Cheese and Sparkling Wine

I don't think you really need an excuse but in case you do, this is the night for you. New Year's Eve evening is a great time for lingering over snacks with friends, before dinner or heading out to a party and there are certainly a number of cheeses that pair well with bubbles. We have been busy in the store all week selling our favourite matches so for any last minute shoppers here are some of our best bets.

• Piave Vecchio - this is my personal favourite as it is fruity and sharp and seems to compliment the yeasty flavours in the Champagne ( champagne for me because I'm practicing to be a princess!)
• Bra - another delicious DOP cheese from Italy. It is made with raw milk and has a nice sharp milky taste with a little sour finish. Stellar
• Capra Cremosa Tartufo - to keep on our Italian theme this is a soft fresh goat cheese with a small shaving of black truffle on the top
• Parmigiano Reggiano - keep it simple, Reggiano or Grana Padano are a great match for everything but especially bubbles. Just chunk a piece up and enjoy. 
• L'Edel de Cleron - this is soft ripened cheese from the eastern part of France. It is wrapped in spruce bark and has a great grassy flavour with a little earthy taste.
• Manchego - this classic Spanish sheep's milk cheese is nice with a Spanish Cava or any other sparkling on your menu
• Chèvre - Fresh goat cheese is great with sparkling wine. Whether you choose a local cheese from Farmhouse in Agassiz, from Saltspring or cheese an interesting shape from France they should all be tasty.

Enjoy your New Year's Eve and all the best for a cheesy 2012!