Wine & Cheese... in Soup?!?!

One of the ultimate sources of savory satisfaction is also one of the most elegant examples of the melding of cheese and wine. And its name is French Onion Soup.

This soup is ancient, dating back to Roman times, when onion soups were cheap and accessible. The recipe has developed (and some say, perfected by the French), and versions now include everything from milk to brandy. However, the basics remain: caramelized onions, beef broth, melted cheese on a bread "raft." 

At Cheesetique, we take the extra step of adding a healthy amount of red wine to our broth. Why? Cooked red wine gives dishes a deep, round fruitiness - it's something that can't be reproduced with any other ingredient. In this case, the fruity tang perfectly ties together the robust melted fromage (we use Gruyère) and the sweet caramelized onions.

I only wish more cooked dishes included cheese and wine in their recipes. For now, I will feast on the likes of Fondue and French Onion Soup. Someone just has to carry me home afterward :)