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Say Cheese!

smseafoodmarketCosta Mesa, Gourmet, Wine pairing Leave a Comment

As you know Santa Monica Seafood is widely recognized for our large selection of responsibly sourced fish and shellfish. But did you know we also carry a wide variety of hand crafted cheese and fine wine?

Enjoy this short guide that will help you create the perfect wine and cheese experience.  We’ve put together different selections for both our Costa Mesa and Santa Monica Markets (…and don’t worry Santa Barbara – the Public Market can satisfy all your cheese and wine needs)!

Costa Mesa

Our soft Cheeses include Ricotta, Mozzerella, Burrata, Feta, Brie, and more.  Try a Fresh Mozzerella from Di Stefano ($5.99), or a Burrata, also from Di Stefano ($10.99).  Both these soft cheeses pair well with anything from Riesling, Unoaked Chardonnay (Carmel Road from Monterey $19/bottle), to Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand Matua Valley $13/bottle).

Our Medium Aged Cheeses include Gruyere, Manchego, Monterey Jack, Young Cheddar, and more.  We’re recommending the El Trigal Dop Manchego ($8.38) and The Cavern Reserve Gruyere ($10.85).  Both these medium aged cheeses pair well with Pinot Noir (Edna Valley Tolosa $21/bottle) or Merlot (Raymond Reserve Napa Valley $25/bottle).

Santa Monica

Our Soft cheeses include the Fromager d’ Affinois-triple crème; our Santa Monica Manager Christopher Wade  says it’s “like a buttery brie, crazy good.”  He also loves the Saint-Andre-triple crème as well, and says “it’s a bit more firm with a sweet creamy flavor and a tangy finish.”  Both these cheese pair well with a crisp white wine like our Steele Cuvee Chardonnay-($22/bottle) or Justin Sauvignon Blanc ($15/bottle).

We have some delicious Italian Cheese featured in Costa Mesa as well,  Try the Di Stefano’s Burrata – creamy, soft and delicious and the Bufala Mozzarella – firmer than the buratta but creamy -great for paninis or bruschetta. Costa Mesa also carries an Italian Fontina – a semi soft cheese with a rich, nutty flavor

These would all pair well with 2 of our Italian imports from Cantina Zarcagnini winery (a winery so proud of its sustainability that there’s a piece of their vine tied onto each bottle). Both their Pinot Grigio and Red Table Wine are $18/bottle.

Also, look for these California Cheeses – Point Reyes Blue (Creamy, tangy and a perfect balance of salt) and Humboldt Fog (subtle tangy flavor with a distinctive layer of edible vegetable ash). Pair wither of these tasty selections with California’s Steele Pinot Noir ($22/bottle) or Orogeny Pinot Noir ($25/bottle).

Start planning that wine and cheese party today! 

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