Editor’s Note: Asiago and the Accomplice (Whine & Cheese Cozy Mystery Series) by Judy Volhart is now available. Click here to order your copy.

I’ve always enjoyed going to the grocery store. These days, I have extra motivation as I hunt for new cheeses, salamis and other such things. There’s no such thing as a quick trip, since I need time to dawdle and drool. To be honest, it’s even a stress reliever in an odd way; all my worries melt away in much the same manner as a succulent piece of cheese melting in your mouth.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had pȃté. I instantly began to salivate when my beady eyes landed on the pȃté display. My tongue quivered with excitement. I had to have it. I chose the store brand garlic liver variety, one I’d had many times in the past and I knew would be divine on a freshly cut baguette. I was right. The combination was like a flavor explosion on the taste buds.

After careful consideration, I purchased a cow’s milk Gruyère, a cheese named after a district in Switzerland, described as firm and ripened. In this case, it was even lactose free, so if there’s any lactose intolerant cheese lovers out there, you might want to give this a try. It’s harder in texture and was a bit sharper than all the previous mild cheeses I’ve had of late, therefore I was very pleased with myself. It was delicious, with its slightly crumbly texture and perhaps a touch nutty flavor. The outer edges were definitely a bit firmer, so this cheese had no doubt been aged a while.

As you can see from my platter, I had to add a couple of other cheeses as well, left over from the week prior. Just look at that creamy brie in the middle!

I was determined not to choose a wine from the Niagara region this time and selected a red from California that helped me land a publisher for my book. I’d mentioned it briefly in my witty query letter that went out to a few dozen publishers over the course of a year and a half. For your amusement, I’ve provided an excerpt below which also gives a quick overview of book 1.

This wine is from a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon- each of which are tasty on their own, so imagine the three grapes combined? Party on the tongue. With any of the choices today, you can’t go wrong.

Happy shopping, happy eating, cheers, my friends.
Judy

If I were to suggest a robust Ménage à Trois, talk about luscious Guilty Men or a delightful Mommy’s Night Out, what would you think of? If you’re thinking Erotica, you would be mistaken but I did mislead you, didn’t I?

In my cozy mystery, the above are wines with wacky names that you can actually purchase, in real life. These are also the type of wines that are served in the main characters’ new bistro, the Whine and Cheese.

Thirty year- old Amalia Kis leaves the corporate world behind to open up a quirky little tapas-style bistro that serves funny wines, lots of cheeses and salamis and a side order of murder.

Set in an old renovated house in a small rural pocket of Ottawa, Ontario, the bistro is located on the main floor and the living quarters occupy the top half.

Amalia has two months to get the Whine and Cheese off to a good start before her cash runs out and she risks losing her business and her home.

—Excerpt from Asiago and The Accomplice (Whine & Cheese Cozy Mystery Series)