IMG_6851Charcuterie is a delicious branch of cooking dedicated to prepared meat products such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, pâtés, and confit. Les Trois Petits Cochons (Three Little Pigs) is a company thats handcrafting charcuterie for in home dining and entertaining. From Sliced Jambon Sec to Smoked Duck Breast and Duck Leg Confit, the options are endless and come in perfectly sealed packaging for optimal freshness. 

I recently had some girlfriends over for a night of Rhone Valley Wine and Les Trois Petits Cochons Charcuterie. Arranged on my wooden chopping block was: Smoked Duck Breast, Duck Leg Confit, Saucisson Sec (dry French style sausage) and Saucisson Sec aux Cèpes (dried sausage with porcini mushrooms). The sausage is incredible! It’s easy to slice, full of flavor, and really complimented the 2013 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage red wine very well. The smoked duck breast and duck leg confit were also two top favorites in the tasting. Both duck selections come fully cooked and are a great addition to an upscale charcuterie arrangement. I was wildly impressed and very pleased with the quality, taste, and texture of it all.

Alongside the selection of meats were Petits Poivrons (sweet mini peppers) and Cornichons Piquants (sweet and spicy baby gherkins), which I think are essential to any charcuterie board because:

  1.  I am obsessed with anything and everything pickles
  2. They add a much needed crunch factor to this style of dining

IMG_6853The wine paired that evening is from the Rhone Valley in France and is a perfect pairing with this selection of charcuterie, because the wine is 100% Syrah and full of red berries and delicate oak aromas. On the palate, it’s  structured, tannic, and complimented the seasoned duck leg confit, sausages, and interestingly enough the sweet mini peppers! Les Trois Petits Cochons also offers some really wonderful terrines such as the Terrine de Saumon Fumé (smoked salmon) and Terrine d’Epinards au Roquefort (Spinach Terrine with Roquefort). Both terrines are deliciously spreadable and very versatile. Terrines can be enjoyed on Petit Toasts (which they sell on the site), baguette, or crostini. I also really enjoy the smoked salmon terrine as a brunch option, paired with some Champagne.

If you’re having a party or get together with great friends and wine, I highly recommend Les Trois Petits Cochons, paired with some E. Guigal rhone valley wines. Both the white and red wines from this producer in Crozes-Hermitage will pair perfectly with almost anything from the Les Trois Petits Cochons selection. The quality and variety are exactly what you need to plan the perfect evening!

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love… please pair responsibly!