Cheese And Roscato: A Perfect Pairing Guide

Wine and cheese are a classic combination, but finding the right match can be challenging. The perfect pairing will create a synergy of flavour, where the wine and cheese enhance each other, resulting in a taste that is greater than the sum of its parts. When it comes to Roscato white wine, a sweet and slightly sparkling variety, there are several types of cheese that can complement its unique characteristics.

Sweet wines and blue cheese

When it comes to wine and cheese, few foods are considered to be a better match. The properties of wine, such as acidity, astringency, and sweetness, complement the creamy, nutty, and pungent flavours of cheese.

Blue cheese is a pungent cheese with a touch of bitterness that can be deliciously offset by a dessert or fortified wine. The saltiness of blue cheese is also a good match for sweet wines, such as Oliver Blackberry Wine, which has a fresh fruit quality and bright blackberry tartness that balances its rich sweetness.

If you're looking for a classic pairing, port and stilton are a famous combination. Another classic is Sauternes with Roquefort, a French sheep milk blue cheese.

For a more unusual pairing, try a sweet wine with a similarly sweet and fruity cheese. For example, a wine with subtle hints of a certain fruit essence could be amplified by a cheese with a similarly flavoured profile. A good example is a blueberry moscato with blueberry stilton. The wine has a subtle burst of blueberries, while the stilton is a sweet and fruity cheese with a light texture.

When pairing a soft wine, choose a mild, soft cheese. A bold or salty cheese may overpower the wine. A good example is a sweet red wine with double-cream gouda. The rich, soft sweetness of the wine is a perfect match for the creamy, slightly sweet and nutty flavour of the cheese.

White wine and goat's cheese

White wine and goats cheese is a match made in heaven. The freshness, perfumed notes, and combination of sweetness and acidity in white wine suit many cheeses. Goats cheese is a soft, pleasant cheese that adds just the right subtle amount of flavour.

Goats cheese is often accompanied by herbs, some of which may blend well with the wine. If rosemary is one of those herbs, for example, it will pair well with a Moscato wine.

Goat's milk cheeses are small, individual units called lactic cheeses, made using a slow, gentle production method that relies on slow acidification. These cheeses can be soft, mousse-like, and aerated, or firm, dense, and toothsome. Flavours typically include a zippy acidity and sometimes some earthy, mushroom notes.

Dense goat's cheeses such as Crottin de Chavignol pair well with high-acid white wines such as Sancerre and other Sauvignon Blancs. If you can get your hands on an aged goat's cheese, such as the Selles-sur-Cher Confit matured by Laurent Dubois in Paris, you will find the perfect pairing for vintage Champagne.

In general, goat's milk cheese and Sauvignon Blanc make a lovely pair, and other perfumed white wines such as Gewurztraminer also pair nicely with full-bodied soft cheeses. Here, the floral notes bring out the liveliness in the cheese.

Fruity cheese and Moscato

If you're looking for a delightful pairing of fruity cheese and Moscato, look no further. Here are some excellent choices to tantalize your taste buds:

White Stilton Cheese

This mild and fruity cheese is a growingly popular choice, especially when paired with Moscato. The apricot and cranberry flavours in the cheese create a delightful harmony with the stone fruit notes of the Moscato. It's a match made in heaven for those who enjoy a burst of fruitiness in every bite and sip.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is another fantastic option for pairing with Moscato. Its soft and subtle flavours don't overwhelm the wine, creating a pleasant and elegant combination. And if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a high-quality Moscato, the experience is elevated even further. The subtle herbs in goat cheese, especially rosemary, can also enhance the flavours of the Moscato.

Pepper Jack

If you're feeling adventurous, try pairing Pepper Jack cheese with a sweet Moscato. The slight spiciness of the cheese beautifully contrasts the sweetness of the wine, creating a dynamic and exciting flavour profile. This pairing is perfect for those who enjoy a playful dance of sweet and spicy on their palate.

