Shiraz And Cheese: Perfect Pairing For A Rich Taste

Wine and cheese are a natural pairing, and the full-bodied Shiraz, a red wine made throughout the world, is no exception. Shiraz is a bold, spicy, fruity wine with high tannin content, and it pairs well with cheeses that have enough flavour and complexity to match its intriguing profile. From a smoky blue to a robust cheddar, there are many cheeses that will please the taste buds while sipping on a nice glass of Shiraz.

Blue cheese and Shiraz

Blue cheese is a pungent cheese with a blue-green tinge, made with cultures of penicillin mould, which create the distinctive veins seen in the cheese. When it comes to wine, blue cheese is notoriously tricky to pair. A bad combination, especially with a stronger blue cheese, can create some harsh results.

However, many blue cheeses are mild enough to be kind to wine. A simple, fruity red wine without too much structure is a safe bet with milder blue cheeses. Anything with high tannins can create harsh combinations. Similarly, most Sauvignon Blancs, dry Rieslings, and Italian whites will not clash.

When it comes to Shiraz, a bold and spicy wine, it is best paired with a bold and salty cheese. Suggested pairings include Halloumi, Gouda, Asiago, Gruyere, and hard cheeses such as Pecorino, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Grana-Padano. A bloomy cheese like Camembert can also pair well with a Shiraz.

Shiraz, particularly Australian Shiraz, is known for its sweet-fruited notes. Therefore, a blue cheese with a touch of bitterness can be deliciously offset by the wine. A blue cheese and fresh fig salad is a delicious pairing with a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi, which would also work with pasta or gnocchi with a blue cheese sauce.

For a stronger blue cheese, such as Roquefort or Cabrales, a medium-bodied red wine may be too pungent. However, a southern Italian red like a Negroamaro or Nero d'Avola or a Zinfandel can work well with milder blue cheeses such as Bleu d'Auvergne or Barkham Blue.

Cheddar and Shiraz

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to remember that a heavy wine will overpower a milder cheese, and vice versa. Opposite tastes also attract, so a fresh and tangy white wine will go well with a buttery and fresh cheese, while a sweet dessert wine will pair nicely with a salty hard cheese. Additionally, it can be fun to try matching wine and cheese from the same region, as they are often produced together, resulting in amazing matches.

To get the most out of your Cheddar and Shiraz pairing, remember to serve the cheese at room temperature and taste the wine by itself first before trying it with the cheese. Your taste buds will then be able to tell you if the pairing works or not.

Smokey cheese and Shiraz

Shiraz, or Syrah, is a full-bodied red wine with a high concentration of tannins. It is known for its dark colour and heavy mouthfeel. The wine is rich and fruity, with flavours of blackberry, black pepper, licorice, and mint.

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to remember that a heavy wine will overpower a milder cheese, and vice versa. Opposite tastes attract, so a fresh and tangy white wine will go well with a buttery and fresh cheese, while a sweet dessert wine will complement a salty hard cheese.

A smokey cheese is a great match for Shiraz, emphasising the tobacco notes in the wine. A good example of a smokey cheese is Rogue Creamery's Smokey Blue, which is cold-smoked over hazelnut shells, giving it a lightly smokey and nutty flavour. This pairs especially well with the spicy, fruity notes of a Shiraz.

For a more intense smokey flavour, try a smoked cheddar or gouda. These cheeses are firm and salty, which is a good match for the boldness of a Shiraz. The saltiness of the cheese will also complement the wine's fruitiness.

If you're looking for a more unusual pairing, try a Basque sheep's milk cheese. This type of cheese is known for its strong, funky flavour, which will stand up to the boldness of a Shiraz.

When serving cheese and wine, it is best to take the cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes beforehand to allow it to come to room temperature. It is also recommended to start with lighter wines and fresher cheeses, gradually moving on to heavier wines and more mature or pungent cheeses.

Goat gouda and Shiraz

Goat gouda, made from pasteurized goat's milk, is a semi-hard, artisan cheese that originates from the Netherlands. It has a distinct tangy flavour that sets it apart from traditional cow's milk gouda. As it ages, goat gouda becomes firmer and develops a more complex taste with hints of caramel and nuts. Its ivory-coloured paste is firm, crumbly, and slightly chalky, with flavours of tart apples and fresh grass.

When it comes to wine pairings, goat gouda is typically paired with white wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir. However, it can also be paired with a bold red wine like Shiraz.

Shiraz, also known as Syrah, is a red wine grape variety that is commonly produced in Australia. Shiraz wines are known for their bold and spicy nature, with flavours of mulberry, spice, and smooth vanilla. They can also have notes of blueberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, and occasionally, a hint of chocolate.

When pairing goat gouda with Shiraz, look for a wine that complements the cheese's tangy and complex flavour profile. The bold and spicy characteristics of Shiraz can stand up to the intensity of goat gouda, creating a harmonious pairing. Additionally, the hint of vanilla in the Shiraz can enhance the caramel notes in the cheese as it ages.

To fully enjoy this pairing, it is recommended to serve the goat gouda at room temperature. This allows the cheese to come to its ideal texture and flavour profile. Start by tasting the Shiraz on its own, then cut a piece of the cheese and take a sip of the wine together. The combination should create a balanced and pleasing sensory experience, with the wine enhancing the flavours of the cheese and vice versa.

Sheep's milk cheese and Shiraz

Sheep's milk cheese is known for its tanginess and high fat content, which coats the mouth and taste buds with its richness. When paired with the right wine, the wine's acidity and sweetness can cut through this rich and creamy layer, creating a wonderful mouthfeel and unlocking different and fuller flavours.

Shiraz, a bold and spicy wine, pairs well with salty and bold cheeses. Some examples of sheep's milk cheeses that can be paired with Shiraz include:

• Pecorino Romano: This Italian sheep's milk cheese is known for its intense saltiness and strong flavour. It is often used as a cooking cheese and can be grated or enjoyed straight.
• Manchego: This well-known Spanish sheep's milk cheese has a broad range of flavours and textures, from sweet and candied to spicy and granular. It is a crowd-pleaser and a good entry point for those new to sheep's milk cheese.
• Roquefort: This French sheep's milk cheese is known as the "Champagne of Cheese" due to its high price and luxurious flavour. It has a strong, salty, and creamy flavour with notes of mushroom and fruit.
• Halloumi: This Cypriot sheep's milk cheese is a good option for those who want a salty and tangy cheese. It can be grilled or cooked, making it a versatile option.
• Feta: This famous Greek sheep's milk cheese is tangy and salty, with a creamy texture. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes.

When pairing sheep's milk cheese with Shiraz, consider the intensity of flavours and the level of saltiness in the cheese to find the best match.

Frequently asked questions