MARCHÉ FAQs

How do you select products for the store?

First – it’s all about taste.  Our products must have great flavor indicative of their style.  A well balanced cheese or wine should sing to your palate, reflect the tradition behind it and leave you wanting more. And then origin – all things being equal we try and support our local producers and small artisans. We also consider value, trying to keep a range of products for different applications from everyday cooking to special occasion.  

Why can’t I find the cheese or wine I tasted last month?

Like all natural agricultural produce, ours have seasons as well – particularly cheese.  Quality and availability can change throughout the year.  Some of our farmstead producers either don’t or won’t supply product out of season – kudos to them.  While we do maintain a core of reliable favorites much of our inventory shifts with the time of year.

I had this great cheese/wine while traveling…can you get it?

That pecorino you bought from the famers market in Tuscany won’t ever taste better than it did right then and there.  Imported cheeses and wines are subject to strict regulation and if it’s from a small producer it’s even more limited.  But ask and we’ll see what we can do.  Our happiest moments are discovering a great new food or wine to share.

I’m lactose intolerant – do you have anything I can eat?

Actually, naturally produced, well-aged cheeses contain little or no lactose. In the cheese making process lactose is converted to lactic acid through fermentation and subsequent aging.  So avoid the fresh mozzarella but enjoy some of our firmer, mature cheeses like aged cheddars, pecorinos and aged goudas with charcuterie, olives, fruits and nuts.

Your case is overwhelming…how do I decide what to get?

Just ask us – we’re eager to help.  Tell us what you’ve liked in the past and we’ll make suggestions and offer tastes to find you something new to love.  It’s what we do.

What wine do I get with my cheese?

There are no scientific formulas – just ask ten cheese or wine geeks and you’re likely to get ten different answers. Good pairings either compliment or contrast each other and we believe if you try to balance the weight (body) and character (flavor) of each you’re well on your way.  We’re always happy to point out our favorite cheese-friendly wines or wine-friendly cheeses.  Check our event schedule for upcoming pairing classes.

How do you say “charcuterie”?

shar-KOOT- er-ee.  Traditionally a French butcher of pork and his preserved products like ham, sausages, bacon and pates.  Modern culinary trends have revived the ancient art and include a myriad of salamis, hams, confits and all kinds of cured forced meat deliciousness.

Why do you charge a corkage fee when I buy a bottle of wine to consume on the premises? Restaurants in the area don’t do that.

Unlike a restaurant, Marché offers wine at retail pricing. Restaurant pricing, on the other hand, is typically 2 to 3 times more, built in to cover the costs of operation and the value-added experience of dining out. When we add the $10 corkage fee for bottle service at our tables, it balances those costs while affording the customer more options with a greater savings than purchasing wine by the glass or paying conventional restaurant prices.

.