REVIEW · ST MAARTEN
Cheese and Wine Tasting Platter in Saint Martin
Book on Viator →Operated by Le Comptoir des Fromages - Cheese and wine Tasting · Bookable on Viator
Six pairings. One sharp, tasty hour. At Le Comptoir des Fromages in Marigot, you’ll work through 6 raw-milk cheeses matched with 6 small-producer wines, with a digital guide to keep each bite-and-sip pairing clear and fun. I like that it’s not just tasting for tasting’s sake; the format helps you actually notice what changes when the wine hits the cheese.
I also like the built-in choice: you can pick from three different platter styles—the timeless, the audacious, or the goat’s escape—so you’re not stuck with a single predictable lineup. That matters on an island trip, where you may already have a plan for dinner and just want the tasting that fits your mood.
One possible drawback: since this is a short, guided experience with a small maximum group, it can feel a bit structured. If you’re hoping for super pushy upsells while you’re there, don’t count on it—one reviewer wished the shop staff had been more engaging about buying favorites as they left.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Marigot’s cheese shop start at 11:00
- The three platter styles: pick your mood
- Raw-milk farmhouse cheeses meet wine that’s meant to pair
- How the digital guide changes the experience (for the better)
- What your 1.5 hours likely feels like
- Small group size: easier conversation, friendlier vibe
- Price and value: does $56.40 make sense?
- The real win: learning what you like to buy
- Who should book this, and who might not love it
- Quick FAQ for planning
- FAQ
- Where does the tasting start?
- What time does the experience start?
- How long is the cheese and wine tasting?
- What is included in the price?
- Are there different tasting lineups to choose from?
- How many people are in the group?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
- Should you book the cheese and wine tasting in Saint Martin?
Key things to know before you go

- Choose your platter style: Timeless classics, Audacious surprises, or Goat’s escape for sheep-and-goat fans
- Raw-milk cheeses, six pairings: You’ll taste 6 farmhouse or artisanal raw milk cheeses matched with 6 wines
- Mostly organic, small producers: Wines are from small passionate producers, often organic
- A digital guide that keeps you on track: You’ll be guided through combinations so you know what you’re tasting
- Small group size: Max 8 travelers, so it’s easier to ask questions and chat
Marigot’s cheese shop start at 11:00

This tasting is based at Le Comptoir des Fromages, at Les Amandiers on the Front de Mer in Marigot. You start at 11:00 am, and the whole thing runs about 1 hour 30 minutes before you return to the meeting point.
I like meeting at a real shop rather than some random tasting room. You get the feeling you’re stepping into a place that knows cheese, not just performing a tour script.
The mobile ticket part is simple, but make sure you have it accessible on your phone when you arrive. This is one of those experiences where showing up on time helps you get the full flow.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in St Maarten.
The three platter styles: pick your mood
You’re choosing between three slates, each built around a different idea of what you want from the tasting.
The timeless is for classic lovers who want cheeses matured to perfection, then matched to wines designed to play nice. If you’re not sure what you like yet, this slate is the safest bet.
The audacious leans toward surprising little nuggets. In practice, that usually means you get more curveballs—maybe sharper flavors, more personality, or cheeses that feel less predictable than the usual standbys.
The goat’s escape is all about goat and sheep cheeses. If you like tang, funk (in a good way), or you’re curious how different animal milk changes texture and flavor, this is the one to choose.
Pick the slate that matches your dinner plan and your tolerance for stronger flavors. If you know goat can be too much for you, choose timeless first. If you’re already a goat fan, you’ll probably enjoy the audacious one even more.
Raw-milk farmhouse cheeses meet wine that’s meant to pair

The whole point here is the pairing—6 cheeses paired with 6 wines for “harmonious” matches. The cheeses are mainly farm and made with raw milk, and the wines come from small producers, mostly organic.
Why that matters to you: raw milk cheeses often bring deeper, more complex flavors than pasteurized versions, and the pairing becomes more interesting because the cheese has more going on. It’s one of those tastings where you’re not just sampling; you’re learning what works together.
Also, small-producer wine can mean less cookie-cutter flavor. You might find more individuality in the glass—bigger contrasts, subtler matches, and the kind of pairings you wouldn’t guess just by looking at a label.
The wines and cheeses are set up as a guided sequence. You’ll go from one pairing to the next, and the digital guide helps you notice how each wine changes the cheese’s taste and vice versa.
How the digital guide changes the experience (for the better)

This is described as a fun, gourmet digital experience, with guidance through the tasting. That’s a big deal because cheese-and-wine tastings can go two ways: either you get a quick pour and wing it, or you get stuck with overly technical lectures.
Here, the promise is more useful: you’ll be guided throughout so you can better understand and savor each combination. For you, that translates to less guesswork and more actual enjoyment.
And because the experience includes a guide, you’re not stuck staring at a screen the whole time. You can ask questions as you go, and if something doesn’t make sense on first taste, you can slow down and try again.
This format is especially good if you’re the type who likes to learn but doesn’t want homework. You get the “why” without needing a sommelier degree.
What your 1.5 hours likely feels like

