Andy Montoya
Wine and cheese are among the most iconic food and drink pairings, but not all cheeses go with all wines. When it comes to wine and food pairings, the main goal is to enhance the flavour of both the food and the wine. While there are no strict rules, and personal preference is key, there are some general guidelines that can help you get the most out of your wine and cheese pairings. In this case, we will explore whether Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with cheese pizza.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine pairing for cheese pizza | Rosé of Monastrell from Spain |
| Wine pairing for cheese pizza with red sauce | GSM (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre), Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Cabernet Franc |
| Wine pairing for thin crust pizza | Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Grüner |
| Wine pairing for white pizza | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay |
| Wine pairing for barbecue pizza | Argentine Malbec, Touriga Nacional |
| Wine pairing for salad pizza | Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Grüner |
| Wine pairing for stuffed pizza | Chateauneuf du Pape |
| Wine pairing for roasted vegetable pizza | Soave, California Chardonnay |
| Wine pairing for red pizza with white wine | Spanish Tempranillo |
| Wine pairing for pepperoni pizza | Sangiovese |
| Wine pairing for cabernet sauvignon | Semi-hard cheese with some age, Cheddar, Gouda, Camembert, Washed-rind cheese, Sharp, aged white Cheddar |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cabernet sauvignon and cheese pizza: a good pairing?
When it comes to wine and food pairings, the main goal is to enhance the flavour of both the food and the wine. While wine and cheese may be one of the most iconic food and drink pairings, not all cheeses go with all types of wine. Similarly, when it comes to pizza, the type of wine you choose to pair it with depends on the toppings.
A classic cheese pizza with red sauce is best paired with GSM (a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre), or a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The red sauce becomes the focal point of the wine pairing because of its acidity and intense flavour. If you're a white wine lover, you can pair a crisp Soave or California Chardonnay with a roasted vegetable pizza. If you're into whites but looking to pair with red, try a Spanish Tempranillo. However, if you're a cheese pizza lover, a glass of Rosé of Monastrell from Spain is a perfect combination and a light, delicious treat.
On the other hand, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most popular red wine grapes, loved for its full body and high concentration. When pairing this wine with cheese or other foods, it does well with other strong flavours like rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and sharp aged cheeses. The stronger or more full-bodied the wine, the stronger the cheese you can pair with it. In general, you can't go wrong with a semi-hard cheese with some age to it. These cheeses can help enhance the flavour of the wine while balancing out the tannins that will make your mouth feel dry. The key is to start with a wine that is lower in alcohol and is not overly tannic. The high fat content in the cheese will cause the tannins in the wines to bond with it instead of with your mouth, thus reducing the dryness.
Therefore, while there are no fixed rules when it comes to personal preferences, a cheese pizza and Cabernet Sauvignon may not be the best pairing. This is because the wine's strong flavours and high tannin content require strong, pungent cheeses with a smooth finish to balance them out. A cheese pizza with red sauce is better complemented by wines such as GSM or Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, which enhance the flavour of the pizza without being too overpowering.
Donatos' Serious Cheese Pizza: A Cheesy, Delicious Adventure
You may want to see also
Cheddar cheese is a good match
While there are many opinions on which wine pairs best with a cheese pizza, a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon can be a good choice. When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, the main goal is to enhance the flavour of both the food and the wine. Cheddar cheese is a good match. It is simple, tasty, affordable, and not too crazy for those who are not adventurous with their cheese. A sharp, aged cheddar has just the right amount of flavour and fat content to help balance the tannins in the wine while tasting delicious at the same time. The high fat content in the cheese will cause the tannins in the wine to bond with it instead of with your mouth, thus cutting back on the dry feeling you get when drinking the wine.
Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese with some age to it. These types of cheese can help enhance the flavour of the wine while balancing out the tannins that will otherwise make your mouth feel dry. The aging process for this type of cheese does a great job of bringing out fruity notes in the wine while making bolder wines taste a bit lighter. The key is to start with a wine that is lower in alcohol and is not overly tannic.
