30 Under 30: Wednesday night wine and cheese lessons

If given the choice, I am quite confident that I could survive solely on wine and cheese (assuming, of course, that it didn’t severely affect my waistline and overall health).

It should come as no surprise, then, that St. James Cheese Company, at the corner of Prytania Avenue and Robert Street, is one of my favorite Uptown lunch spots. Offering a selection of gourmet cheeses, delicious over-stuffed sandwiches and salads, this Uptown spot always promises a delightful dining experience.

So when a friend suggested that I join her at one of St. James’ Wednesday-night cheese classes, I immediately said yes. Our party of four (a couple of additional wine and cheese lovers were recruited) attended the class last Wednesday, June 15, which featured five cheese-wine pairings for $30.

While the cheeses originated from various locations around the world (the Ossau-Iraty from France proved a favorite), all of the wines featured were Oregon Pinot Noirs. While I’ve never encountered a cheese I didn’t like, I’m much more of a white wine drinker, so my familiarity with Pinot Noirs was limited. However, the experts leading the class did a great job of offering interesting descriptions and facts about the pairings. For instance, I discovered that Pinot Noir is “one of the most romantic wines.”

I left the event content with a greater appreciation for Pinot Noirs and, if possible, an even greater love for cheese.

The classes are offered almost every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. and range in price from about $25 to $35. Each class is different, so it’s best to do a bit of research beforehand by checking out the store’s blog or calling ahead. Reservations are necessary because the classes fill up and space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spots by phone or email (click here for more information).