belmont, recently shared with Gotham Magazine his top 10 cheese entering tips. Here are some of our go-to’s:

1. Balance is key. 

You don’t want a plate of three different brie-style cheeses, or all blues for that matter. You want to create a progression from mild to intense flavors featuring a variety of cheese styles, origins, and milk types. When selecting each component for your board, remember that texture should be balanced, too.

2. Light-bodied reds go with everything.

Pinot Noir is probably the most versatile food-pairing wine. Try selecting a lighter bodied one from a cool-climate region like Burgundy or New York’s Finger Lakes. A good Pinot will be herbaceous, earthy, and fruity with good acidity. Heavier wines like Barolo or Bordeaux don’t play as well with certain molds.

3. Add something sweet.

Honey will always have a home with Blue cheeses, playing off the sweet and salty combination and its thick texture is luxurious on the palate. Fig jam works with just about anything, while strawberry preserves are a knockout with a nice alpine-style cheese like Comte. Get creative and try a caramel sauce or chocolate for your Goudas, Cheddars, Bries, and even Blues!

Head on over to Gotham Magazine to read Dan’s full list!