This week it really started to feel like fall in LA. The days are still warm but the nights are getting dark much earlier, and there’s a crispness in the air that signals fall is here to stay!

Wine

I introduced this wine’s cousin, Perle Noire, in a summer pairing a while ago and am excited to bring the Perle d’Aurore to light this week as proof that it doesn’t need to be summer to enjoy a good rosé or bubbly! This divine wine is first crushed in a pneumatic press, and then undergoes alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It is then bottled to form its bubbles through the méthode traditionelle, then aged for 15 months to ensure the lees (sediment of wine in the barrel) impart maximum aroma and finesse. Be prepared for the surprising attack in the mouth, though, as this is definitely a wine to be reckoned with! Consider placing a few pomegranate seeds or blackberries in your glass for extra fun!
Use Wine-Searcher.com to figure out where you can find this delicious wine in your neighborhood!

Music

For this pairing, we recommend sticking with the classical repertoire, even going as back as far as Bach or Vivaldi whose light instrumentation support the elegance of the Perle d’Aurore. Chopin waltzes and mazurkas will bring those boisterous bubbles to life, and even though we’re dealing with a solo instrument here – the piano – the full and lively harmonies in Chopin’s work are perfect for this wine. My favorite is Waltz #5 in A-flat Major, Op. 42, “Two Four.” Everyone interprets Chopin a little differently but I recommend Vladimir Ashkenazy, Idil Beret, or Arthur Rubinstein. Put the waltzes on, and just relax into these spectacular nuggets of musical delight.

Cheese

You probably recognize the top cheese in this picture as plain goat cheese. The tartness of the cheese is tempered really well by the bubbles in the wine. On the bottom is Delice de Bourgogne, a crowd favorite. The bubbles cut through the fat (it’s a triple cream cheese), making it easier just to keep eating and eating it!

This is a really decadent, feel-good pairing, something I’m sure we could all use these days. Let us know what you loved about it.