I really loved putting on this event with Troupe Wines. I felt such a strong connection to their focus on storytelling - connecting drinkers to the person and the process behind the wine, not just the brand. It’s exactly what I try to do with my cheese tastings: bringing people closer to the farmer and the making, not just what’s on the plate.

I actually chose the wines first, then worked my way through a few different cheeses to find the pairings that felt right. It was a bit of a delicious trial-and-error process.

The wines we tasted were:

Alexander Arns, Riesling 2019, Germany
Martin Diwald, Welcome to the Jungle 2022, Austria
Rainer Schnaitmann, Lemberger (75%) & Trollinger (25%), Germany – 2023

Whenever I think about pairing cheeses, I always like to choose a selection of different milk types and textures. These cheeses are cow, goat, and sheep. I also included a slither of chocolate brownie to pair with the Mimolette and for me, this tasted like eating chocolate custard. I love experimenting with unique pairings - more on unusual pairings in a different blog! These were the cheeses that we tasted with the natural wine:

Sinodun Hill - goat - Wales
Alp Blossom - cow - Germany
Brin d’Amour - sheep - Corsica
Mimolette - cow - France

What is natural wine?

To put it simply natural wine is all about low-intervention winemaking. It uses wild (native) yeasts, allowing the grape and its place, its terroir, to express themselves more purely. The result can feel more raw, lively, and sometimes a little unpredictable compared to more conventional wines.

Who are Troupe?

Troupe is a winemaking collective created by Tom and Nick. They collaborate with independent natural winemakers across Europe, often working with people who want to experiment and step outside their usual style. It’s about giving space for creativity and individuality.

Even the labels say it all, each bottle features a bespoke illustration of the winemaker, so you’re not just picking up a wine, you’re connecting to the person behind it.

I came across a lovely blog by Jessica Palmarozza, where she writes about visiting Martin Diwald’s vineyard in Austria:

“Surrounded by vineyards, which in November were a brilliant orange, Martin lives with his wife and two daughters in a 19th-century farmhouse, across the road from his winery. His neighbours are either farmers or winemakers, or both.”

She captures Troupe so well too: it’s about foregrounding the winemakers. “Each release bears their name, each label tells their story — so as a drinker, you’re not just interacting with a brand, but with the farmer, the artist, the winemaker.”

This is why I enjoy showing photos at tasting events of the people involved in creating the cheeses, wines, or ciders, or whatever the product is that I am showcasing. The idea of connecting to the person behind the creation, brings you closer to what you are consuming and, personally, it enhances the whole tasting experience.

Enjoy the photos!