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Cheese Makes A Perfect Companion for those Sunny Day Picnics

As sunny days and warmer temps make more regular appearances, thoughts turn toward unhurried picnics and relaxed gatherings, perhaps tied to a day of winery hopping.

A bit of advance planning, will reward you with a well-stocked picnic basket brimming with delicious cheese and accompaniments is just the thing to banish hunger pangs that strike while enjoying Oregon's scenic wine country.

A trip to any specialty cheese counter will provide plenty of opportunities to savor -- but will selections pair well with the wide variety of wines you're likely to encounter? A few outstanding and easy-to-pair options make for interesting and tasty picnic fare.

While there are many American Artisan selections that would fit this bill, I'm turning my thoughts to imports this month. Perhaps I just long for an extended vacation to the South of France or Tuscany, but imported selections seem to call to me when I think of perfect picnic fare.

The rustic, simple flavors make them ideal with many types and styles of wine and the consistency of quality and flavor is a big plus. The ace in the hole is that these are as easy on the wallet as they are on the palate thanks to government support for the dairy industry in Europe. While I'm always excited to find a pricey gem to savor, sometimes a well-priced cheese of good quality is just what I'm looking for.

Bucheron is a delicious goat's cheese from the Loire Valley in central France. This visually striking cheese has a unique, bulls-eye pattern that showcases differences across several stages of aging.

The effects of ripening are visible just beneath the rind, where the cheese is slightly darker and shows a softer, smoother consistency and more mellow flavor than the tart, bright white interior which is similar to fresh goat cheese.

The center has an incredible, palate coating texture that is a knock out paired with a variety of wines, from fruity, medium bodied reds to crisp acidic whites like Sauvignon and Pinot Blanc.

For those new to the world of specialty cheese, Taleggio is often greeted with a raised eyebrow. Is it supposed to look like that? What...what's that smell?

I can assure you, your bravery will be rewarded with your first taste this cheese, a washed-rind from northern Italy. Soft and sliceable, this cheese develops its aroma, flavor and texture during its 6 week aging, during which it is washed weekly with a salt and water solution that encourages the formation of the moist, orange and quite aromatic rind.