Whether you are ringing in 2025 at a public gathering or individually, adding charcuterie boards and cheese to the dining menu pairs nicely with some nuts, fruit, crackers, bubbly or vino.
La Fromagerie in downtown Sudbury has a wide selection of fancy cheeses to compliment your cheese boards.
Owner Valerie Fremlin offers customers a fully stocked fridge that offers selections from around the globe.
She personally always leans towards well-aged cheese.
“Ubriaco Pinot Rose is referred to as a drunken cheese soaked in a red wine in Veneto, Italy, and then aged for about 10 months to absorb the wine flavours,” Fremlin said.
It’s also a pretty and festive cheese for this time of year because the rind is bright red from the wine.
Local sommelier and owner of wine-tasting business Terroir Tastings, Heather Downey says the cheese pairs nicely with Forchir Pinot Grigio Rosadis.
“The full-bodied dry wine with a soft rose shows nicely with ripe stone fruit, dried herbs with strawberry component coming through on the palate with a subtle almond note on the finish,” she suggests.
Fremlin also leans towards the culinary delicacy of the strong smelling fungi, the truffle in her cheese.
Right now, the Fromo (as it is nicknamed) has an Oveja Black Truffle cheese originating from Spain that is satisfying her taste buds.
Oveja is cured sheep cheese with the flavours becoming more intense the longer it is aged.
Downey said pairing the Oveja is a dream with purple-coloured Andeluna Malbec 1300 wine.
“It’s grown 1,300 meters above sea level with floral notes like violets. It also contains fruit from red plum and strawberries creating a fresh, smooth balance with a rich oak presence,” Downey said.
Much of the cheese selection brought in at La Fromagerie for the cheese fridge is carefully curated from places like La Ferme Black River Game Farm in Mississauga.
She said one fridge favourite among customers is the Château de Bourgogne, a rich, creamy and buttery French cheese from Burgundy.
“This triple-cream cheese is great for spreading on crackers and can also be served with fruit jellies or champagne,” she said.
Sommelier Downey likes to pair this with Serenissima Prosecco, which is perfect for ringing in the new year, she said.
“It’s fruity with notes of ripe, golden apple and yellow plum. The fine sparkle and creamy texture work beautifully with the richness of triple cream,” she said.
Customers nervous about their cheese selections always have the opportunity to feast on samples of the cheese and even wine flights when dining in.
Fremlin admits the planning has already begun for the Valentine’s Day wine and cheese pairing event.
In addition to adding flavour to your home charcuterie board, those interested in a jazzy celebration to celebrate the new year are welcomed at La Fromagerie on Dec. 31. The Fromo is hosting a New Year’s Eve event featuring the Sarah Craig Jazz Trio. Contact the restaurant for more information.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.