Merlot And Cheese: Perfect Pairing For A Rich Taste

Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with many foods, from charcuterie and cheese to poultry and red meat. When it comes to cheese, Merlot goes well with hard cheeses like Cheddar, Manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano, and Pecorino. These cheeses have salty and savory flavors that complement medium- and full-bodied red wines. Merlot's soft tannins and medium-high acidity also make it a good match for semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère, Comté, Emmenthal, and Gouda. Some specific cheese and Merlot pairings to try include Merlot with Gouda, Gorgonzola, Brie, and Jarlsberg or Parmesan.

Merlot and Cheddar

Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with many types of cheese. Cheddar, a relatively hard, off-white, sometimes sharp-tasting, natural cheese that originated in England, is one such cheese that complements Merlot's mellow and deep flavour. The ideal pairing depends on the maturity of the cheddar, with a mild to medium block cheddar being easier to match than an aged one. When it comes to wine, a bottle that is two or three years old will pair better with cheddar than a younger one.

Merlot is a popular grape variety that is planted in almost every wine-producing country. It is the second most planted grape variety globally, after Cabernet Sauvignon. It is known for its soft tannins, medium-to-low acidity, and fruity and herbaceous profile, making it a versatile wine that can be paired with both light and heavy dishes. Its position in the middle of the red wine spectrum also allows it to be paired with different types of cheese, from hard cheeses like cheddar to semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère and Gouda.

When pairing Merlot with cheddar, consider the following characteristics:

• Soft Tannins: Merlot's soft tannins make it suitable for pairing with both light and relatively heavy dishes. Cheddar, being a relatively hard cheese, can stand up to the tannins in Merlot.
• Medium to Low Acidity: Merlot's acidity can complement the sharpness of cheddar without being too overpowering.
• Fruity and Herbaceous Profile: The fruity and herbaceous notes in Merlot can enhance the savoury flavours of cheddar.

To create a harmonious pairing, it is recommended to serve Merlot slightly cooler than room temperature, at around 14-17°C (57-63°F). This will ensure the wine is not too warm and will bring out its best characteristics. Additionally, allowing the Merlot to breathe will soften its tannin levels and enhance its flavour and aromas, resulting in a more rounded tasting experience.

Merlot and Gouda

Merlot is a very food-friendly wine. It is softer and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a great option for pairing with cheese. Gouda, a mild-flavoured, yellow cow's milk cheese that originated in the Netherlands, is a great match for Merlot. It is one of the world's most popular cheeses and is classified as a hard cheese that can be aged. Harder cheeses tend to pair better with red wines, and Gouda's mild flavour will not be overpowered by Merlot.

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to consider factors such as tannins, fat, acidity, and texture. Generally, it is safe to pair wines and cheeses from the same region. For example, Italian Chianti goes well with Parmesan. However, if you want to get more specific, you can consider the class of the cheese. The best pairings are those that draw a contrast between the flavours of the wine and cheese. For example, a soft, creamy cheese like Brie goes well with a lush, acidic wine like Chardonnay. Harder cheeses, on the other hand, pair better with wines that are more tannic, and salty cheeses go well with sweet wines.

If you are looking for other cheese options to pair with Merlot, you can consider gorgonzola, brie, Jarlsberg, or parmesan. These cheeses all offer different flavour profiles that can complement the characteristics of Merlot.

When creating your own pairings, it is important to trust your palate. Take a bite of the cheese by itself to assess its taste, then take another bite and hold it in your mouth with a sip of the wine. Consider how the two mingle together to determine if it is a good match.

Merlot and Brie

Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including Brie. Here are some tips and insights on pairing Merlot with Brie:

About Merlot

Merlot is one of the main components in Bordeaux wine blends and is known for its chocolate, black cherry, and plum notes. It is generally softer and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it more food-friendly. When creating a quick plate to pair with Merlot, consider nuts, olives, and pears. For a fancier option, a wine and cheese dessert tray with bittersweet chocolate or berries dipped in dark chocolate can be a delightful combination.

