Rosé de Loire Paired with Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Toasts

I have been drinking my fair share of Loire Valley wines this summer, from sparkling Crémant de Loire to Sancerre, Muscadet, and Rosé de Loire. These wines are perfect any time of the year, but they pair incredibly well with summer’s bounty of produce from the farmer’s market. My current case in point is all the tasty cherry tomatoes in all different colors and sizes — I can’t get enough of them. My solution to overflowing bowls of cherry tomatoes in my kitchen is “Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Toasts with Whipped Goat Cheese.”
These cherry tomato toasts are made with fresh ciabatta bread from my favorite bakery, whipped tangy goat cheese, savory and earthy thyme leaves, garlic, and shallots, and of course, a whole lot of cherry tomatoes.
The toasts can be an appetizer or maybe even a meal, but by all means, pour yourself a glass of Rosé de Loire (or Crémant de Loire, or Sancerre) to pair with this delightful summertime treat.

Loire Valley Wines to Try

Disclosure: The wines were provided to me as media samples. All opinions are my own.

Langlois Crémant de Loire Blanc Brut
12.5% abv | $20.00 wineaccess.com (sample) | 60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, and 20% Cabernet Franc
Fresh acidity with notes of baked pear, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, citrus, and almonds. A creamy texture with fine bubbles and a lingering complex finish. Ideal as an aperitif or with light appetizers. Highly recommended.

2020 Chateau de la Ragotiere Cuvée Amélie Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine sur lie
12% abv | $13.00 winesearcher.com (sample) | 100% Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne)
Tangy bright acidity with notes of lime, honey mango, and minerals. A round soft texture with a bitter almond finish. A classic with freshly shucked oysters.

2020 Croix des Loges Rosé de Loire, Anjou
12% abv | $15.00 winesearcher.com (sample) | 70% Cabernet Franc, 15% Gamay, and 15% Grolleau
A delightful rosé with overall freshness, red berry, citrus, and mineral notes. The wine strikes a perfect balance of acidity and a round smooth mouthfeel from two months of aging on the lees. A versatile wine to pair with appetizers like the Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Toasts with Whipped Goat Cheese to salads, pizza, and seafood tacos.

Don’t miss my article on “Tasting Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc Paired with Smoked Salmon Crostini.”

Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Toasts with Whipped Goat Cheese

Print Recipe

When your summer is overflowing with cherry tomatoes, a delicious quick savory cherry tomato sauté on top of a ciabatta toast with whipped goat cheese paired with a glass of refreshing Rosé de Loire.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Toasts with Whipped Goat Cheese

Author Jane

Ingredients

Ciabatta Bread Toasts

• 6 slices ciabatta bread, 1/2-inch thick
• extra virgin olive oil

Whipped Goat Cheese

• 8 oz. soft goat cheese I like Trader Joes fresh Chevre for its tangy flavor
• 4-6 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Sauté

• 3 cups cherry tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 medium shallot, chopped
• 2+ tablespoons fresh thyme leaves + more fresh leaves or sprigs for garnish
• salt & freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Ciabatta Bread Toasts

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the ciabatta bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Brush the slices with extra virgin olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes, edges should be crisp but the middle still soft. Set aside.

Whipped Goat Cheese

• In a mini food processor bowl, add the goat cheese, milk and olive oil. Process the mixture until smooth and spreadable. Add extra milk if needed. Season with salt. Chill while you sauté the cherry tomatoes.

Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Sauté

• In a 12-inch skillet heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and distribute them evenly in the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for about 3-5 minutes, depending on size, until they start to blister. Stir them and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• Add the garlic, shallots, and thyme leaves to the tomato sauté and stir the mixture until the tomatoes are nicely blistered and the garlic and shallots have lost their raw taste, about 2-3 minutes.
• To Serve: Spread a layer of the whipped goat cheese on each ciabatta toast and top with a spoonful of the blistery herb cherry tomato mixture. Optional -garnish with more fresh thyme leaves or sprigs.