wine, Netflix, and more wine

I can’t say I’ve ever really cared about Valentine’s day. But you know what I do care about? Any reason for me to get my hands on a piece of cheese to go with my thoughtfully chosen wine and a romantic film to round it all out. Here are six wines paired with some of the best Allium Market cheeses and some of my favorite off-beat Netflix films. 

Feeling French

The Wine: Château Combel, La Serre Cahors 

Leave it to a Cahors (a region in Southwestern France) to slap me in the face with a feeling that I am in a French bistro where they don’t think twice about indoor smoking and a have library of vintage LP records. The 100% Malbec’s meaty and austere nature is just the wine to go with…

The Cheese: Umamontory 

A cheddar from Utah that is rubbed in porcini mushroom dust and aged 6 months to the sweet, sharpness an earthy element. 

The Movie: Blind Date 

A set of Parisian neighbors get to know each other in an intimate way by driving each other crazy through the paper-thin apartment walls. The French film’s predictable rom-com nature is forgiven by its refreshingly charming scenario. 

American Classics

The Wine: Oyster River Morhpos Rosé

A neon pink sparkler made from Merlot grapes up in Warren, Maine. It’s fresh strawberry and hibiscus notes are just calling for something creamy and salty. 

The Cheese: Prufrock

From Grey Barn & Farm. It’s robust and pungent in a good way. Though nutty up front, the light tropical notes fit in perfectly with a glass of fruity bubbles. Make sure you have a slice of warm bread.  

The Movie: She’s Gotta Have It

Fierce and independent Brooklyn artist, Nola dates 3 very different men at the same time while not being able to make up her mind. For anyone craving a trip to New York, this, black and white film really takes you there. New-age American Pet-Nats go with old-school, Spike Lee romantic comedies. 

Passion in Paradiso

The Wine: Pullus Pinot Grigio

Just like a slice of bacon, has the power to improve most things when included. The light skin-contact gives it a bright, coppery hue to go with its Anjou pear and honey dew. Elegant and poised.  

The Cheese: Beppie 

This sheep’s milk Gouda is spicy-sweet, crunchy and reminiscent of salted caramel. 

The Movie: The Last Paradiso 

Netflix’s newest, steamy melo-dramatic film is set in a humble town in Italy in the 1950s. Inspired by Director, Rocco Ricciardulli’s family’s true events this film revolves around Southern Italian corruption and violence and the main character’s struggle to grapple with it all. 

Thriiller

The Wine: La Tollara, Gutturnio Frizzante

An exciting red fizzy wine from Emilia Romagna made from Barbera and Bonarda grapes with notes of blackberry, anise and dried rosemary. Its fruity thickness is wonderfully balanced with acidity making it an ideal wine for rich foods. 

The Cheese: Harbison

Might as well be cheese pudding wrapped in strips of spruce. Woodsy, salty, creamy deliciousness.There’s a reason this cheese has won ‘Best American Cheese’ at the World Cheese Awards more than once. 

The Movie: The Bar

Equal parts funny and thrilling. Strangers in a Madrid bar witness a murder and are trapped while both working together and against each other. The type of movie that will make you both laugh, hand on tighter to your surroundings and wonder what you’d do in their scenario. 

Ciao Italia 

The Wine: Montenidoli Il Garrulo Chianti Colli Senesi

A sense of nostalgia sets in with this wonderfully herbal Chianti that keeps the tradition of adding a touch of white wine to lift and enhance the flavors that are more musky than fruity. 

The Cheese: Ameribella 

This semi-soft wash rind made in Indiana is reminiscent of Northern Italian soft cheeses. What starts off mushroomy mellows out into a salty, smooth silky sweet cream that needs to be washed down with a glass or 2 of the Chianti. 

The Movie: Scandal in Sorrento - see Queen Sophia Loren in action in this timeless Italian. When a marshal moves back to his hometown, he finds a woman renting his property who refuses to leave but soon captures his affection. Worth it just to see the outfits and Sophia’s dancing.

Loco for Science

The Wine: Marques de Tomares, Crianza Rioja

A modern style of such a classical Spanish region.  

Dark cherry and licorice come through with tight tannins and a dry, savory finish. The right levels of rusticity and velvety texture. 

The Cheese: Silver Lake

An Alpine style cheese from East Hill Creamery that is both sweet, nutty and savory. The New York cheese was created with the classic French Comte in mind and its strong character is waiting to be enjoyed with a tinto. 

The Movie: The Laws of Thermodynamics

A neurotic scientist who is dating a model tries to use the Laws of Thermodynamics as a guide. Think High Fidelity - but in Spanish and instead of music, physics. 

I hope these ideas for pairings inspire you to have a fantastic night with someone special, especially if that someone is yourself!