AUSTIN, Texas (April 21, 2008) – Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, has put together a Camembert and Champagne pairing will make the hearts and palates of moms sing for seconds this Mother’s Day.
Celebrated for its award-winning distinctive flavors,
Nancy
’s Hudson Valley Camembert, created by
Old Chatham Sheepherding Company
, is a rich and creamy sheep’s milk and cow’s milk cheese from the rolling hills of New York’s Hudson River Valley and is modeled on the traditional French methods for crafting Camembert. Whole Foods Market cheese and wine buyers have chosen the
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Extrem
, a classic French sparkler made from 100 percent hand-selected Chardonnay grapes, to complement the Camembert.
“Whole Foods Market has picked the crème de la crème for all of the mothers out there who deserve a little luxury. When we tasted this delectable, soft-ripened cheese with the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Extrem, we knew the best of the class of both of these products was represented just in time for Mother’s Day,” said Cathy Strange, global cheese buyer for Whole Foods Market. “The heavier cream content of Nancy’s Camembert is lifted off the tongue by the crisp effervescence of the Champagne. It’s a delicious sensory experience perfect for a celebration.”
Created from the 1996 vintage, one of the best in decades, the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Extrem is a delicate pure expression of Champagne terroir with a perfect balance of fruity and dry. This Champagne is rendered without the typical ‘dosage,’ or added finishing sugar or alcohol such as cognac or brandy, which might be added because grapes have not been ripened due to weather, so the purity of the flavors of the grape shine.
“Nicolas Feuillatte is the rock star of Champagne, and their Brut Extrem was so special that Whole Foods Market bought the entire production. The initial juice for this wine was so pure and flavorful that the winemaker chose not to compromise the finished product by tampering with it,” said Geof Ryan, global co-wine buyer for Whole Foods Market. “This Champagne and Camembert pairing is a great example of why food is so important with wine. The creaminess of this cheese marries with the acid in the Champagne, and the two are so complementary because each cleanses your palate for the other.”
Nancy’s Hudson Valley Camembert slathered on Lesley Stowe’s handmade Cranberry Hazelnut Raincoast Crisps, a Whole Foods Market exclusive, is a perfect marriage. “These handmade crackers from Vancouver were discovered by our Team Members when we expanded into the Canadian region, and they have been a wild hit, unlike any cracker that you have tasted,” said Strange. “In particular, the tart cranberry and toasty hazelnut combine to make a decadent little snack, accentuating the creamy sweetness of the cheese.”
Strange also recommends these versatile Camembert pairings ideas to impress mothers on their special day:
- For brunch, wrap in phyllo sheets and sauté until crispy, serve on a bed of mixed baby greens accompanied with chutney;
- As an appetizer between lunch and dinner, serve simply on crostini or as an addition to a cheese tray, drizzled with local honey; or
- Enjoy as dessert with fresh blackberries or raspberries.