While there are many types of cheese that will diminish the fruit, tannin, and acidity in red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, several types of hard and semi-hard cheeses can pair with, and even flatter, both old and young vintages of the wine. Aged cow's milk cheeses with extended age, for example, have a milder, nutty texture and smooth taste that highlights the berry notes in Cabernet Sauvignons.
In general, when it comes to wine and food pairings, you want to find a combination that will complement each other and work together to provide the best flavour. While everyone's tastes are unique and there is no "wrong" answer when it comes to personal preferences, a sharp, aged white cheddar is a safe bet to pair with your cheese pizza and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pizza Places Offering Lactose-Free Cheese: A Tasty Solution
You may want to see also
Gouda is another great option
While there are many wines that can be paired with a cheese pizza, a glass of Rosé of Monastrell from Spain is said to be a perfect combination and a light, delicious treat.
When it comes to Cabernet Sauvignon, it is one of the world's most popular red wine grapes, loved for its full body and high concentration of flavours. When pairing this wine with cheese or other foods, it goes well with other strong flavours like rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and sharp aged cheeses.
If you're looking for something more widely available, cheddar cheese is the perfect choice. Its simplicity, taste, affordability, and familiarity make it a great option for those who aren't as adventurous with their cheese. Sharp, aged cheddar has just the right amount of flavour and fat content to help balance the tannins while tasting delicious.
Extra Cheese, Please: Enhancing Your Plain Cheese Pizza
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Blue cheese can be a tricky pairing
When it comes to pairing blue cheese with a red wine, a hearty red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec is recommended. While medium-bodied reds can be tricky with more pungent blue cheeses like Roquefort or Cabrales, they can complement more mellow varieties such as Bleu d'Auvergne or Barkham Blue. A blue cheese-topped pizza, for example, would pair well with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you're serving a blue cheese-topped steak, it's time to bring out the biggest red wine you have. A meaty, hefty Rhône wine or a California Cabernet are also good options to pair with blue cheese.
Blue cheese is also a staple ingredient in many salads, and including blue cheese in a salad can make pairing it with wine—a task that is typically dreaded because of the acidic vinaigrette—a lot easier. A frisée salad topped with crumbled Roquefort, for example, can be paired with a crisp, medium-bodied white wine.
Cheese Pizza: More Cheese, Please!
You may want to see also
Camembert is a rich and creamy choice
When it comes to wine and food pairings, the main goal is to enhance the flavour of both the food and the wine. You want to find a combination that will complement each other and work together to provide the best flavour possible.
If you are looking to pair Camembert with Cabernet Sauvignon, it is suggested to choose a wine that is lower in alcohol and not overly tannic, such as a young, elegant Cabernet or Bordeaux with dried herbs or an herb crust. These characteristics can pair well with the herbaceous notes in the wine. In addition, when pairing Camembert with any wine, it is important to allow the cheese to come to room temperature first. Cold temperatures can mute flavours and aromas and keep textures firm and waxy.
While Cabernet Sauvignon may not be the ideal wine to pair with Camembert due to the potential for metallic or bitter notes, there are other wines that are better suited to enhance the flavours of this creamy cheese. Camembert pairs well with fresh, jammed, or pickled berries, such as raspberry, apricot, or strawberry preserves. Pickled blueberries can also add a touch of acidity to the pairing. Sauteed mushrooms, crusty baguette, and cured meats can also complement the milder profile of Camembert. For a sweet touch, try pairing it with dark chocolate, candied walnuts, or a drizzle of wildflower honey.
Feta on Pizza: To Bake or Not to Bake?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A glass of Rosé of Monastrell from Spain is a perfect combination with a cheese pizza. Other wines that go well with cheese pizza are GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre), Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and Chianti Classico. If you are looking for a wine to pair with a salad pizza, wines with more tartness and 'green' flavors such as Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, or Grüner are a good choice.
Sangiovese, the most popular red grape in Italy, and Cabernet Franc are good choices to pair with a pepperoni pizza.
A white pizza goes well with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Argentine Malbec and Touriga Nacional (a Portuguese wine) are good choices to pair with a barbecue pizza.
