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Capture Summer with the Perfect Swiss Artisanal Cheese and Wine Pairing Solaris – Sunshine in a glass
Discover Solaris
A local treasure widely unknown unless you live in its growing region, Solaris is a grape variety that yields a wine with an intense floral and fruity aromatic profile. Historically produced in Germany and in colder climates including the Swiss German region, Solaris is a hybrid that is crossed with the Muscat grape which contributes sweetness and aromatic qualities to the wine.
Interestingly, Solaris is not a one-note wine purely focused on fresh fruit. Its complexity is enhanced with concentrated fruit flavours such as dried apricot, bananas, dried apple rings, and pineapple. In addition, there are floral notes mingling with herbal hints of chamomile tea and a kiss of sweet honey. All of these sensorial elements linger on the palate and remind us of sunshine in a glass.
Solaris from Tschanz
Solaris from the winery Tschanz located in Twann on Lake Biel in canton Bern offers an emblematic example of this style of wine. We were enchanted from the first sip and convinced that we must share this discovery together with a selection of beautiful artisanal Swiss cheeses.
A Perfect Swiss Wine and Artisanal Cheese Pairing
Soft, bloomy rind cheeses
The floral and fruity notes of a Solaris wine are delightful when paired with a soft, bloomy rind cheese. The slight earthiness of the white rind balances the fruit-forward aspect of the wine which enhances the tasting experience.
Our recommendation for a soft, bloomy rind cheese is the Charme de Möser, which is an artisanal specialty from Molkerei Schönried located in canton Bern. This soft cheese is made with fresh cow’s milk from the neighbouring pastures. You can taste the hay in this cheese which reminds you of where the precious milk comes from – grass-fed cows. It has a creamy taste and texture which is balanced by a light tanginess. This cheese maintains its firm texture even as it comes to temperature for savouring.
Blue-veined cheeses
The highly fruity and perfumed aromas of Solaris can balance the funkiness of a blue cheese. We recommend not going too strong in the blue category but rather choose a milder style that serves as an undertone to the bright notes of the Solaris wine.
We recommend the Tomme au Bleu by Fromagerie Blanc Meyrat in canton Vaud. This is a refined, soft blue cheese with a bloomy, blue rind. The taste is subtly blue so it will not overpower the wine – or your taste buds! The earthiness of this cheese is enhanced by the sweetness of the Solaris wine.
You can enjoy the Solaris wine from Tschanz and the Charme de Möser artisanal cheese from Molkerei Schönried in our October 2021 Apéro Box from L’Atelier du Fromage.
Credit photos: L´atelier du Fromage
About Us
Every month, L’Atelier du Fromage offers a new discovery of Swiss artisanal flavours. The Cheese Ladies, Lhney Steiner and Johana Eidam Vautherot, travel to the four corners of Switzerland to find artisanal cheeses and good quality wines that will please any foodie. The boxes are prepared once a month and delivered directly to your home by Swiss Post.
Lhney and Johana have travelled to all the Swiss cantons and visited many artisanal cheese dairies. The meetings with the cheesemakers and winemakers are always a great pleasure. Sharing the passion and know-how of these craftsmen is at the heart of their mission.
