Kamil Perry
Chardonnay and cheese are a classic combination, with the wine's acidity cutting through the fat in the cheese to create a harmonious interplay of textures and flavours. The wide range of Chardonnay styles, from full-bodied and creamy to lighter and saltier, means there is sure to be a pairing to suit your palate. The key to a successful pairing is to match the intensity and texture of the cheese and wine, as well as looking for complementary flavours. For example, a crisp Chardonnay can cut through the creaminess of a triple crème cheese, while an oaked Chardonnay will balance out the saltiness of blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Soft cheddar, Brie, Gouda, Comté, Havarti, Blue Cheese, Manchego, Triple Cream, Wensleydale, Humboldt Fog, Pennyroyal Laychee, Bellwether Farms’s “San Andreas”, La Tur, Mt. Tam, Cypress Grove “Lamb Chopper”, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company’s Original Blue |
| Chardonnay type | Light and crisp, unoaked, oaked, fruit-forward, California style, Sonoma Chardonnay, Rombauer Chardonnay |
| Flavour notes | Sweetness, fruitiness, crispness, acidity, saltiness, creaminess, tanginess, sharpness, nuttiness, tropical fruit, citrus, butteriness, oakiness, vanilla, coconut, dried apricot, caramel, butterscotch |
| Texture | Smooth, rich, creamy, soft, tender, velvety, round, mouth-filling, full-bodied |
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What You'll Learn
Chardonnay and cheese: a classic combination
Chardonnay and cheese are a classic combination that has pleased many taste buds. The versatility of both Chardonnay and cheese means that there are numerous pairing options to explore. Chardonnay's flavour profiles range from full-bodied, creamy wines with tropical fruit tones to lighter wines with salty, herbal notes. The most common type of Chardonnay is the "California style", known for its distinct citrus notes and full body.
When it comes to cheese, a classic pairing is a light and crisp Chardonnay with soft cheddar cheese. The sweetness of the Chardonnay balances out the sharpness of the cheddar, allowing the subtle flavours to shine through. For a more complex pairing, try an unoaked Chardonnay with sharp cheddar. The wine will soften the sharpness of the cheese while retaining its fruity notes. This pairing is perfect as an appetizer or on a meat and cheese board.
For those who enjoy rich and oaky Chardonnays, a balanced, semi-hard cheese is a good choice. Options include Bellwether Farms "San Andreas" and Cypress Grove "Lamb Chopper", both of which are sheep's milk cheeses with a richer flavour profile. A tangy and creamy blue cheese can also complement the richness of these wines, but caution is advised as a strong or salty blue cheese can overpower the wine.
Another option is to pair Chardonnay with Brie, creating an indulgent tasting experience. The butteriness of the Chardonnay complements the velvety texture of Brie, while its bright acidity provides a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese. Moving to the Netherlands, Gouda, a semi-hard cheese with sweet notes of caramel and butterscotch, also pairs well with Chardonnay. The honeyed taste of Gouda echoes the wine's fruity notes, and the mellow mouthfeel of the cheese aligns with the roundness of the Chardonnay.
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The versatility of Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most versatile wines when it comes to cheese pairings. The wine's flavour profile ranges from full-bodied, creamy wines with tropical fruit tones to lighter wines with salty, herbal notes. Chardonnay's inherent cheese-friendly characteristics include a fuller body compared to other white wines, good acidity, discernible fruit, and, depending on how it's made, creaminess.
A classic combination is a light and crisp Chardonnay with soft cheddar cheese. The sweetness of the Chardonnay balances out the sharpness of the cheddar, allowing all the subtleties of flavour to come through. This pairing is delicious on its own or with fresh fruit. For a more complex pairing, try an unoaked Chardonnay with sharp cheddar. The wine will soften the sharpness of the cheese while retaining its fruity notes.
Chardonnay also pairs well with blue cheese. A fruit-forward profile of oaked Chardonnay will balance out the saltiness in blue cheese. A not-too-strong tangy and creamy blue cheese can also act as an interesting counterpoint to the richness of oaky Chardonnays.
For semi-hard cheeses, oaked wines make good pairings. The oak flavours complement the nutty notes in cheeses like cheddar or Gruyere. A medium-bodied, high-acid, balanced fruit, mineral, and balanced or no-oak Chardonnay pairs well with a creamy, semi-hard cheese that is well-balanced—not too salty or tangy. A good example is Bellwether Farms' "San Andreas."
When it comes to hard cheeses, Chardonnay can still shine. Comte, a hard cheese from the Jura region of France, pairs beautifully with lighter Chardonnays. The aged cheese has a deep and complex flavour profile, offering notes of dried fruit and nuts with an underlying sweetness that synergizes with the wine's fruity notes.
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Cheese and Chardonnay: a historical pairing
Wine and cheese have been enjoyed together for centuries, with some sources tracing this tradition back to ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Chardonnay, in particular, is a versatile wine that pairs well with many types of cheese.
Chardonnay is made from the "queen of white wine grapes", producing a range of wine styles. Its flavour profiles can include full-bodied, creamy wines with tropical fruit tones, lighter wines with salty, herbal notes, or the well-known "California style", with its distinct citrus notes and full body. Chardonnay's inherent characteristics, such as its fuller body compared to most white wines, good acidity, discernible fruit, and potential creaminess, make it a great pairing option for cheese.
