Everyone knows the timeless pairing of wine and cheese. But have you explored wine with cake or chocolate? At the Fine Food Experience in Amsterdam, I tested bold combinations with Gallo Family Vineyards wines, pushing my taste buds to new heights. It was an unforgettable journey.
As a wine enthusiast—though not a sommelier—I've evolved from thinking all wines taste the same to developing distinct preferences after sampling diverse varieties. Join me in this personal exploration.
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I've long appreciated how wine and cheese complement each other perfectly—a glass of fine wine with cheese is my ideal evening (or afternoon) treat. My usual pairings are simple: cheese, toast, chips, or a Dutch bitterbal.
However, I'd never deeply explored food and wine pairings until I was invited to the Fine Food Experience in my favorite city, Amsterdam.
Sommelier Erik Heijkamp guided our group through Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood, pairing specific Gallo wines with offerings from specialty food shops. As someone who's attended numerous tastings, I was eager to share these expert-led discoveries.
This renowned pâtisserie crafts exquisite cakes, macarons, and sweets, supplying top catering services in Amsterdam and beyond. If you're local, it's a must-visit.
We sampled petite cakes, including a sublime raspberry tart paired with Gallo White Zinfandel—a fruity wine bursting with cherry and raspberry notes. The match was perfection. This versatile wine also shines with pesto pasta or seafood, though opt for another Gallo varietal with cheese.
Expert insights from sommelier Erik and passionate cheesemonger Rene Koelma at Burgundian Lifestyle elevated classic pairings. At their Jordaan shop (also in Beverwijk and Zuidwijkermeer), we tasted:
Gallo Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with Zwaluwgekwetter, Comté Fort Zuidwijkermeer, Blaue Kornblomst (a Danish blue I surprisingly enjoyed despite my usual aversion to strong blues), and Chevre Charolais. The combinations were challenging yet harmonious—a testament to professional pairing.
At Terre Lente, owner Luigi Pucciano—a former architect turned Calabrian import specialist—paired Gallo Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (my top picks) with bruschetta topped with lardo and chestnut honey, plus capocollo. Outstanding.
Our next stop ventured back to sweets.
I've learned wine pairs beautifully with sweets too. A walnut bonbon from Puccini Bomboni, Amsterdam's premier chocolatier, followed by Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato (a sweet wine I'd once overlooked) created pure bliss. Their handmade chocolates feature innovative flavors like lemongrass, ginger, rum, and Cointreau.
We wrapped up at Keizer Culinair cooking school with another glass of our favorite Gallo wine, inspired for home kitchens.
This afternoon of wine with cheese, cake, charcuterie, and chocolate was delightful—though driving home meant tiny sips. I've since recreated it at home. If you're in Amsterdam, visit these gems.
Founded in California by Italian-descended brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo over 80 years ago, Gallo Family Vineyards is now America's largest wine producer. Known for approachable wines, their lineup includes 9 core varietals and 2 Spritz options, available at Jumbo, Plus, Coop, Dirk supermarkets, and online.
Which Gallo wine is your favorite?
