The first Farmstead Cheeses and Wines opened in 2003 in the Alameda Marketplace. Since that time, we've become a destination for Bay Area foodies and have been named Best Cheese Store and Best Wine Store by several East Bay publications. We opened our second shop in Montclair Village in 2008. Relax,  It's Just Food is more than just our motto - it's how we approach the often intimidating process of selecting great cheeses and wines with and for our customers. We dislike food and wine snobs as much as you do, but that won't stop us from finding under the radar and hard-to-find wines and perfectly presented handcrafted and artisan cheeses. 510 864 WINE (9463) ◊ 866 931 WINE (9463) ◊ info@farmstead.biz Alameda & Montclair Store Hours / DirectionsOne enjoyable aspect of dining out is finding drinks that perfectly pair with food. Wine and cheese bars remain hugely popular in Chicago, and there are so many to choose from throughout the Windy City. Below are five places where patrons will find friendly service, abundant choices and new cheeses and wines to try.

694 Wine and Spirits 694 N Milwaukee Ave The waiters at 694 Wine and Spirits gladly share their recommendations with anyone who asks. All insider knowledge at this chic wine bar is helpful, because the small menu offers wonderful selections of reds, dessert and white wines, along with a handful of champagnes and beers. With your waiter’s advice, perfectly pair your bubbles with either soft, semi-firm, firm or even stinky cheeses. guide to buying wineThis restaurant denotes which options are simply the best with a superman emblem alongside their listing on the menu. what's the best wine to drink with chickenMake sure you try at least one cheese offering. best wines under 20 in bcBut don’t overlook the charcuterie options as well.

These meats hail from the famous Salumi Artisan in Seattle. All of the cheese platters also come with a few complements like bread, honey and marcona almonds. 505 N Michigan Ave With an atmosphere reminiscent of a wine cellar — despite being in the Intercontinental Hotel — Eno is a unique place to enjoy some drinks and cheese. Eno takes wine and cheese pairings to a whole new level by offering wine and cheese flights. To make it even more delicious, Eno also offers chocolate flights so patrons can get more samples. If these pairings have your tastebuds in a whirl, attend an Eno-Versity seminar to learn more about the delight of this combination. As the hotel’s name implies, the wines and foods are from all over the world, from Wisconsin to Brazil. Related: Best Chicago Wine Bars 601 N State St If you have a taste for some bubbly, Pops for Champagne is the perfect place to go, as it offers almost 200 sparkling wines and champagnes. Those are wonderfully complemented by a seasonal menu of assorted cheeses.

Michigan’s Reny Picot Gouda is among one of the creamiest of those offered, and who can say no to Shepard’s Way, a mouth-watering brie from Hidden Falls, Minnesota? Hop the pond and sample a unique honey-infused goat cheese from Belgium if you so choose. The menu also includes charcuterie, as well as a variety of snacks and plates. With Pops’ intimate atmosphere, it’s a great place to meet up with friends or for date night. 1023 W Lake St A great alternative to the always-popular Avec, Vera is a Spanish wine bar offering a variety of traditional tapas and wine (even some on tap). The menu includes a wonderful assortment of cheeses, of course. Just ask the servers and they’ll help you choose between the sheep, cow, goat and buffalo cheese options. Get three cheeses for just $9 and five for $15. If sticking with all things Spanish, go with the Manchego, Monte Enebro or Pata Cabra from the motherland. 338 W Armitage Ave While a newcomer to the wine and cheese scene (opening in April 2010), Vintage 338 has already established itself as a premier place for wine and tapas, including loads of different cheeses.

The place is small and dark, but the Spanish, Italian and French-inspired wine menu is quite large. The cheese options offer a nice range too, with individual samples of cheese for $3.50 each, or $10 per plate for the Chef’s cheese plate. The Chef’s plate sampler includes three cheeses. The Brie Trio is a fantastic option, as it provides three variations of this beloved creamy spread. Don’t forget to try the crostinis too, as they’re a perfect complement to the wine and cheese. Related: Best Whiskey Bars in Chicago Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she’s scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. This is a question that has often been posed to the Creamery. On December 6, 2006, Tillamook Cheese brought together various artisan cheese makers and wine producers from the Northwest. Sixteen culinary experts agreed- Cougar Gold® pairs best with Viognier, Savignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. We also contacted some wineries and asked them for their opinions. Below reflects their opinions regarding Cougar Gold®. One winery suggests a wine with some acidity and not too much sweetness. The acidity acts to cut the butter fat in the cheese so taste buds are not covered up. Another winery suggests Chenin Blanc for a white wine and a bold Merlot, Cabernet or Syrah for red wines. For our flavored Viking cheeses, research has revealed that dry red wines, light to medium in body and fruity work well. Once again, these are only opinions. Perhaps a gathering with friends, Cougar Cheeses and your favorite wines is the best bet to determine what you like. The WSU Creamery reminds you to drink responsibly. Purchasing cheese from the WSU Creamery helps support student employees of Washington State University by providing competitive wages and valuable work experiences. A portion of the revenue from the sale of WSU Creamery products is used for educational support of Food Science students.