Cheese and Wine Pairings Inspired by a Weekend in Los Angeles

Source: Unsplash

If you've been scrolling through job boards lately and spotted one of those “LA bartender positions open now” ads, you’ve probably noticed something: the game has changed. It’s not just about shaking a decent mezcal margarita anymore. These gigs want vibe curators, flavor nerds, and yes—people who know their Brie from their bloomy rinds.

In a city where wine bars are more common than parking spots and cheese boards have their own IG fanbases, being a bartender with pairing knowledge is like unlocking a cheat code.

To flex your pairing game, here’s a city-inspired guide where every cheese and wine combo hits like a perfect LA moment.

Friday Arrival – First Stop: Rooftop Hangout in Silver Lake

Pairing: Burrata + Orange Wine

You just landed, dropped your bag at the boutique Airbnb, and your friend insists you have to hit this rooftop in Silver Lake before sunset. Burrata is on the menu—because of course it is—and someone orders a bottle of orange wine like they’ve been waiting all week for this moment.

Why it works: Burrata’s creamy center is the perfect match for the dry, tannic grip of orange wine. It’s like soft jazz and sharp lighting—moody, but balanced. Orange wine has a wild child energy (like LA itself), and Burrata smooths it out like oat milk in a cortado. Add grilled peaches or citrus, and you're golden.

Saturday Lunch – Venice Beach Picnic

Pairing: Goat Cheese + Pet-Nat

You hit Venice early, maybe after a longboard lesson or people-watching marathon. For lunch, it’s a laid-back picnic on the sand. You’ve got a baguette, herbed goat cheese, and a chilled Pet-Nat you grabbed from a wine bar that smells like incense and ambition.

Why it works: Goat cheese brings the tang. Pet-Nat brings the fizz and fun. Together? Absolute beach babe energy. It’s bright, slightly funky, a little chaotic (in a cute way), and totally refreshing.

Pro move: Whip the goat cheese with olive oil, lemon zest, and a pinch of chili flakes. Makes it spread like a dream—and adds a spicy kick.

Saturday Dinner – Romantic Hilltop Spot in Hollywood Hills

Pairing: Blue Cheese + Riesling

You clean up real nice and head to a candlelit dinner with a view—one of those tucked-away LA spots that make you feel like you're on the guest list. You order a blue cheese starter and spot a Riesling on the wine list that isn’t bone dry. Perfect.

Why it works: The salt and funk of blue cheese need something sweet but structured. An off-dry Riesling brings honey, acid, and class—kind of like an Oscar winner who still shops at Erewhon.

Level-up tip: Skip the usual suspects like Roquefort and ask your server if they have something local, like Point Reyes Bay Blue. LA loves local, and you should too.

Saturday Night – Backyard Party in Echo Park

Pairing: Washed-Rind Cheese + Lambrusco

The dinner fades into a lively backyard party with string lights, someone’s DJ playlist, and definitely a dog in sunglasses. There’s a washed-rind cheese on the board that smells like it’s been to Burning Man. Someone pops open a chilled Lambrusco—and suddenly, the whole party levels up.

Why it works: Washed-rind cheeses (like Taleggio or Epoisses) are bold, earthy, and sometimes a little gnarly. Lambrusco—a dry, sparkling red—fizzes right through the funk. It’s funky-meets-fizzy, and your taste buds are invited to the rave.

Sunday Morning – The Hangover Fix

Pairing: Aged Gouda + Tempranillo

You wake up groggy, a little sunburned, and hungry in that very specific way only a post-party Sunday allows. There’s no judgment today—just you, Netflix, and the snack stash. Cue the aged Gouda and a glass of red that didn’t get finished last night (but still slaps).

Why it works: Aged Gouda is nutty, sweet, and full of those glorious cheese crystals. Tempranillo brings the leather, the spice, the deep fruit. It's comfort food in luxury packaging. The kind of combo that makes you feel alive again.

Insider tip: Toss the Gouda in the freezer for five minutes. It intensifies the crunch factor. Weird? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Sunday Brunch – Wrap Party in West Hollywood

Pairing: Triple-Crème Brie + Sparkling Rosé

Final stop before you jet off: a bougie West Hollywood brunch. There’s a cheese plate on the menu that includes a thick slice of triple-crème Brie, and naturally, you’re ordering the sparkling rosé.

Why it works: Triple-crème Brie is indulgent and silky. Sparkling rosé is light, crisp, and just acidic enough to cut through the fat. It’s like Dua Lipa on a red carpet—polished, pink, and a little provocative.

Little-known advice: Ask for a side of fresh raspberries or drizzle of honey with your Brie. Fruit + fat + fizz = pure brunch magic.

Final Sip and Nibble Thoughts

Pairing cheese and wine doesn’t have to be a bougie, stuck-up affair with rules carved into marble. Let LA be your spirit guide.

And if you’re pouring wine behind a bar in Echo Park or curating cheese boards for Sunday brunch shifts, don’t sleep on the pairing game. Customers remember the bartender who tells them Riesling and blue cheese go together like Coachella and fringe boots.