Merlot And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing For Cheese Lovers

Merlot is a popular grape variety that is planted in almost every wine-producing country. It is the second most planted grape variety globally, after Cabernet Sauvignon. It is also the most planted wine grape in Bordeaux, France. Merlot is softer and less robust than Cabernet Sauvignon, but both have fruity flavours and a dry profile. When it comes to food, Merlot is very friendly and pairs well with most dishes. This includes cheese, and the best pairings include gouda, gorgonzola, brie, and cheddar. These creamy cheeses interact fabulously with Merlot's mellow and deep flavour.

Merlot and cheddar

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to consider the tannins, fat, acidity, and texture of both. Harder cheeses tend to go better with more tannic wines, and salty cheeses pair well with sweet wines. Merlot is generally softer and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it more food-friendly. It is also famous for being one of the main components in Bordeaux wine blends.

Aged cheddars are best served with medium to full-bodied wines, such as Merlot, as the wine will complement the bold flavours of the cheese. A good rule of thumb is to pair wines and cheeses from the same region, so if you are enjoying an English cheddar, you could try pairing it with a wine from the same area.

If you are looking for a cheese to pair with Merlot, a sharp, aged cheddar is a great option. The full-bodied nature of the wine will stand up to the bold flavours of the cheese, creating a delicious combination.

For a unique twist on a classic, try pairing a Merlot with a cheddar-inspired cheese. The Sartori family, for example, produces a Bellavitano cheese inspired by traditional Italian farmstead cheese. This Wisconsin cheese features the rich and creamy texture of a premium Wisconsin cheddar, balanced by the full flavour of Parmesan. The cheese is then soaked in Merlot wine, adding notes of berry and plum to the nutty, fruity flavours. This combination creates a rich union of flavours that is perfect for enjoying with a glass of Merlot.

Merlot and gouda

Merlot is a very food-friendly wine, and one of the main components in Bordeaux wine blends. While some mass-produced Merlot wines can be dull, a fine handcrafted Merlot can rival any other top red wine. Generally, Merlot is softer and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it more food-friendly.

Gouda is a mild-flavoured, yellow cow's milk cheese that originated in the Netherlands. It is one of the world's most popular cheeses. It is classified as a hard cheese, which usually pairs well with medium to full-bodied wines like Merlot.

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to take into account factors such as tannins, fat, acidity and texture. Harder cheeses tend to go better with wines that are more tannic, and salty cheeses pair well with sweet wines. Gouda is a hard cheese, so it will pair well with the more tannic Merlot.

When in doubt, it is usually safe to pair wines and cheeses from the same region. Gouda is produced in the Netherlands, so you could try pairing it with a Dutch wine. However, Merlot is famous for its strong ties to France, so a French Merlot and Dutch Gouda pairing may be an interesting combination to try.

If you are hosting a wine and cheese party, it is recommended to remove the cheese from the refrigerator about an hour before serving it, and to serve Merlot at 60° Fahrenheit.

Merlot and gorgonzola

Merlot is a versatile wine, pairing well with a variety of cheeses. One such cheese is the Italian blue cheese, gorgonzola. Gorgonzola is a veined, blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, with a salty, sharp flavour and subtle sweetness. It can be firm or crumbly, with a bold, crumbly texture known as mountain variety gorgonzola, or a creamier, sweeter variety known as gorgonzola dolce.

When pairing gorgonzola with merlot, it is important to consider the different types of gorgonzola and their flavour profiles. Spicy gorgonzola, for example, pairs well with well-structured, aged red wines, whereas softer, creamier gorgonzolas are better matched with softer, savoury reds or whites.

For a complementary pairing, opt for a medium to full-bodied red like a Malbec or a Cabernet Sauvignon. The intensity of these wines will elevate the flavours of the gorgonzola. For a contrasting pairing, a sweet, white dessert wine like Sauternes will balance out the boldness of the cheese. A dry, sparkling wine like Prosecco will also coax out the subtle flavours of the gorgonzola.

When in doubt, it is usually safe to pair wines and cheeses from the same region. So, for a merlot and gorgonzola pairing, an Italian merlot would be a good choice.

Merlot and brie

Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including brie. When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to consider factors such as tannins, fat, acidity, and texture to find the perfect combination.

Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese with a pale colour and a slight greyish tinge. It has a soft rind and a creamy texture, and can range from mild and slightly chalky to strong in flavour. When pairing brie with Merlot, it is best to choose a fruity Merlot that is not too tannic. The wine's chocolate, black cherry, and plum notes complement the creamy, slightly chalky, or gooey texture of the brie.

For a simple pairing, brie and Merlot can be enjoyed on their own or with some nuts, olives, and pears on the side. To elevate this combination, consider creating a wine and cheese dessert tray with bittersweet pieces of chocolate or berries dipped in dark chocolate. This unexpected pairing of sweets and cheese is sure to impress and delight your taste buds.

If you are feeling creative, you can try making Brie and Merlot Mushrooms Bites. This appetiser combines the flavours of brie and Merlot in a unique and tasty way. The recipe includes ingredients such as mini phyllo shells, butter, shallots, garlic, a variety of mushrooms, thyme, and chives. The combination of flavours and textures makes for a delicious treat that is perfect for entertaining or indulging at home.

Merlot and parmesan

Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including Parmesan. Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard, granular cheese produced from cow's milk and aged between 12 and 36 months. It has a distinct sharp and salty flavour that complements the softer, less tannic profile of Merlot.

When pairing Merlot and Parmesan, it is important to consider the characteristics of both the wine and the cheese. Merlot is a red wine known for its softer, smoother, and less tannic qualities compared to other red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a fruity flavour profile, with notes of berries and plum. Parmesan, on the other hand, is a hard, sharp, and salty cheese. It is aged for a significant amount of time, contributing to its complex flavour and granular texture.

The key to successful pairing is to create a balance between the wine and the cheese. The softer, fruitier notes of Merlot complement the sharpness of Parmesan. The wine's lack of strong tannins makes it more food-friendly and easier to pair with a variety of cheeses. Harder cheeses like Parmesan are generally recommended to be paired with medium to full-bodied wines, such as Merlot, as the wine's body and structure can stand up to the bold flavours of the cheese.

When creating a Merlot and Parmesan pairing, consider the following suggestions:

• Remove the cheese from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature.
• Serve the Merlot at a temperature of 60° Fahrenheit (15.5° Celsius) to ensure optimal flavour expression.
• Take a bite of the Parmesan by itself to appreciate its sharp, salty flavour.
• Sip the Merlot and take another bite of the cheese, holding it in your mouth together with the wine to experience how the flavours interact.
• Enjoy the interplay of the fruity notes of Merlot with the sharp, salty characteristics of Parmesan.

Additionally, you can enhance your Merlot and Parmesan pairing by incorporating complementary foods. Consider serving the cheese with dried fruits and nuts, as suggested by Fromagination for their Merlot BellaVitano cheese. Artisan bread is another recommended pairing, providing a crusty texture to contrast with the creamy richness of the cheese.

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