There are a few iconic duos in the food world—peanut butter and jelly, chips and salsa, maple syrup and…well, everything. But when you consider romantic combos, wine and cheese jumps to the top of the list.

Whether you choose to approach this pairing conventionally or playfully depends on your sense of adventure. Consider the acidity, flavor, and tannins of the wine and the aroma, texture, and taste of the cheese. As with most complementary food and drink, it’s all about balance. Read on to learn more about choosing your wine and cheese this Valentine’s Day.

Please note that suggested wines and cheeses may not be available in store. If that is the case, feel free to ask any of our knowledgeable staff for a substitute!

Brie & Bubbly

The bright bubbles of a Champagne or other sparkling wine cut through the heavy, creaminess of brie. And that light brioche flavor often found in both items gets amplified and elevated when enjoyed together.

We suggest pairing a buttery French brie like Ermitage Brie with an elegant true French Champagne such as Collet Brut. Or go local with Plymouth Cheese Ballyhoo Brie and a toasty sparkling wine from the Roederer Estate in California.

Blue Cheese & Reisling or Côtes du Rhône

Just like chocolate and peanut butter, you can’t go wrong with salty and sweet! The funky, savory cheese blends with the honey and peach notes of a sweeter Riesling.

But, if sweet wine isn’t your thing, consider a Côtes du Rhone! Glenn, our wine buyer, loves this red from Kermit Lynch. He says that the smooth wine mellows out an assertive blue cheese with its evolving fruit flavor. Try it with a salty, chocolatey blue such as von Trapp Farmstead’s Mad River Blue!

Chevre (Goat Cheese) & Rosé or Malbec

One of the more classic cheese and wine pairings is chevre and Sauvignon Blanc. But we’re swapping that white for a more fitting wine for Valentine’s Day—rosé! A dry, minerally red such as Tenuta di Carleone Rosato Toscana complements a tangy, vegetal goat cheese like Blue Ledge Lake’s Edge.

Or do opposites attract? Malbec and goat cheese isn’t a popular pairing, but we think it should be! Find a fruit-forward red such as Ricominciare Malbec and a fresh, mild goat cheese like Vermont Creamery’s Chevre. Take a bite and a sip and imagine enjoying baked puff pastry filled with goat cheese and blueberry compote. Yum.

Cheddar & Cider

Could we really call ourselves a Vermont market if we didn’t include cheese and apples? We love combining the flavors of a sharp, flinty Vermont cheddar such as Shelburne Farms 1-Year and a sweet, refreshing local cider. If you want to keep with the wine theme, try one of Fable Farm’s Cider-as-Wines. Their effervescent Emanation would be Glenn’s pick!

We hope you enjoy our suggestions. However, our main tip for this tasting experience is simple—have fun! And have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!