The Perfect Cheese Pairing Guide For Dry Prosecco

When it comes to cheese, dry Prosecco is a versatile drink that can be paired with a variety of options. The crisp acidity of Prosecco cuts through rich and fatty foods, making it a perfect match for mild and creamy cheeses. Brie, for instance, is a classic pairing, with its mild flavour and soft texture complementing the delicate bubbles and fruity notes of the Prosecco. Another option is Camembert, a soft, creamy cheese with an earthy, mushroomy flavour that pairs well with the crisp, effervescent bubbles. Parmigiano Reggiano is also a tasty contrast when paired with Prosecco – the sharp saltiness of the cheese is balanced by the cool, sparkling wine. For those who enjoy a more herbal cheese, Acidino, a soft goat's milk cheese from Veneto flavoured with fresh herbs, is another excellent choice.

Brie and Prosecco

Brie is a soft French cheese that is rich and creamy, with an earthy flavour. It is a perfect match for a glass of prosecco, especially if it is a double or triple cream variety. The fruitiness of the prosecco complements the cheese, and the two have a pleasingly contrasting mouthfeel.

Brie is a wonderful appetiser, often served with fruit or crackers, and it is commonly eaten at breakfast, making it a great option for brunch with a glass of prosecco. You could also try baking brie in puff pastry with marmalade and almonds, which makes a delicious pairing with a chilled glass of prosecco.

If you want to add some extra texture and interest, serve the brie with grapes and crackers. You could also try a baked brie crostini with prosciutto, drizzled with honey, and topped with fresh herbs.

Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosecco

Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, dry cheese made from skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk. It has a hard, pale-golden rind and a straw-coloured interior with a rich, sharp flavour. Parmigiano Reggianos are aged for at least two years, with some varieties aged for three or four years. The cheese has a complex, granular texture and flavour, with notes of sweet onion grass, cashew, pineapple and lactic acid.

When pairing cheese with Prosecco, it's important to consider the delicate, sometimes salty or sweet flavour of the wine. Prosecco's crisp acidity can cut through the richness of fatty or creamy foods. Parmigiano Reggiano is a salty cheese that can complement the saltiness and bubbles of a good brut Prosecco. The wine's high acidity and bubbles can penetrate the dense, buttery texture of the cheese, cleansing the palate for the next bite.

To elevate the pairing, serve Parmigiano Reggiano with aged Aceto Balsamico di Modena, onion garlic jam, or shaved onto a summer salad. For a unique presentation, you can even ignite an entire wheel of the cheese with brandy and serve pasta out of it! When choosing a Prosecco, look for a brut variety, which will have a higher acidity and smaller, finer bubbles known as perlage.

Camembert and Prosecco

When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, Prosecco and Camembert are a match made in heaven. The delicate bubbles of Prosecco cut through the saltiness of hard cheeses, and its crisp acidity and natural sweetness pair perfectly with acidic, sweet, fatty, and salty flavours.

Camembert is a soft cheese with a rich flavour profile that matches well with the sweetness of Prosecco. The wine's crisp acidity cuts through the cheese's creamy texture, creating a satisfying contrast in mouthfeel. The bubbles and acidity of Prosecco also act as a nice palate cleanser, making it a perfect pairing for rich, creamy cheeses like Camembert.

When pairing Prosecco and Camembert, consider the sweetness level of the Prosecco. Brut and extra brut Proseccos tend to pair better with savoury foods, while dry and extra-dry Proseccos work best with sweet foods. The sweetness of Prosecco can balance out the saltiness of Camembert, while its acidity cuts through the cheese's creamy texture.

In addition to Camembert, other cheeses that pair well with Prosecco include Brie, buffalo mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, gorgonzola, goat's cheese, fontina, and aged cheeses such as Parmesan, Asiago, and Pecorino Romano.

So, the next time you're looking for a delicious wine and cheese pairing, remember that Prosecco and Camembert are a perfect match. The sweetness of the Prosecco and the rich flavour of the Camembert will create a delightful tasting experience.

Mozzarella and Prosecco

Mozzarella is a soft, mild and creamy cheese that pairs well with Prosecco. The saltiness of the cheese is a great complement to the wine's dryness, sweetness and acidity. Prosecco's crisp acidity also cuts through the richness of mozzarella, providing a balanced and complex flavour profile.

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese that can be incorporated into dishes paired with Prosecco. For example, an Italian-style mushroom omelette with mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil is a tasty combination with the wine. The crispness of the Prosecco cuts through the richness of the cheese and eggs, adding extra complexity to the dish.

Mozzarella di bufala, or buffalo mozzarella, is another variety that pairs well with Prosecco. This type of mozzarella is known for its creamy texture and slight saltiness, which can be enhanced by the wine. Enjoy it with garden-fresh tomatoes and basil leaves for a refreshing and flavourful experience.

When choosing a Prosecco to pair with mozzarella, consider the wine's sweetness level. Brut Prosecco is the driest option, with little to no residual sugar. Extra dry and dry varieties have increasing levels of sugar, while demi-sec is the sweetest. The saltiness of mozzarella can balance out the sweetness of the wine, creating a delightful contrast on your palate.

In addition to mozzarella, consider pairing your Prosecco with other cheeses. Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert are excellent choices, as their rich and creamy textures pair well with the wine's bubbles and acidity. Parmesan is another classic pairing, offering a mature flavour profile that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the wine.

When creating a cheese platter to enjoy with Prosecco, remember to keep it simple. Avoid overwhelming the wine with too many strong flavours or textures. Instead, opt for a balanced selection of mild cheeses that will complement the delicate notes of the Prosecco.

Burrata and Prosecco

Prosecco is a sparkling Italian wine, which is light, fresh, fruity, and easy to drink. It has delicate, sometimes salty or sweet flavours, and pairs well with a variety of cheeses.

The crisp acidity of Prosecco cuts through the richness of creamy cheeses like burrata, providing balance and complexity. The bubbles and acidity of the wine act as a nice palate cleanser, cutting through the creamy texture of the cheese. The yeastiness of the Prosecco gives burrata a lovely tartness.

To elevate the pairing, serve burrata with crusty Italian bread, olive oil, and fresh ingredients like tomatoes, basil, and prosciutto. This combination makes for a wonderful light lunch or a delicious start to an Italian dinner.

When choosing a Prosecco to pair with burrata, opt for a higher-quality version from Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. Look for bottles labelled Cartizze or Rive, indicating they are from the best vineyard sites. If you prefer your Prosecco brut, go for a brut version, but if you like a touch of sweetness, try extra dry.

So, the next time you're looking to indulge in some burrata, be sure to pop open a bottle of Prosecco for the perfect pairing!

Frequently asked questions