About Brie

Brie is a popular soft cow's milk cheese with a pale colour and a slight greyish tinge surrounded by a white mould rind. It can range from mild and slightly chalky to decadently gooey and quite strong in flavour. Brie is classified as a "bloomy cheese", which includes other soft and creamy varieties like Robiola and Taleggio. When pairing wine with Brie, it's important to consider the maturity of the cheese, as more mature Bries will require more powerful and structured wines.

When pairing Merlot with Brie, it is essential to strike a balance between the flavours of the wine and cheese. Brie is a soft and creamy cheese, so it will pair well with a lush, acidic wine. A fruity (but not too tannic) Merlot can be an excellent choice to complement the richness of Brie. For a more mature Brie, consider a ripe "cru" Beaujolais from a good vintage, such as 2017. Additionally, a creamy and subtly oaked Chardonnay or a dry rosé can also be good options.

Food Pairings

When creating a food platter to accompany your Merlot and Brie pairing, consider the following suggestions:

• Cherries and apples
• Nuts, olives, and pears
• Sweet chutneys and jams with crusty French bread
• Fresh cherries with a cherry or raspberry-flavoured fruit beer

Merlot and Parmesan

Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with many cheeses, including Parmesan. Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard, granular cheese produced from cow's milk and aged between 12 and 36 months. It is characterised by its sharp and salty flavour, and pairs well with medium to full-bodied red wines like Merlot.

When pairing Merlot with Parmesan, consider the following characteristics:

• Soft Tannins: Merlot's soft tannins make it suitable for pairing with both light and heavier dishes. Parmesan, being a hard cheese, complements the softer tannins of the wine.
• Medium to Low Acidity: Merlot typically has medium to low acidity, so it is best to avoid pairing it with highly acidic foods like tomato sauce or lemon. Parmesan, with its salty and savoury flavours, pairs well without adding excessive acidity.
• Herbaceous and Fruity Profile: Merlot has an herbaceous and fruity profile, allowing it to pair well with both savoury and fruity dishes. Parmesan's sharp and salty notes can enhance the fruity flavours of the wine.

To optimise the pairing, it is recommended to serve Merlot slightly cooler than room temperature, around 14-17°C (57-63°F). Additionally, allowing the wine to breathe will soften its tannin levels and enhance its flavours and aromas.

Overall, the combination of Merlot and Parmesan creates a delightful pairing that showcases the versatility of Merlot and the bold flavours of aged cheeses like Parmesan.

Merlot and Gorgonzola

Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including the Italian blue cheese, Gorgonzola. Gorgonzola is a veined, blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, with a salty and sharp flavour, and a bold, crumbly texture. It can be firm or crumbly, with a subtle sweetness, and its blue-green veining is created by penicillin.

When pairing Merlot and Gorgonzola, it is important to consider the different types of Gorgonzola and how they can complement or contrast with the wine. The bold, crumbly texture of Gorgonzola, known as the mountain variety, can stand up to full-bodied red wines like Merlot. On the other hand, creamy and sweet Gorgonzola, often referred to as Gorgonzola dolce, pairs well with wines that can contrast its sweetness, such as Chardonnay.

For a complementary pairing, a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or a medium to full-bodied Malbec can enhance the intense flavour profile of Gorgonzola. The bold plate of Gorgonzola can also stand up to the intense flavours and robust tannins of a Cabernet Sauvignon. For a softer, more relaxed pairing, a tawny port is a good choice as its oak-aged flavour leans more towards toasty notes of almond and wood.

If you're looking for a contrasting pairing to balance the boldness of Gorgonzola, a sweet and fruity white wine like Moscato or Sauternes is a perfect choice. The acidity and fruitiness of Moscato beautifully contrast the funky aromas of Gorgonzola. Similarly, the short and sweet finish of Sauternes pairs well with seasoned Gorgonzola lovers and newcomers to the world of blue cheese.

When in doubt, it is generally safe to pair wines and cheeses from the same region. So, if you're enjoying an Italian Merlot, consider pairing it with Gorgonzola, a designated product of Italy's Lombardy region.

Frequently asked questions