This was a wine from my cellar. Picked specifically to pair with this very strong and stinky cheese on a specail holiday occasion. Not for the feint of heart the Vacherin Mont d’Or.
For this dish (cheese) the first thought was to go to a Riesling which would be a classic pairing and one, had I been the only decision maker, I would have chosen. But, my guests were not fans of sweeter wines, and as they supplied the Vacherin Mont d’Or, it seemed only fair to acquiesce to their taste. We all agreed a sparkling wine was a very good choice.
The wine pairing:
Township 7 2017 Polaris seven stars
I was met with fruity bubbles immediately on the nose, scents of Granny Smith apples and stone fruit. Delicate and sauve this sparkler came between subtle and persistent with citrusy flavours that avoided tartness and gave a pleasing taste on the palate. A good minerality with a fine balance.
With this pairing the Polaris was really put through its paces and proved to be an excellent choice.
Polaris is the basis for our sparkling program, guiding the other members of the Seven Stars family. The Seven Stars series of sparkling wines are crafted in the traditional “Méthode Champenoise” style in which the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle. This vintage of Polaris Seven Stars bursts with Granny Smith apple, peach and lime aromas along with freshly baked bread, creating a complex and pleasing nose. The mouthfeel is rich and luxurious with a toasty, creamy mousse, which ends with a refreshingly crisp and clean finish. An opulent, full-bodied sparkler, Polaris is ideal for celebrations as well as sipping. Enjoy with oysters, hors d’oeuvres, or try with a creamy blue cheese *
On it’s release in 2020 the Polaris was $35.97, the 2018 is currently available online at $35.97.
Sparkling wines currently available.
The Dish:
Vacherin Mont d’Or
Vacherin Mont d’Or round of cheese in the box
clove of garlic peeled and thinly sliced
a dash or two of white wine
cooked and warm baby nugget potatoes
baked baguette, sliced or cubed
Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP is the distinctive soft cheese speciality from the Vaud town of Jura. It has been lovingly produced by hand in the Vallée de Joux for over 100 years. It is then matured in traditional affinage cellars to develop its delicate, mild flavour. The local firwood belt lends the cheese its typically exquisite trace of tannin. Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP was originally produced between October and spring, because there used to be a lack of milk prior to this due to the production of the large Gruyère wheels. This then became tradition. Nowadays, it is produced from the end of September to April.
Sorry, but the last thing I would call this dish is “delicate”. If like me, you have an unsophisticated, Canadian palate you will find this to be a strongly flavoured, funky cheese.
The raw milk cheese lends itself to fondue and it was heated before serving with nugget potatoes and a crisp baguette. Initially, the cheese was harsh and very smoky tasting but as it cooled slightly the tastes were much more palatable. This would be an acquired taste but it was an interested beginning to the evening. It certainly gave us something to talk about.
As it turned out the wine pairing was very good and the cheese pairing an experience.
Township 7’s Seven Stars collection includes a unique family of five cuvées. Polaris is a traditional method wine crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes. This vintage has pleasing aromas of freshly baked biscuits along with bright fruit scents of Granny Smith apple, peach and lime. The mousse is creamy for a round and beautifully well-balanced wine. The wine was left en tirage for 18 months to ensure the development of classic autolytic characters. Only 598 six bottle cases made. It is available at the two wineries and online.
ABOUT TOWNSHIP 7 VINEYARDS & WINERY
We have a singular focus. It’s only about quality wine! We believe premium winemaking starts in the vineyard. We carefully select specific sites throughout B.C. for their unique characteristics. Our fine wines reflect the special terroir of each vineyard and this is expressed in the bold flavours of the wine. Handcrafted to cellar, we hope you enjoy our robust reds and aromatic whites with loved ones.
* Wine notes courtesy of the winery. Cheese notes (in italics) courtesy of Cheeses from Switzerland. My notes (in bold italics) I received this wine in 2020 to facilitate a #ShiptoSip feature published in April, 2020. Read that article here.