Even with a guided format, the experience stays relaxed. You’re tasting six cheeses and six wines, so you’ll need pacing. Expect small portions meant for comparison, not a meal-sized buffet.
Here’s the rhythm you should picture: you’ll move through the set of pairings step by step, with the digital guide cueing you to focus on a specific cheese and its matching wine. Between pairings, you’ll get time to reset your palate—because the next cheese will be easier to understand if your taste buds aren’t still stuck on the previous one.
Because the group cap is up to 8 travelers, the pace doesn’t feel rushed like it can in bigger tours. You’ll likely have room to ask questions and talk about what you notice.
One practical tip: if you’re not a steady wine drinker, pace yourself. Alcoholic beverages are included, so you can still enjoy the full experience without needing to race through everything.
Also, no coffee or tea is included, so if you want something non-alcoholic afterward, plan to get it outside the tasting.
Small group size: easier conversation, friendlier vibe

The experience is capped at 8 travelers, which is the sweet spot for me. Big groups turn tastings into a conveyor belt. Small groups let you hear other people’s reactions, compare notes, and get unstuck if your palate isn’t reading a pairing the way you expected.
One review highlighted that a couple from Toronto joined the tasting and they had a chance to visit with each other. You don’t need that exact scenario for it to matter—just know this kind of size tends to create quick, natural conversation.
If you’re traveling as a couple, this is especially comfortable. You still get company, but it doesn’t become a crowd.
If you’re traveling solo, it can feel less awkward than a large tasting because people are less likely to disappear into separate corners.
If you’re with a large group or party, keep expectations in check: this isn’t designed as a big-friends-night-out. It’s a focused tasting.
Price and value: does $56.40 make sense?

At $56.40 per person, this isn’t the cheapest activity in St Martin. But it also isn’t a generic snack-and-sip deal.
You’re paying for:
- 12 total tastings (6 cheeses + 6 wines)
- a guide
- a digital guided format
- and alcoholic beverages included
That combination is where the value comes from. If you were to buy six specialty cheeses and pair them with similar wines on your own, you’d likely spend more than the per-person rate quickly—especially with small-producer wine.
Where the price can feel less like a bargain: if you don’t care much about pairings and just want cheese, you might wonder why it’s structured around wine. But if you enjoy taste matching, learning, and comparing how flavors interact, the price feels fair.
Duration also matters. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes, which is a practical slot when you’re trying to see the island without losing your whole afternoon or evening.
The real win: learning what you like to buy

Here’s what I think makes this tasting more than a one-off activity: it helps you find your personal favorites.
All the cheeses are mainly farm-made and raw milk, and the selection style changes depending on which slate you choose. That means your takeaway isn’t just that everything is good—it’s which combinations clicked for your taste.
If you plan to buy cheese afterward, a tasting like this can guide your choices. You’ll know which cheese you preferred with which wine, and that makes shopping easier when the options start piling up.
One reviewer wished the vendor might have been more engaging about encouraging purchases when leaving. That’s a fair consideration. If you’re the type who wants help picking something to take home, don’t be shy about asking direct questions before you wrap up.
Who should book this, and who might not love it
I think you should book this if you:
- enjoy pairing wine with food and want a guided reason for each match
- like farmhouse or artisanal cheeses, especially raw milk styles
- want a short, quality activity that doesn’t swallow half a day
- prefer small groups (up to 8) and a conversational vibe
You might skip it if you:
- don’t drink wine and hate alcohol-based tastings (though you can still enjoy the structure, your experience may feel limited without non-alcohol add-ons)
- want a long, wandering food tour with lots of stops (this is a focused tasting session)
- expect a big sales push during the experience (one review didn’t love the leaving-your-favorites moment)
Quick FAQ for planning
FAQ
Where does the tasting start?
The meeting point is Le Comptoir des Fromages, Les Amandiers – Front de Mer Marigot Saint Martin, Marigot 97150, St Martin.
What time does the experience start?
It starts at 11:00 am.
How long is the cheese and wine tasting?
The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.
What is included in the price?
The price includes alcoholic beverages and a guide.
Are there different tasting lineups to choose from?
Yes. You can choose among three slates: the timeless, the audacious, and the goat’s escape (goat and sheep cheeses).
How many people are in the group?
The experience has a maximum of 8 travelers.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Should you book the cheese and wine tasting in Saint Martin?
If you want a short, high-flavor activity that mixes raw-milk cheeses with small-producer wines and actually explains the pairing, I’d book it. The slate choices are a smart touch, because they let you match the tasting to your tastes instead of forcing one set menu.
One thing to keep in mind: it’s guided and structured, not a free-form wandering food crawl. If you’re excited by learning how cheeses and wines interact, that structure is a plus. If you’re only after the simplest cheese fix, you may prefer a regular shop visit.
Overall, for the price and the number of tastings, this is a practical way to taste thoughtfully in Marigot without turning your day into a marathon.







