Sophisticated, elegant and complex cheeses like Manchego, Fontina and firm goat cheese are the very definition of good taste. Enjoy with an ensemble of Marcona almonds, jamón serrano, dried fruit, rustic crackers and honeycomb, then complete your magnum opus with well-balanced reds, oaked whites, malty beers or (if you’re feeling fortissimo) tequila-based cocktails. 

Manchego Sonata: A half-year intermission helps the traditional Spanish sheep milk cheese, Maese Miguel 6 Month Manchego, develop its nutty caramel and grassy olive oil flavors. For a suite española, pair with the crescendo of dark red cherry, plum and vanilla oak in Muriel Rioja Reserva.

Eine Kleine Hefeweizen: Set the tempo for your culinary recital with Erdinger Weißbier, an unfiltered wheat beer known for its nutty overture and notes of banana and biscuit. Serve with Maese Miguel 6 Month Manchego to create a harmony of mild, tangy flavors and aromas worthy of a standing ovation.

Well-Tempered Chianti: Conducted by master cheesemakers, Yellow Door Creamery Tuscan Fontina boasts a rich, creamy paste accented by Italian herbs. Savor in concert with Castello di Albola Chianti Classico for its symphony of earthiness, bright red fruit flavors and a long-lasting finish. 

Hahn de Deux: The raw goat milk cultures in locally produced Sierra Nevada Monterrey Jacques produce complex, herbaceous tones that vary with the four seasons. Create a delicious duet with the lush texture, ripe fruit flavors and crisp backbone of acidity in Hahn SLH Pinot Noir.

For an enticing encore, also try a timeless camembert.