The Wine: Saint Véran Tastevine Mainson Chardonnier 2005 ($12)
The Cheese: Big Ed's from Homestead Creamery, Cleveland, Wisconsin

The Saint Véran 2005 white Burgundy will appeal to those who shun the excessive oak and butter that often dominates New World Chadonnays. It has flint and grapefruit on the nose and appealing mineral and floral notes on the palette. I paired it up with a great cheese from Wisconsin called Big Ed’s. The Saxon Homestead Creamery in Cleveland, Wisconsin, makes Big Ed’s in small batches and it’s obvious that they take great care in their craft. This cheese packs in a huge amount of flavor that is rounded out by a velvety texture. The hazelnut flavors of the cheese integrated wonderfully with the acid in the Saint Véran. Both the wine and cheese are medium-bodied (if there is such a thing as a medium-bodied cheese?), which made them fine partners. My kids loved the Big Ed’s – always a sign of a good cheese.