Wine Pairing: Warm Goat Cheese Salad
By: Sarah Chappell
Published: June 10, 2011

One of my favorite meals as the seasons transition from spring to summer is a Warm Goat Cheese Salad. This salad slowly pulls me into the fresh veggies that I crave in the heat while still letting me cling to some hint of cooler weather with the warm goat cheese.
The recipe just begs for a crisp and refreshing white wine or lean, earthy red. Try any of these varieties to bring out the flavors of the goat cheese while not overwhelming the delicate salad.
Sauvignon Blanc 
	Head to Sancerre, a French region that is famed for its crisp and mineral sauvignon blanc. This wine is chock full of acidity, pairing perfectly with tangy goat cheese.
Chardonnay
	Clean and fruit-focused chardonnay, like an unoaked one from South Africa or Australia, is a lovely salad pairing, but avoid the overtly toasty and buttery styles as they can dominate this recipe.
Gamay
	Find a fruit-forward yet slightly stinky gamay from the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, or a fun California producer to pick up on the goat cheese's natural funk.
Syrah
	A lean syrah in the Northern Rhone style will do you well. Look for one with more savory notes of cracked black pepper and olive brine.
 
Warm Goat Cheese Salad