Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley appellations are home to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most expressive Southern Oregon wines—and few things showcase their character better than thoughtfully paired cheeses. At South Stage Cellars, we craft small-lot whites, reds, and rosés that sing when matched with the right cheese. Below, discover ten inspired pairings featuring exclusively South Stage Cellars wines, with tips drawn from the experts at Wine Folly and Food & Wine.
1. Goat Cheese & Pinot Blanc 2022
Why It Works: Fresh goat cheese—with its bright acidity and tangy creaminess—mirrors the zippy citrus and green apple notes of South Stage Cellars’ Pinot Blanc 2022. The wine’s crisp minerality cuts through the cheese’s richness, while subtle floral hints elevate your palate.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: Farmstead chèvre, rubbed with ash for earthiness.
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Wine: Pinot Blanc 2022 opens with aromas of pear and honeysuckle.
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Pairing Tip: Serve slightly chilled (around 50°F) to preserve the wine’s vibrant acidity and contrast with the cheese’s cream.
2. Brie & Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Why It Works: The lush creaminess of Brie harmonizes beautifully with the grassy, tropical-fruit profile of South Stage’s Sauvignon Blanc 2023. The wine’s herbal notes and crisp finish balance the Brie’s buttery texture, making each bite and sip feel fresh.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: Triple-cream Brie with a bloomy rind.
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Wine: Sauvignon Blanc 2023 boasts passionfruit, lime zest, and a hint of jalapeño pepper.
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Pairing Tip: Serve on a neutral cracker to keep the focus on wine–cheese interplay.
3. Aged Manchego & Chenin Blanc 2023
Why It Works: Manchego’s nutty, savory flavors find an ideal partner in the honeyed richness and bright acidity of Chenin Blanc 2023. The wine’s pear and quince notes highlight the cheese’s complexity, while its crisp backbone keeps the pairing lively.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: 6-month-aged Manchego with firm texture.
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Wine: Chenin Blanc 2023 shows green apple, quince paste, and honeysuckle.
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Pairing Tip: Let the cheese warm to room temperature to release its buttery notes before sipping.
4. Mild Cheddar & Grenache Blanc 2022
Why It Works: A semi-firm, mild cheddar pairs seamlessly with the stone-fruit and herbal nuance of Grenache Blanc 2022. The wine’s moderate acidity and hints of melon and tarragon accentuate cheddar’s buttery richness without overpowering it.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: Young English-style cheddar.
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Wine: Grenache Blanc 2022 reveals pear, melon rind, and a whisper of white pepper.
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Pairing Tip: Enjoy at 52–55°F; too cold dulls the wine’s aromatics.
5. Parmesan & Chardonnay 2022
Why It Works: A well-aged Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano style) with its crystalline texture and umami depth is lifted by South Stage’s barrel-fermented Chardonnay 2022. The wine’s notes of toasted oak, baked apple, and citrus zest cut through saltiness, creating perfect harmony.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: 24–36 month aged Parmesan.
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Wine: Chardonnay 2022 shows brioche, green apple, and subtle vanilla.
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Pairing Tip: Break cheese into shards to maximize surface area for flavor release.
6. Camembert & Pinot Gris 2020
Why It Works: The soft-ripened, earthy flavors of Camembert are showcased by the floral and honey-tinged profile of Pinot Gris 2020. The wine’s refreshing acidity balances the cheese’s plush texture, while its pear and apricot aromas add complexity.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: Normandy-style Camembert with a downy rind.
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Wine: Pinot Gris 2020 offers baked pear, white peach, and honeysuckle.
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Pairing Tip: Serve both at cellar cool (55–60°F) to reveal full aromatics.
7. Gruyère & Viognier 2022
Why It Works: Gruyère’s nutty, slightly sweet flavor resonates with the stone-fruit and floral notes of Viognier 2022. This Rhône-style white from South Stage features apricot, honeysuckle, and a creamy mid-palate that mirrors Gruyère’s richness.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: Swiss Gruyère aged 6–8 months.
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Wine: Viognier 2022 reveals peach blossom, ripe apricot, and a hint of ginger.
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Pairing Tip: Serve at 50–54°F; too warm exaggerates alcohol heat.
8. Blue Cheese & Dolcetto 2015
Why It Works: The bold saltiness and cream of a blue cheese create an irresistible contrast with the juicy, tart-berry character of Dolcetto 2015. Dolcetto’s low tannins and bright acidity cut through the cheese’s funk, while its dark cherry and plum notes refresh the palate.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: Gorgonzola Dolce or Roquefort-style blue.
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Wine: Dolcetto 2015 offers blackberry, sour cherry, and soft tannins.
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Pairing Tip: Serve the cheese slightly chilled (45–50°F) to tame its sharpness.
9. Aged Sangiovese & Aged Gouda
Why It Works: A 10-year-white-crystalline Gouda, with caramel and butterscotch notes, pairs brilliantly with South Stage’s Sangiovese Chateau Lorane 2012. The wine’s cherry, earth, and tobacco flavors echo the cheese’s depth, creating a symphony of savory and fruity layers.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: Holland-style aged 18+ months.
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Wine: Sangiovese 2012 shows tart cherry, sunbaked earth, and leather.
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Pairing Tip: Let heartier reds warm to 60–65°F to soften tannins.
10. Brillat-Savarin & Pinot Noir 2018
Why It Works: For a luxurious finale, the ultra-creamy Brillat-Savarin triple-cream cheese meets its match in the elegant, silky Pinot Noir 2018. The wine’s layers of raspberry, forest floor, and soft tannins complement the cheese’s lush texture, making each bite and sip sublime.
Tasting Notes:
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Cheese: French triple-cream Brillat-Savarin.
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Wine: Pinot Noir 2018 reveals red cherry, mushroom, and velvety tannins.
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Pairing Tip: Serve both at 55–60°F—the cheese slightly cooler than the wine.
Pairing Principles & Tips
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Match Intensity: Light cheeses with lighter wines, robust cheeses with fuller-bodied wines.
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Balance Acidity & Fat: High-acid wines (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc) cut through fatty cheeses, while richer whites and light reds cushion saltier,-aged cheeses.
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Contrast vs. Complement: Contrast (blue cheese with Dolcetto) refreshes the palate, while complement (Parmesan with Chardonnay) amplifies shared notes.
For a deep dive into the art of pairing, see these guides from the experts:
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Wine Folly’s Getting Started with Food & Wine Pairing
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Food & Wine’s Food and Wine Pairing Guide
Planning Your Tasting
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Gather Supplies:
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A selection of the ten South Stage Cellars wines listed above from our online store.
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A variety of cheeses—aim for high-quality, age-appropriate specimens.
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Neutral crackers, sliced baguette, plain nuts, and water for palate cleansing.
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Serve Properly:
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Whites & Rosés: 45–55°F
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Reds: 55–65°F
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Cheeses: Slightly cooler than corresponding wines.
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Order of Tasting:
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Start with lighter whites (Pinot Blanc), move to richer whites (Chardonnay), then to rosés, lighter reds (Dolcetto, Pinot Noir), and finish with bold reds (Sangiovese).
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Take Notes:
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Jot down your impressions—sometimes unexpected pairings become new favorites!
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Visit South Stage Cellars
Experience these pairings firsthand at our tasting room in Southern Oregon. Check our upcoming events on the calendar and plan your visit via Visit & Contact. Join our Wine Club for exclusive releases and pairing guides delivered to your door.
Southern Oregon’s terroir shines in every bottle from South Stage Cellars. With these ten cheese pairings, you’ll unlock new dimensions in both your favorite wines and cheeses. Cheers to delicious discoveries!
