'Wine & cheese' alternatives

beclm · February 2016

Hi girls,
Ive always been one to enjoy a nice 'wine & cheese', especially after work to relax and weekend afternoons. So it's no surprise that I'm starting to greatly miss this! I've tried things like cranberry juice, soft drink, cream cheese on crackers and good old cheddar. But I was wondering if you girls have any other suggestions?!

Thanks!

bsckgb7 · February 2016

Your cheese just needs to be pasturized. Most widely available cheese is safe to eat (unless you are getting some super fancy cheese).

Kjohnson1426 · February 2016

There is a wine called Fre. It is an alcohol removed wine and a great alternative. They have a variety of whites and reds. I have found them at major grocery stores and Amazon.

tisunge602 · February 2016

I was also going to mention Fre. I have only tried their Red Blend, which I was disappointed with as I found it just tasted like grape juice. I have a bottle of their Merlot in the cabinet, though, and I'm hoping that will be better. (I don't drink white wine and I think those are the only two reds they have).

misslissa32 · February 2016

Try drinking other things from a wine glass. I know it's not the same, but the other afternoon I really enjoyed my smoothie out of a wine glass! So fancy lol

WinnieLou82 · February 2016

I'm with you - I miss wine! But I do eat plenty of cheese.

I've heard the Fre isn't great but their fake champagne is pretty good - I have a bottle to try this weekend! I also think the O'Douls Amber is a good beer alternative.

tisunge602 · February 2016

WinnieLou82 said:

I'm with you - I miss wine! But I do eat plenty of cheese.

I've heard the Fre isn't great but their fake champagne is pretty good - I have a bottle to try this weekend! I also think the O'Douls Amber is a good beer alternative.

I agree on the O'Douls Amber. I'm a bit of a beer snob and it's one of the better ones I've tried. Kaliber is also a good one but harder to find. Word to the wise: St. Pauli NA is terrible, as is Clausthaler.

mmclark10 · February 2016

I agree on the Fre red blends, they just taste like grape juice. There is another brand called ARIEL that I don't remember if I tried with my first pregnancy. Definitely think the Fre and ARIEL champagnes are the best options! Thanks for the tip on O'Douls Amber, I've never tried that but might need to this summer! I can't imagine not being able to enjoy something cool (not water) when it gets hot on a patio.

tmk0325 · February 2016

I actually rather enjoy Clausthaler! Had it for the first time this weekend and bought a 6 pack. I'm going to have to look for FRe too. I've never heard of that brand of wine. And like everyone else said I wouldn't worry to much about the cheese, almost all of them in the U.S are pasteurized unless it's some fancy cheese.

charmedlifex3 · February 2016

Orange juice and ginger ale has been my go to "mocktail" - it tastes a little like a mimosa. Plus, I make sure to buy the real ginger gingerale, so it helps my stomach settle.

Mrsrundell · February 2016

We still have our charcuterie boards on the regular! We actually found more cheeses are pastureized than raw - even the "fancy" cheese from whole foods and what not. It will clearly saw raw milk or pastureized milk on the ingredient list on the packaging.

ramoseecology · February 2016

If you have a Trader Joe's they have a great selection of pasteurized cheeses--last week I had chevre, a wild mushroom brie and another I can't remember.

beclm · February 2016

Thanks everyone for the tips! I found a nice alcohol removed white wine today called Miranda (I'm in Australia) so that satisfied my Sunday afternoon craving! Ive also had a few slices of Camembert, after doing much debating over it. I figure surely it can't hurt every once in a while.

Curls919 · February 2016

As long as the cheese is pasteurized you're fine. I've had Brie plenty of times! I just stay away from the moldy cheeses (blue, Gorgonzola, etc)

Bookhousegirl · February 2016

I just bought my husband a few nice cheeses for Valentine's Day from whole foods and they are all pasteurized so no need to hold back on the cheese! It's one of my favorite apps, especially when entertaining. I've hated the Fre wine but the sparkling wine was actually ok (maybe because I don't mind that a bit sweeter).

bananers · February 2016

Blue cheese and Gorgonzola are fine too, as long as they're pasteurized. You'd be hard pressed to find much unpasteurized cheese in the US, except some imports from a specialty shop. Even most of the fancy cheeses are pasteurized.

I have been enjoying sparkling water as an alternative to wine. I can't do the fake wine because it's too close without actually being very good.

whitney812 · February 2016

I have been trying lots of different sparkling flavored water brands! Some just take like flavored water, but some I find remind me of a real cocktail. I tried this Cascade Ice brand that was called Rasberry Lemon Twist or something and it really made me feel like I was having a cocktail lol. Also it's great because no added sugar

MamaKSquared · February 2016

I wouldn't consider it a wine alternative, but I have also been enjoying some of the flavored sparkling waters. My favorite has been La Croix. I love the grapefruit. If you add it to some orange juice, it tastes really close to a mimosa.

Neesey · February 2016

Ginger beer with a squeeze of lime is great. I struggle with Fre since I don't like sweet wine at all. And bring on the cheese! I had Brie, turkey and green apple sandwiches every day last week.

HeyStVincent · February 2016

I find the Fre champagne to be OK if it's served freezing cold. It is on the sweet side (and I like drier wines and bubbles) but it is OK for when I really feel like a glass of wine is due. Also, soft cheese is fine as long as it is pasteurized and hasn't been sitting in your fridge, open, for a week or so. You do have to be careful in restaurants though. In Chicago a lot of the nicer restaurants will serve quite a few raw cheeses. Just ask your server if it's not specified on the menu.

ThursdayMorning · February 2016

I'm able to find amazing cheeses that are safe.

As as for wine alternatives- try experimenting with fun mocktails. Just made an amazing one:

2 parts ginger beer
2 parts soda water
1 part fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 part grenadine
Lots of ice. Poured into your fanciest glass.
Add more lemon to taste

ebilbao · February 2016

Neesey said:

Ginger beer with a squeeze of lime is great. I struggle with Fre since I don't like sweet wine at all. And bring on the cheese! I had Brie, turkey and green apple sandwiches every day last week.

I ate Brie, turkey and green apple sandwiches like it was my job when I was pregnant with DS. I would also drizzle them with honey and sprinkle freshly ground black pepper...ermahgerd...so good.

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