Cab Sav And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing

Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine with bold, robust flavours and a high tannin content. Its complex profile, encompassing fruity, herbal, woody, and peppery notes, makes it an excellent match for a variety of cheeses. When selecting cheeses to pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, it is important to consider the wine's bold flavours and high tannin content. In general, it is recommended to opt for aged cheeses with nutty undertones, such as aged cheddar or gouda, as their depth of flavour can stand up to the robust characteristics of the wine.

Aged cheddar and gouda

Aged cheddars tend to be the best pairing for various styles of Cabernet Sauvignon. This is because the aging process brings out a slight crunch and rich, nutty flavours in the cheese. Their milder, nutty texture and smooth taste highlight the berry notes in both young and older Cabernet Sauvignons, while the wine's tannins bind to the cheese's protein and fat, cleansing the palate.

Beemster 18-Month Aged Gouda from Holland is another past favourite pairing with Cabernet Sauvignon. The aging process for this type of cheese does a great job of bringing out fruity notes in the wine while making bolder wines taste a bit lighter. Gouda's high-fat content will also help cut through the tannins, reducing the dryness of the wine.

When creating a cheese board, you can include a variety of cheeses, such as a sharp aged cheddar, creamy Brie, and tangy goat cheese. Add complexity with accompaniments like dried fruits, nuts, and honey. This diverse assortment will provide something for everyone and allow your guests to discover their favourite Cabernet Sauvignon and cheese pairings.

Sheep's milk cheese

When it comes to selecting a sheep's milk cheese to pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, there are several options to choose from. Sheep's milk cheeses tend to have a subtle gamey note that works well with the wine. Here are some specific examples:

Ossau-Iraty

This French sheep's milk cheese is a great choice for a Cabernet Sauvignon pairing. It has a firmer texture and subtle nutty flavours that complement the structure and finish of the wine without overpowering it.

San Andreas and Ewenique

These California sheep's milk cheeses have been previously selected for the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon cheese plate. They offer a nice balance of complexity and subtle nutty flavours, enhancing the tasting experience.

Brebisrousse d'Argental

This French sheep's milk cheese is known for its buttery, soft, and smearable texture. It delivers a thick fattiness distinct from cream-enriched double or triple crèmes. Brebisrousse has a briny, meaty character that makes it an interesting choice for those who enjoy a full-powered flavour.

Manchego

Manchego, a well-known Spanish sheep's milk cheese, is a versatile option. It has a broad range of flavours and textures, from sweet and candied undertones to increased age bringing about piquancy, spice, and granularity. Manchego's broad guidelines make it a rarely offensive choice that is generally approachable and snackable.

Pecorino Romano

Pecorino Romano is an Italian sheep's milk cheese that is often used as a cooking cheese. It is known for its intense saltiness and can be used interchangeably with Parmigiano Reggiano. Its strong flavour makes it ideal for pairing with carbs like pasta or for grating over dishes like pesto or amatriciana sauce.

When pairing sheep's milk cheese with Cabernet Sauvignon, consider the characteristics of the wine, such as its bold, robust flavours and high tannin content. The key is to choose cheeses with complex flavours that can stand up to the wine's finish.

Blue cheese

A full-bodied, bold red like Cabernet Sauvignon can stand up to the robust flavour of blue cheese, creating a delicious contrast. The wine's big fruits, tannin, and refreshing acidity can balance the richness of the blue cheese.

When pairing blue cheese with Cabernet Sauvignon, opt for milder blue cheeses with a hint of sweetness and buttery textures, such as Neal's Yard Cashel Blue or Rogue Creamery's Caveman Blue. These blue cheeses complement the fruit and structure of younger, bolder vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon.

For a harmonious pairing, consider serving blue cheese with toasted sourdough, roasted nuts, dried apricots, or apple chutney. These accompaniments will enhance the tasting experience and provide a contrast to the richness of the blue cheese.

When creating a cheese board, include a variety of complementary flavours and textures. Add some complexity by pairing blue cheese with dried fruits, nuts, and honey. This will provide a diverse assortment and allow your guests to discover their favourite pairings.

Soft-ripened cheese

When creating a cheese board to pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, it's important to include a variety of cheeses with complementary flavours and textures. In addition to a sharp aged cheddar, consider including a creamy Brie, a tangy goat cheese, and some dried fruits, nuts, and honey to add complexity.

While Cabernet Sauvignon typically pairs best with heartier, aged cheeses, it can also be enjoyed with lighter options such as mild, creamy cheeses like Camembert or Havarti for a softer, more delicate pairing that allows the wine's flavours to shine.

Hard cheeses

When it comes to hard cheeses, it's important to be cautious as they can enhance the tannins in wine, making your mouth feel too dry. A light red with very little tannin, such as a Lambrusco, is a better match for hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano. The salt and sweetness from the pineapple and caramel flavours of these hard cheeses can strip the fruit from fuller-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.

If you're looking to experiment with harder cheeses and Cab Sav, it's recommended to stick with semi-hard, aged cheeses with a higher fat content. This will help take the edge off the high tannin levels, while the ageing process will help bring out the fruit and berry notes in the wine.

For example, a sharp, aged cheddar has just the right amount of flavour and fat content to help balance the tannins while tasting delicious. Cheddar is a great choice if you're looking for something simple and tasty that everyone knows and enjoys. Gouda is another excellent option, as its high fat content will help cut through the tannins and reduce the dryness of the wine. The ageing process of Gouda also brings out fruity notes in the wine, making bolder wines taste lighter.

Frequently asked questions