Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches, or June and moon, or good people and noble ventures.

M. F. K. Fisher’s quote, “Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches, or June and moon, or good people and noble ventures,” is a poetic celebration of pairings that are timeless, natural, and enduring. By linking wine and cheese—a classic culinary duo—with universally recognized combinations like aspirin and aches or June and moon, Fisher underscores the idea that some things simply belong together. These partnerships evoke a sense of harmony, tradition, and even a touch of romance.

Her comparison is both witty and layered. Wine and cheese are not just gastronomic complements; they represent comfort, ritual, and the richness of shared experience. Placing them alongside more whimsical or emotionally resonant pairings, such as good people and noble ventures, Fisher expands the meaning beyond food—she speaks to the enduring nature of meaningful connections, whether in the kitchen or in life.

The quote also captures Fisher’s deep appreciation for the art of living well. As one of America’s most influential food writers, M. F. K. Fisher was known for weaving together culinary insight with philosophical reflection, making food a lens through which to view human relationships, culture, and time. Her writings often elevated the sensory pleasures of eating into something spiritual and profound.

The origin of this quote lies in Fisher’s literary mission to explore not just what we eat, but why and how it matters. Her work celebrated the sensual and social joys of food, and this quote reflects her belief that some things—like a glass of wine paired with cheese—offer a kind of timeless comfort and elegance that nourishes more than just the body.