Muenster

Muenster, or Munster, as it's called in some places, is a spicy and flavourful cheese that pairs exceptionally well with sweet Moscato. This French cheese is a favourite among many for its complex flavours that complement the wine without overpowering it. The combination of Muenster cheese and Moscato is a classic for a reason.

So, there you have it! Four fantastic choices for pairing fruity cheese with Moscato. Whether you prefer the mildness of White Stilton, the subtlety of goat cheese, the kick of Pepper Jack, or the spice of Muenster, each of these cheeses will undoubtedly create a delightful duo with your favourite Moscato. So, sit back, relax, and indulge in these heavenly matches made in culinary heaven.

Soft and rich cheeses with Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a versatile white wine that pairs wonderfully with different cheeses. From sweet to crisp and refreshing, the right type of Chardonnay can bring out the best flavours in any cheese. Here are some soft and rich cheeses that go well with Chardonnay:

Brie or Camembert

A dry and buttery Chardonnay pairs well with the mild, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert. The oaky flavour of the wine complements the creaminess of the cheese, while the acidity of the wine cuts through any fatty flavours. This pairing is great with a baguette for added crunch or with fresh fruit.

Aged Gouda or Gruyere

Full-bodied Chardonnay is a good match for nutty cheeses like aged Gouda or Gruyere. These cheeses have a nutty, almost smoky profile that amplifies the notes of Chardonnay. The wine softens and balances the flavours of the cheese while still letting them shine through.

Blue Cheese

Chardonnay also pairs well with mild or strong blue cheese. The oak in the Chardonnay lends itself well to cheese, making this food pairing perfect for a wine and cheese party.

Mild Cheddar Cheese

A light and crisp Chardonnay is a classic combination 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 with fresh fruit like apples or pears, as the wine's sweetness complements the fruit's tang.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

For a more complex pairing, try an unoaked Chardonnay with sharp cheddar. The wine softens the sharpness of the cheese while still displaying its fruity notes. This pairing is perfect as an appetizer or on a meat and cheese board, paired with your favourite crackers, crisp bread, or fruit.

Full-bodied cheeses with full-bodied wines

When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, it's important to remember that while there are some general guidelines, the best approach is to experiment and find what works for your taste buds. That being said, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when it comes to full-bodied cheeses and full-bodied wines.

Firstly, let's talk about what constitutes a full-bodied cheese. These are typically cheeses that are bold and powerful in flavour, such as aged gouda, havarti, or cheddar. These cheeses have strong, distinct flavours that can stand up to a full-bodied wine.

Now, onto the wines. Full-bodied wines are those that are intense and robust, with a high alcohol content. Examples include Chardonnay, Bordeaux blends, Pinot Noir, Chianti, and Rioja. When pairing full-bodied wines with full-bodied cheeses, the key is to look for a balance between intensity and structure. You want neither the cheese nor the wine to dominate the other, but rather to complement each other.

A good tip is to think about the condiments and accompaniments that typically go well with the cheese, and choose a wine that has similar flavours. For example, if a particular cheese pairs well with walnuts, a wine that has nutty flavours, like Vin Jaune, would be a great match. Another classic pairing is to contrast the saltiness of a cheese with the sweetness of a wine. Blue cheeses, for instance, are often served with sweet condiments like orange marmalade or figs, so pairing them with a sweet wine like Sauternes or a German Spätlese can be a delicious combination.

Additionally, when it comes to aged cheeses, it's often said that "age goes with age". This means that an old, creamy, amber-hued aged white wine, such as an aged Riesling or Chardonnay, will often pair beautifully with a flavourful aged cheese. The complexity and acidity of these wines can stand up to and complement the bold flavours of the cheese.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations. While there are some classic pairings, everyone's palate is unique, so trust your taste buds and have fun exploring the endless possibilities of full-bodied wine and cheese pairings!

Frequently asked questions