Strawberry and goat cheese salad
The combination of tangy goat cheese and sweet strawberries in this salad creates a delicate balance between creaminess and bright acidity. Crisp, high-acid white wines complement the goat cheese while enhancing the strawberry notes, while wheat-based beers with fruity esters and light tartness provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy elements.
Recommended Wines
Scarpetta Prosecco Brut
Scarpetta's Prosecco Brut brings a touch more sophistication to Italy's favorite sparkling wine – made in a properly dry style that lets the fruit shine without relying on residual sugar for character. From the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, this Prosecco is crafted using the Charmat method, where the secondary fermentation happens in pressurized tanks rather than in the bottle. The name 'Scarpetta' refers to the Italian tradition of using bread to soak up the last bit of sauce on your plate – essentially 'making a little shoe' to capture every last delicious drop. Created by a Master Sommelier and chef team, these wines are designed specifically with food pairing in mind. This Prosecco strikes the perfect balance between crowd-pleasing accessibility and genuine character – ideal for everything from celebratory toasts to brunch beverages to the classic Aperol Spritz. It's the sparkling wine for people who want something more interesting than the supermarket standard but aren't looking to take out a second mortgage for Champagne.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Gruner Veltliner
Dr. Konstantin Frank isn't just a winery – it's a piece of American wine history. The eponymous Dr. Frank was a Ukrainian viticulturist who revolutionized winemaking in the eastern United States by proving that European vinifera grapes could thrive in the cold climate of the Finger Lakes region. This Grüner Veltliner continues his legacy of innovation. While Austria may be Grüner's spiritual home, this New York version shows that terroir matters more than tradition. The cool climate of the Finger Lakes provides the perfect conditions for this variety to develop its characteristic pepper and citrus notes while maintaining mouthwatering acidity. What makes this bottle special is how it combines Old World structure with New World fruit expression – it's like the wine equivalent of an exchange student who brings the best of both cultures. Perfect for those looking to expand their white wine horizons beyond the usual suspects.
Arendsig Inspirational Batch 2 Grenache
South Africa might not be the first place that comes to mind for Grenache, but this bottle from Arendsig makes a compelling case that perhaps it should be. Part of winemaker Lourens van der Westhuizen's 'Inspirational Batch' series, this small-production wine represents his creative experiments beyond the winery's core range – and the inspiration clearly struck gold here. This Grenache captures the variety's inherent charm – that perfect balance of fruity and savory that makes it so food-friendly – while adding a distinctly South African accent. There's a brightness and purity to the fruit that speaks of the country's abundant sunshine, tempered by an earthy complexity that keeps things grounded. Made with minimal intervention from single-vineyard fruit, it's a wonderful example of the exciting wines emerging from South Africa's dynamic wine scene. For fans of Pinot Noir or Cru Beaujolais looking to expand their horizons, this bottle offers familiar pleasure with a new perspective.
Jadix Picpoul de Pinet Sud de France
Picpoul de Pinet has been called the 'Muscadet of the South,' and for good reason – both are crisp, mineral-driven whites that pair perfectly with seafood. Jadix's version showcases exactly why this grape (whose name literally means 'lip-stinger' in the local Occitan language) has become such a favorite among wine enthusiasts. From the sunny Languedoc region near the Mediterranean coast, this Picpoul delivers that perfect combination of bright citrus fruit and saline minerality that makes it so refreshing and food-friendly. It's the kind of white wine that doesn't need to shout to make an impression – instead, it offers subtle complexity and pure drinking pleasure at a price that makes it perfect for everyday enjoyment. If you're looking for an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that offers similar refreshment but with a distinctive personality all its own, this bottle deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
Broadbent Vinho Verde
If refreshment were a religion, this wine would be its holy water. Broadbent's classic Vinho Verde delivers that signature light spritz and mouthwatering acidity that makes it the ultimate warm-weather sipper – and at just 9% alcohol, you can enjoy it all afternoon without worry. Vinho Verde (literally 'green wine') refers not to its color but to its youthful character – these wines are meant to be consumed fresh and young. Broadbent has established itself as one of the premier importers of Portuguese wines, and their own label Vinho Verde perfectly captures the style's appeal. This is the wine to reach for when the temperature rises, when seafood is on the menu, or when you simply need something utterly refreshing and uncomplicated.
Recommended Beers
Lindemans Framboise
A sweet, raspberry-flavored lambic beer with a vibrant red color and intense fruity aroma. The raspberry flavor dominates but is balanced by the natural acidity of the lambic, creating a refreshing, dessert-like beer experience.
Boon Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait
A traditional Belgian fruit lambic made with 400 grams of cherries per liter and aged for at least three years in oak barrels. It offers intense cherry flavors balanced with oak and wild fermentation characteristics, resulting in a complex sour ale.
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
A traditional Bavarian wheat beer with a rich golden color, featuring characteristic notes of banana, clove, and subtle spice. The world's oldest brewery creates this refreshing, unfiltered wheat beer with a creamy texture and perfect balance.
Lindemans Pêche Lambic
Lindemans Pêche is a sweet, refreshing peach lambic with a beautiful golden color. Fresh peach aromas and flavors blend with the natural tartness of the lambic, creating a balanced, fruity beer that finishes with subtle acidity.
Recommended Wine Varietals
These wine varietals pair beautifully with strawberry and goat cheese salad. Browse our selection to find wines made from these grapes.