When it comes to specific pairings, a classic combination is a light and crisp Chardonnay with soft cheddar cheese. The sweetness of the Chardonnay balances out the sharpness of the cheddar, allowing the subtleties of flavour to shine through. For a more complex pairing, an unoaked Chardonnay can be paired with sharp cheddar, softening the sharpness of the cheese while retaining its fruity notes. Chardonnay also pairs well with blue cheese. The acidity in the wine tempers the potent tanginess of the cheese, creating an intriguing and palatable balance. A fruit-forward profile of oaked Chardonnay can also balance out the saltiness of blue cheese.
For those who prefer harder cheeses, Comté, a French cheese aged for 12 months or more, offers a deep and complex flavour profile with notes of dried fruit, nuts, and an underlying sweetness. This pairs beautifully with the fruit-forward characteristics of lighter Chardonnays, creating a harmonious interplay of textures and flavours. Another hard cheese option is Manchego, which can be a fun, Chardonnay-friendly alternative. Semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda, known for its sweet notes, also pair well with Chardonnay. The honeyed taste of Gouda echoes the wine's fruity notes, and its mellow mouthfeel aligns with the roundness of the wine.
In conclusion, Chardonnay and cheese is a classic pairing that offers a delightful sensory experience, highlighting the best features of both the wine and the cheese. With Chardonnay's versatility and the wide range of cheeses available, there are endless combinations to explore and enjoy.
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The art of pairing: texture, flavour, intensity and age
Chardonnay and cheese are a classic pairing that can please many palates. Chardonnay's flavour profiles range from full-bodied, creamy wines with tropical fruit tones to lighter wines with salty, herbal notes. Similarly, cheese comes in various textures, flavours, and intensities, making the pairing an art.
When it comes to texture, a creamy cheese like Brie or blue cheese can be paired with a full-bodied Chardonnay to create a rich and indulgent experience. The creaminess of the cheese is cut through by the wine's bright acidity, resulting in a nuanced tasting journey. On the other hand, a semi-soft cheese like Havarti, with its mild and slightly sharp flavour, pairs well with the smooth texture of Chardonnay, highlighting the wine's crisp acidity and fruit flavours.
Flavour is another important consideration in the art of pairing. A sweet and fruity Chardonnay can be balanced by the sharpness of a cheddar cheese, allowing the subtleties of both the wine and cheese to shine through. The fruit-forward profile of oaked Chardonnay, with its tropical and vanilla notes, pairs beautifully with the sweetness of aged Comté cheese, creating a harmonious interplay of flavours.
Intensity is a key factor in successful pairings. A strong, tangy, and sharp blue cheese presents a robust counterpart to the full-bodied and fruit-forward nature of Chardonnay. The wine's acidity tempers the potent tanginess of the cheese, resulting in a dynamic tasting experience. For a softer pairing, a light and crisp Chardonnay can be matched with mild cheddar cheese, enhancing the wine's sweetness and the fruit's tang when served with apples or pears.
Finally, the age of the cheese can also play a role in the pairing. Aged cheeses, such as Comté, aged for 12 months or more, develop deep and complex flavour profiles with notes of dried fruit and nuts. These flavours are beautifully complemented by the fruit-forward characteristics of lighter Chardonnays. Similarly, the saltiness of aged blue cheese can be balanced by the fruitiness of oaked Chardonnay, creating a complex taste experience.
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Chardonnay and blue cheese: a bold and striking duo
Chardonnay and blue cheese is a classic combination that offers a bold and striking duo for the palate. The versatility of Chardonnay, with its range of styles, makes it a popular choice for cheese pairings, and blue cheese is no exception. The key to a successful pairing is matching the intensity and texture of both components, creating a harmonious balance of flavours.
When it comes to Chardonnay and blue cheese, the wine's characteristics play a crucial role in enhancing the cheese's flavour profile. A fruit-forward, oaked Chardonnay is an ideal match for blue cheese. The oak flavours in the wine complement the saltiness of the blue cheese, creating a complex and intriguing taste experience. The acidity in the Chardonnay also helps to cut through the creaminess of the blue cheese, making it more palatable and enjoyable.
However, it is important to note that not all blue cheeses are created equal when it comes to pairing. A strong and salty blue cheese can sometimes overpower a Chardonnay, regardless of its richness and fullness. Hence, opting for a milder blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola, or a blue cheese that is not too salty, is recommended. Additionally, consider adding fresh basil and pine nuts to your blue cheese to further elevate the pairing experience.
For a truly exceptional pairing, a full-bodied Chardonnay with tropical fruit notes can be paired with a mild blue cheese like Gorgonzola. The wine's fruity flavours will enhance the cheese's mildness, creating a delightful contrast. Alternatively, a bold blue cheese like Roquefort, known for its savoury and salty characteristics, can be paired with a moderately oaked Chardonnay to bring out its nutty flavours. This combination showcases how the right Chardonnay can amplify the intensity of blue cheese while providing a well-rounded tasting experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Brie, Gouda, Comté, blue cheese, and Havarti are all popular choices to pair with Chardonnay.
A rich and oaky Chardonnay with a balanced, not-too-salty flavour is a good match for blue cheese. A fruit-forward Chardonnay can also balance out the saltiness in blue cheese.
Cheese should be served at room temperature, while Chardonnay should be served between 50˚F – 55˚F.
