The Perfect Cheese And Rosé Wine Pairing

Rosé wine is a refreshing choice for any warm, sunny day, and it pairs well with several types of cheese. When serving rosé with cheese, it's important to consider the wine's bracing acidity and subtle berry flavours. Generally, semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère, Havarti, and Monterey Jack pair well with rosé. The wine's crisp, light flavour complements these cheeses without being overpowered. Harder cheeses like cheddar and gouda can also be a good match for rosé, but it's best to avoid strongly flavoured varieties like sharp cheddar. Fresh cheeses, such as farmer's cheese, pair beautifully with sparkling rosés, adding a festive touch to your drink. When it comes to specific combinations, consider a creamy, rich Italian cheese like Rocchetta, or opt for Swiss cheeses like Appenzeller and Gruyere, which have a dense and creamy texture with a slightly spicy, herbal character. For those who enjoy salty cheeses, feta is an excellent match for rosé's zippy acidity.

Soft goat's cheese

Soft goats cheese is a wonderful companion to a glass of rosé wine. The acidity and tangy flavour of the cheese is a great match for the bright, bracing acidity and subtle berry notes of a dry rosé. Soft goats cheese is versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways, from simply spreading it on crackers or bread to creating delicious toasts topped with berries, avocado, or herbs.

When thinking of soft goats cheese, Provence comes to mind. The sunny climate and garrigue (scrub land) of the rocky hillsides provide the perfect environment for goats to thrive, resulting in an abundance of delicious goats cheese. A young, fresh goats cheese pairs beautifully with a young Provence rosé, as the crisp acidity and hints of red fruit in the wine complement the tangy cheese. For a summer picnic, imagine enjoying a glass of Provence rosé with a soft goats cheese salad, perhaps accompanied by fresh bread, tomatoes, olive oil, and olives.

As the goats cheese ages, its flavour intensifies, becoming drier, saltier, and more tangy. These older cheeses are a delightful match for rosé wines with more ripe fruit character. The fruitiness of the wine balances the stronger flavours of the aged cheese, creating a harmonious pairing. Look for darker, fruitier rosés that avoid the stronger oak flavour, and consider serving them with olive fougasse, a Provencal type of focaccia.

For a truly indulgent experience, seek out a creamy, ripened goat's milk cheese with a bloomy rind, such as the Fromager d'Affinois Florette. Pair it with an off-dry rosé like the Teutonic Wine Company's 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, which offers lush, fruity notes and a crisp finish. This combination showcases how a soft goats cheese can elevate a glass of rosé, creating a sophisticated and elegant pairing.

Salty feta

When pairing feta with rosé, look for a wine that can match its strong personality and high acidity. A sparkling rosé, such as an off-dry Xinomavro from Amynteo, a dry rosato from Veneto, or a French Bugey-Cerdon, will complement the saltiness of the cheese. The crisp and light characteristics of a rosé will also help to refresh the palate, allowing you to fully appreciate the salty, tangy notes of the feta.

Feta is quite versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. For a simple dish, top the feta with extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs, and serve it with good bread. You can also create a delicious meal by baking feta and pairing it with pasta. Baked feta pasta goes well with rosé from Provence, which has a delicate fruitiness and freshness that balances the creaminess of the feta.

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, feta also pairs well with roasted vegetables, olives, hummus, and cured meats. For a true Greek experience, try a watermelon salad with feta, and pair it with a glass of rosé.

Creamy Havarti

Havarti is a good choice for a rosé pairing because it can hold its own without taking away from the mild wine. Rosé is light and crisp, so a semi-soft cheese is a good option. Harder cheeses, such as mild or medium-firm cheddar, gouda, or provolone, can also work with rosé, but it is best to avoid strongly flavoured cheeses like sharp cheddar or aged provolone. Fresh cheeses, like farmer's cheese, are a better match for sparkling rosés.

When it comes to specific rosé varieties, Havarti is a good match for a Spanish rosé from Rioja or Navarra, or a Southern French rosé. These wines tend to be rustic, so a semi-soft cheese like Havarti is a good choice. A creamy, rich cheese like Havarti will also complement the bubbles in a sparkling rosé, so it is a versatile choice for a summer party.

To get the most out of your Havarti and rosé pairing, remember to serve the cheese at room temperature, just below 70°F, and the rosé chilled, between 50°F and 60°F. This will ensure the flavours and textures of the cheese are at their best, and the floral, fruity notes of the wine will be more prominent.

Truffle Brie

When it comes to wine and cheese, few things in life beat this iconic combination. And when it comes to rosé, a semi-soft cheese is the way to go. Enter Truffle Brie—a decadent, gooey cheese with a strong flavour that pairs beautifully with a full-bodied, dry rosé.

For a truly indulgent experience, opt for a voluptuous, full-bodied rosé like Long Meadow Ranch's 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir from California's Anderson Valley or Warwick Estate's 2016 The First Lady rosé, a South African Pinotage. These wines offer a fuller flavour that can stand up to the intensity of Truffle Brie.

When serving Truffle Brie with rosé, consider adding some accoutrements to enhance the experience. Fresh crackers or bread can provide a crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese. Berries, avocado, or herbs can also be paired with the cheese to add a touch of freshness.

Additionally, Truffle Brie has a unique flavour that can be further enhanced by the wine it is paired with. The earthy, creamy notes of the cheese are beautifully complemented by the toasty, brioche flavours often found in dry rosés. This creates a harmonious flavour profile that delights the palate.

Swiss cheese

When choosing a Swiss cheese to pair with rosé, look for those with a dense and creamy texture, as well as a slightly spicy and herbal character. This combination will provide a delightful contrast to the bright and fruity notes commonly found in rosé wines. The intensity of flavour in Swiss cheeses like Appenzeller and Gruyere can also stand up to the bracing acidity of rosé, creating a well-balanced pairing.

Additionally, consider the ageing process of the Swiss cheese. The blend of herbs, spices, and alcohol rubbed on the rinds during ageing contributes to the unique flavour profile of these cheeses. The longer the ageing process, the more pronounced these flavours will be, adding a layer of complexity to your pairing.

When serving Swiss cheese with rosé wine, you can simply enjoy the cheese on its own or with crackers or bread. For a more elaborate presentation, consider creating a Swiss cheese fondue, which can be dipped with bread cubes, vegetables, or cured meats. This can be a delightful and interactive way to enjoy the combination of Swiss cheese and rosé.

Remember, the key to successful pairings is to find a balance between the characteristics of the cheese and the wine. The dense and creamy texture of Swiss cheese, along with its intense and slightly spicy flavour, creates a delightful contrast to the lightness and fruitiness of rosé wine. By following these suggestions, you can elevate your tasting experience and discover new dimensions of flavour.

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