FRESH PEARS, CHEESE and WINE:
A Tasty TRADITION

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the French and Belgians started the wave of pear cultivation that led to most of the pear varieties now thriving in the Pacific Northwest. Europeans inevitably partnered pears with wines and cheeses to create elegant appetizers, desserts and cheese courses.

Specially selected combinations developed and tested by gourmet chefs are outlined below. We are sure that these combinations will enhance your soirée, lunch, or picnic.

We are pleased to include selections and expertise shared by Northwest chef and James Beard Award winner, Caprial Pence. Use these suggestions or experiment and develop your own combinations, and let your taste buds be your guide!

For your own Northwest Pear, Cheese and Wine selector, send a receipt for purchase of Northwest Pears (cash register receipt), along with your name and address to:

Pear Cheese Wine Selector
Pear Bureau Northwest
4382 SE International Way, Suite A
Milwaukie, OR 97222

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1. Anjou / Soft Goat Cheese / Sauvignon Blanc (Caprial's selection)

   Anjou is very sweet and juicy when fully ripe, with excellent pear aroma.

   Soft mild goat cheese (Montrachet Style) is creamy with a slightly chalky texture and a clean, tangy finish; very mild in flavor. This cheese will not overpower the mild Anjou flavor, and the nice tangy finish complements the pear's sweetness.

   Sauvignon Blanc has a clean herbal flavor with grapefruit and citrus notes and a clean, crisp finish. The citrus notes complement the pear's sweet flavor and the creamy cheese texture without overwhelming the palate. The wine's crisp finish freshens your mouth for the next bites of pear and cheese.

   Anjou / Brie / Demi-Sec Champagne (Option 2)

   Pear		Smooth, sweet, juicy
   Cheese		Smooth, creamy-buttery
   Wine		Green apple and apricot flavors with a buttery, slightly sweet finish

2. Bosc / Aged White Cheddar / Cabernet Sauvignon (Caprial's selection)

   Bosc is a pear with dense flesh and a nutty, spicy flavor. Mildly sweet, this "savory" pear is often used in cooking.

   Aged White Cheddar cheese has a bold, nutty flavor; a grainy, almost chalky texture; and a tangy finish. With its denser flesh and more savory flavor, the Bosc can stand up to the intense cheddar. The spicy-sweet pear flavor contrasts nicely with the cheese's tangy finish.

   Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold wine with assertive fruit that contrasts with the aged cheddar and complements the sturdier flavor of the Bosc.

   Bosc / Parmesana Reggiano / Barberesco (Option 2)

   Pear		Mildly sweet, mildly herbaceous and savory
   Cheese		Bold, sharp, creamy with well-developed flavors
   Wine		Bold-bronze, mild herb nose, slightly acidic, big-bodied

3. Bartlett / Saint André / Brut Champagne (Caprial's selection)

   Bartlett is a very juicy pear that is very aromatic with a smooth texture. It's the first pear that comes to mind when discussing pear flavors.

   Saint André cheese is a triple cream cheese that is very smooth and buttery-a very nice compliment to the sweet, juicy Bartlett. The subtle cheese flavor is ideal next to the aromatic pear.

   Brut Champagne is very dry, with a toasty, almost nutty flavor. It contrasts nicely with the richness of the cheese and the sweet flavor of the pear, without asserting itself so much that the other flavors are lost.

   Bartlett / Fontina cheese / Merlot (Option 2)

   Pear		Subtle aromatics; smooth texture
   Cheese		Rich smooth texture, musty finish
   Wine		Chocolate - cherry - tobacco overtones; smooth to slightly bold finish.

4. Comice / Stilton / Ruby Port (Caprial's selection)

   Comice is the sweetest of all pears and a bit heavier in texture. It's an especially good dessert pear with full-bodied flavor.

   Stilton is a very strong blue cheese with a salty, slightly chalky or grainy texture. This cheese will contrast nicely with the sweet and strong pear flavors.

   Ruby Port is a rich wine with ripe berry flavors that partner wonderfully with the sweeter pear. The Port's rich body contrasts with the strong forward texture of the blue cheese.

   Comice / Roquefort / Sauternes (Option 2)

   Pear		Smooth and sweet, full flavors.
   Cheese		Sharp - rich - musty - mellow finish
   Wine		Bold- rich body - tannic - smooth finish

5. Forelle / Port Salut / Dry Riesling (Caprial's selection)

   Forelle pears are small but very juicy with a mild, sweet flavor. Even when ripe, the pears keep a crisp texture.

   Port Salut is a semi-soft cheese with mild, nutty flavor and a creamy texture-a nice complement to the pear's juicy flavor and crisp texture.

   Dry Riesling is a fruity wine that blends very well with the mild pear flavor and the nutty flavors of the cheese. The dry finish of the Riesling prepares your palate for the next delicious bite of pear and cheese.

   Forelle / Maytag Blue / Late Harvest Riesling (Option 2)

   Pear		Sweet, mildly grainy, juicy
   Cheese		Buttery - smooth flavor - slightly acidic - cream finish
   Wine		Sweet, apricot tones, buttery

6. Seckel / Fontina / Pinot Noir (Caprial's selection)

   Seckel is the smallest regional variety; a very sweet and very juicy pear.

   Fontina is a semi-soft cheese with a slightly pungent aroma and flavor and a very creamy texture.

   Pinot Noir is a medium body wine with forward fruit and a soft finish. Tones of blackberries and a somewhat floral aroma make this a lovely wine to showcase the sweet, juicy pear and the creamy texture of the cheese.

   Seckel / Beaujolais / Havarti (Option 2)

   Pear		Very sweet, rose hip tones
   Cheese		Creamy, dense, subtle herb
   Wine		Floral, green pepper, lavender nose

7. Red Bartlett / Brie / Reserve Chianti (Caprial's selection)

   Red Bartlett is a mild pear with a soft, aromatic pear aroma and flavor. It is very juicy when ripe. Even when ripe, the Bartlett has a pleasing texture; neither too soft nor too grainy.

   Brie is a mild cheese with a very creamy texture. Brie has a slightly nutty flavor. When riper, it has a bit stronger flavor and aroma.

   Reserve Chianti is a full-bodied wine with a softer finish than the more rustic Chianti Classico. This wine has an earthy, slightly fruity flavor, with a soft but slightly tannic finish. The earthy flavors highlight the earthiness of the Brie's rind, and blend very well with the aromatic pear flavor. The slightly tannic finish cuts through the creamy texture of the cheese and the sweet flavor of the pear.

   Red Bartlett / Stilton / Tawny Port (Option 2)

   Pear		Smooth texture, aromatic
   Cheese		Creamy - smooth finish - buttery - low acidic
   Wine		Sweet - rich body - currant overtones - prune nose