Summer elegance: goat cheese, pear & walnut salad with Château Canon Chaigneau 2011
When the summer sun is high and the mood is relaxed, sometimes all you need is a fresh, sophisticated salad, and the perfect bottle to go with it.
Here at Château Canon Chaigneau, as you now might know, we believe that red wine can absolutely shine in summer, especially when paired with dishes that play on texture, subtle sweetness, and contrast.
This week, we’re spotlighting a refined yet easy-to-make Goat Cheese, Pear & Walnut Salad, ideal for a light lunch or as a starter for a festive garden dinner. And the perfect companion? Our 2011 Grand Vin, matured to elegant complexity, ready to surprise and seduce with grace.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 150g mixed greens (curly endive, arugula, radicchio…)
- 100g goat cheese, crumbled
- 50g toasted walnuts
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & freshly ground pepper
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, mustard, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Season to taste.
- Toss the mixed greens with the dressing.
- Plate the greens, then gently layer the pear slices.
- Crumble goat cheese over the top and scatter with toasted walnuts.
- Finish with an extra drizzle of honey or balsamic, and a few turns of the pepper mill.
Why it pairs beautifully with Château Canon Chaigneau 2011
Our 2011 vintage, now perfectly mature, reveals notes of dried cherries, forest floor, tobacco leaf and a silky texture that elevate this seemingly simple salad into a wine-worthy dish. The sweetness of the pear and honey balances the wine’s subtle acidity. The goat cheese brings creaminess and freshness, while the walnuts mirror the earthy, slightly nutty undertones of the wine.
It’s a pairing that proves red wine isn’t just for winter stews, it’s for summer sophistication, too.
We’d love to see your version!
Tried this pairing at home? Share your photos on Instagram and tag @chateaucanonchaigneau — or send them by email. Our favourite entry will receive a little surprise from the vineyard… 🍷