Pinot Grigio And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing

Pinot Grigio is a light and crisp white wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses. It is made from a mutation of the Pinot Noir vine, a black grape, and is characterised by its minerality and fruity flavours of lime, pear and peach. When it comes to cheese, Pinot Grigio goes best with soft and creamy cheeses like Chèvre, Brie and Camembert. It also pairs well with salty cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, as well as delicate fresh and slightly salty cheeses such as Feta, Mozzarella and Ricotta.

Gruyere, a sweet, nutty Swiss cheese

When serving Gruyere with Pinot Grigio, consider making a fondue as it melts beautifully. The combination of the warm, comforting dish with the refreshing wine is a perfect pairing. Alternatively, a grilled cheese sandwich made with Gruyere provides a gourmet take on a classic, with the melted cheese creating a gooey, indulgent treat.

Gruyere's versatility extends beyond its use in fondues and sandwiches. It is also a delicious addition to quiches and tarts, adding a nutty and creamy flavour to the savoury dishes. Moreover, its distinctive but not overpowering taste makes it a good cheese for baking. Gruyere is often used in French onion soup and the classic French toasted ham and cheese sandwich, croque-monsieur. Its excellent melting properties make it a popular choice for these dishes.

When it comes to wine, Gruyere is known to pair well with a variety of options, including crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling cider. However, its sweet and nutty flavours especially complement the fruity notes of Pinot Grigio, making it the finest cheese to combine with this refreshing white wine.

Mozzarella, a mild, silky cheese

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many ways. When pairing it with Pinot Grigio, it's best to keep things simple. Slice some fresh mozzarella and enjoy it as an appetizer or starter. While tomatoes are a classic pairing with mozzarella, they don't go well with Pinot Grigio, so it's best to leave them out.

The key to a successful pairing is to let the delicate flavours of both the cheese and the wine shine. Pinot Grigio is a light, dry white wine with a fruity flavour, and it's best enjoyed when it's cold and consumed early, rather than matured. It's similar to its sister wine, Pinot Gris, but lighter in body, especially the Italian styles.

When creating a cheese plate to pair with Pinot Grigio, look for sweet, soft, and mild cheeses made from cow's or sheep's milk. These cheeses will bring out the sweet, mellow notes in the wine. Mozzarella, with its mild and silky texture, is an ideal choice.

So, if you're looking for a cheese to pair with Pinot Grigio, mozzarella is a great option. Enjoy the cheese's mild, silky taste and the wine's fruity, dry flavour—a perfect combination for a warm summer day.

Baby Swiss, a mellow, creamy cheese

Baby Swiss is a mellow, creamy cheese with a smooth texture and a mild flavour. It is similar to Swiss cheese but has fewer "eyes", or tiny holes. Its mellow flavour is an excellent complement to the freshness of a Pinot Grigio.

Baby Swiss is a great option for a simple starter—cut the cheese into small cubes and serve on toothpicks with glasses of Pinot Grigio. Alternatively, it pairs well with sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, White Zinfandel, and Riesling. It also goes well with nuts, dried fruit, peaches, and melon.

Baby Swiss is an award-winning cheese, having been awarded 1st place at the 2022 and 2023 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest and the 2022 American Cheese Society Competition. It was also named the #1 Cheese in America and U.S. Grand Champion.

Aged Manchego, a semi-hard, sweet Spanish cheese

Pinot Grigio is a light and crisp white wine with a refreshing, fruity flavour. It is made from a mutation of the Pinot Noir vine, a black grape, and has a golden and white hue. It is ideal when consumed early and served cold. The wine's crisp, light-bodied, fruity, and zesty qualities complement the texture and flavour of aged Manchego.

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to find a balance between the characteristics of the two. In the case of Pinot Grigio, a mild, light, and creamy-textured cheese is usually recommended. Aged Manchego, with its semi-hard texture and sweet flavour, provides a beautiful contrast to the wine's crispness and fruitiness.

The wine's minerality and aromas of pear and citrus, particularly from Old World regions like Italy, also pair well with the cheese's nutty and zesty notes. The high acidity of Pinot Grigio, especially those from warmer climates, can cut through the richness of the cheese, creating a harmonious combination.

Overall, aged Manchego's unique characteristics make it an exceptional choice to enjoy with a glass of Pinot Grigio, offering a delightful sensory experience for wine and cheese enthusiasts alike.

Soft, creamy cheeses like Chèvre, Brie and Camembert

Pinot Grigio is a light and crisp white wine with flavours of lime, pear and peach. It is characterised by its minerality and fruitiness. It is a refreshing wine, perfect for a hot summer's day. It is also considered a healthy wine option, with low alcohol and fewer calories than many other white wines.

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to find a balance between the two. In the case of Pinot Grigio, a mild, creamy-textured cheese is ideal. Soft, creamy cheeses like Chèvre, Brie and Camembert fit the bill perfectly. These cheeses have delicate flavours and aromas that allow the wine's flavours to shine through.

In addition to Chèvre, Brie and Camembert, other cheeses that pair well with Pinot Grigio include Feta, Mozzarella, Ricotta, mild Cheddar, mild goat cheese, and Gouda. Salty cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano can also complement the wine's fruitiness.

Frequently asked questions