Cheese And Dry White Wine: A Perfect Pairing

Wine and cheese are a classic combination, with few foods pairing better together. While red wine and cheese can be a tricky duo due to the tannins in red wine, white wine is much more suitable for serving with cheese. The acidity and sweetness of white wine complement the creamy, nutty, and pungent properties of cheese. When it comes to dry white wine, it is best to avoid very dry wines with cheese. Instead, opt for varieties with a little residual sugar. The sugar in the wine pairs well with the salt in the cheese, and the acidity offsets the greasy feeling. German Rieslings, with their balance of sweetness and acidity, are an excellent choice for a dry white wine and cheese pairing. For a light, zesty wine like Sauvignon Blanc, a bright, youthful soft goat, sheep, or cow cheese is a good option.

Sauvignon Blanc and goat's cheese

Goat's cheese, or chèvre in French, is simply any cheese made with goat's milk. It can range from soft to hard and tangy to sweet. The acidity in Sauvignon Blanc matches the acidity in the cheese, creating a fresh and invigorating combination.

The pairing is also a regional one. France's Loire Valley is famous for both goat's cheese and Sauvignon Blanc-based wines like Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Sauvignon de Touraine. The wines from this region tend to be acidic, mineral-driven, and citrusy, imparting these flavours into the creaminess of the cheese.

While Sauvignon Blanc is the most popular choice to pair with goat's cheese, other citrussy whites with similar characteristics will also work well. These include Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Godello, Albarino, Alvarinho, Chablis, and Pinot Grigio. A crisp, dry rosé, especially a Provençal rosé, is also a great choice to pair with goat's cheese.

Chardonnay and Brie

Brie is a soft-ripened cheese with a fairly high fat content, classified as a bloomy rind from the historic Brie district of France. It can be made from cow or sheep milk, but cow's milk is more common. The cheese can be mild and slightly chalky or decadently gooey and quite strong in flavour. The best wine pairing depends on the maturity of the cheese. A creamy, subtly oaked Chardonnay is an excellent match for Brie. A Chardonnay-based sparkling wine or even a posh white Burgundy will also pair well with the cheese.

For a stronger-flavoured, more mature Brie, a fruity red such as a New Zealand or Chilean Pinot Noir is a good choice. A fruity (but not too tannic) Merlot or a ripe Beaujolais from a good vintage like 2017 will also complement a more mature Brie. A lightly oaked Chenin Blanc will also bring out the delicate nutty notes in the cheese, with apple characteristics that contrast and highlight its nuttiness.

Moscato and blue cheese

Moscato is a sweet and fruity wine with a slight fizz, crafted from the Muscat grape. It is known for its distinct aroma, often described as floral, with notes of orange blossom, peach, and apricot. Its sweetness is balanced by its acidity, preventing it from becoming cloying. The wine's low alcohol content, typically around 5-8%, makes it a popular choice for those who prefer lighter wines.

When it comes to pairing Moscato with blue cheese, the wine's sweetness and acidity create a harmonious contrast with the salty, tangy, and pungent characteristics of the cheese. The sweetness of the Moscato balances the saltiness of the blue cheese, resulting in a delightful combination of flavours.

For a Moscato and blue cheese pairing, it is recommended to choose a blue cheese with a creamy texture and a mild flavour profile. Some of the best options include:

• Stilton: This English blue cheese has a crumbly texture and a creamy, tangy flavour. Its mildness makes it an excellent match for Moscato.
• Cabrales: A Spanish blue cheese made from a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk, giving it a complex and creamy texture with a tangy taste.
• Gorgonzola: A well-known blue cheese made from cow's milk, with a tangy and slightly spicy flavour. Its creamy texture and bold flavour complement Moscato beautifully.

When serving Moscato and blue cheese, it is ideal to serve the wine chilled and the cheese at room temperature. This pairing is a perfect conclusion to a meal or as a dessert, offering a satisfying combination of sweet and salty flavours.

Riesling and Raclette

Riesling is one of the most food-friendly grapes, making it a versatile choice for a wine and cheese pairing. While Riesling has a reputation for being sweet, the wines made from Riesling grapes range from dry to sweet, depending on the ripeness at which the grapes were harvested.

Riesling is the most famous aromatic white wine. It is a very fresh wine with floral aromas and intense citrus flavours. Thanks to its high acidity and hint of sweetness, it matches perfectly with a wide range of foods, including Raclette. Raclette is a semi-hard Swiss cheese that pairs well with fresh white wines with a hint of sweetness. The acidity in the wine helps to counteract the fat in the cheese, reducing the oily aspect of melted cheese.

Riesling's aromatic bouquet is perfect for all cheese-based recipes. This elegant, fresh grape can enhance both melted cheese and charcuterie. With its ample mouthfeel, it brings freshness to the dish, while revealing light, flowery notes.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with Raclette, a bottle of Riesling is an excellent choice.

Pinot Gris and Ricotta

When it comes to pairing dry white wine with cheese, there are endless possibilities. The freshness, perfumed notes, and combination of acidity and sweetness in white wine complement the creamy, nutty, and pungent properties of cheese.

Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Grigio, is a very light and crisp wine with citrusy notes and a gentle bouquet. It is related to the red grape Pinot Noir, with "gris" being French for "grey" and "grigio" being the Italian equivalent. When it comes to pairing Pinot Gris with cheese, fresh white cheeses like ricotta are a good option. Ricotta is a soft, mild, and slightly sweet cheese that can be made from cow, goat, sheep, or Italian water buffalo milk. The mild and creamy flavour of ricotta can complement the lightness and crispness of Pinot Gris, creating a harmonious pairing.

When serving Pinot Gris with ricotta, consider the following tips:

• Experiment with different types of ricotta: Ricotta can vary in taste and texture depending on the type of milk used and the production method. Try different varieties to find the one that best suits your palate.
• Pair with complementary flavours: Pinot Gris has citrusy notes, so consider pairing it with a ricotta that has a touch of lemon zest or other complementary flavours.
• Add some accompaniments: To enhance the pairing, serve the ricotta with crackers, fresh or dried fruits, herbs, or a drizzle of honey.
• Temperature matters: Serve the wine slightly chilled, and the ricotta at room temperature, to fully appreciate their flavours and textures.

In conclusion, Pinot Gris and ricotta can be a delightful pairing, offering a balanced combination of freshness, acidity, and sweetness. By experimenting with different types of ricotta and adding complementary accompaniments, you can create a delightful cheese course or appetizer that showcases the versatility of dry white wine and cheese pairings.

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