Photo by Vinocultured
Who doesn’t love a good grilled ham and cheese sandwich? The savory ham, the oozing cheese, the warm bread that crunches when you bite into it…. everyone has a favorite version of this dish! The question is: Do you have a favorite wine pairing? Well, would you like to discover one?
Classic Croque Monsieur
For today’s experiment, let’s try pairing a classic Croque Monsieur (French ham and cheese sammy!) with two different wines: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Here’s an easy tried-and-tested-true recipe. The sandwich is sure to please the palate, with its gruyère and parmesan cheeses, quality ham, and secret ingredient to its buttery goodness: béchemel sauce. (Is your mouth watering, yet? Just wait… there’s more!)
Speaking of Secrets
Why choose Chardonnay or Pinot Noir for your Croque? The secret is to find what works with the cheese! Remember, it’s the food that enhances the wine, not the other way around. Try this or any other other gruyère dish with Pinots and Chards from cooler regions, to bring out the freshness in the wine.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure of which bottles to choose, you can always consult the folks at your local wine and spirits shop. They can suggest some wines that are sure to please!
It’s the food that enhances the wine, not the other way around.
Photo by CA Creative on Unsplash
Prefer Earthy or Fruity?
What you select for this dish will depend on your personal preferences and palate. Do you prefer a more savory, moody wine? Then you’ll love the Pinot Noir for this pairing. The bread and cheese forward Croque Monsieur brings out the wine’s typical flavors and aromas of earth, cocoa, toasted oak, clove and a bit of plum. Think cold nights by a cozy fire.
Prefer something more light and fruity? You’ll enjoy the Chardonnay. The sandwich brings out a refreshing quality in the wine, with typical flavors and aromas of green apple, pear and citrus, alongside floral and baking spice smells, some buttery qualities, and a creamy mouthfeel. It surprises the palate!
Seconds Please!
Care for a second round that shows off how fruity Pinot Noir can be? Pair the Pinot with a Spanish Bocadillo sammy. (Serrano ham, manchego cheese, and spicy peppers!) This ham forward, spicy sandwich brings out the wine’s flavors and aromas of cherry, raspberry and red currant, alongside the earthy notes. So yummy!
Bonus…. Dessert!
Have room for dessert? Yes, you can pair these wines with the right desserts! Just match the flavors of the wine with desserts having similar qualities.
Photo by Vinocultured
For example, a buttery Chardonnay would be complimented by something sweet and savory, like a creamy scoop of salted caramel ice cream or slice of peach dessert with a buttery, crumbly shortbread base. For Pinot Noir, try something with dark chocolate and perhaps a hint of berry.
Now that you have menu ideas, who will you invite for a sampling? Cheers!
Published September 27, 2022
What’s your favorite grilled ham and cheese sammy… and what do you pair it with? Share comments below!
