Red Wine And Cheese: Perfect Pairing Guide

Wine and cheese are two of life's greatest culinary pleasures. While there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to pairing the two, there are some guidelines that can help you create a perfect match. The intensity, saltiness, fat content, acidity, tannins, texture, and funkiness of the cheese all influence which wine to choose. For example, a strong blue cheese can quickly overpower a delicate white wine, while a bold red like Barolo may be too much for a mild ricotta.

Red wine and extra sharp cheddar

When it comes to choosing the right red wine to pair with extra sharp cheddar, a dry Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent choice. This full-bodied wine, with its understated hints of dark fruits and herbs, is perfect for bringing out the strong flavours of extra sharp cheddar. The bold flavours of both the wine and the cheese will complement each other rather than overpower one another.

Aged, extra sharp cheddar can become saltier, sharper, and crumbly, making it an ideal pairing for a dry Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine's dryness and subtle fruit and herb notes create a harmonious contrast with the cheese's salty, sharp, and nutty flavours. The dryness of the wine also helps to balance out the fattiness of the cheese, ensuring a pleasant tasting experience.

When selecting an extra sharp cheddar for this pairing, it is important to choose one with the right amount of flavour and fat content. A semi-hard, aged cheddar with a higher fat content is ideal, as it can enhance the wine's flavour while balancing its tannins. The goal is to find a cheddar that complements the wine without overwhelming it.

In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, other red wines can also pair well with extra sharp cheddar. A bold, earthy Pinot Noir, for example, can complement the boldness of Vermont sharp cheddar. The wine's earthy notes and ripe red fruit flavours create a delightful contrast with the cheese's sharp and nutty characteristics.

For a successful pairing, it is essential to consider the maturity and intensity of the cheddar, as well as the specific characteristics of the wine. The right combination of red wine and extra sharp cheddar can elevate the tasting experience, making it a delightful encounter for both novices and connoisseurs alike.

Red wine and aged cheese

When it comes to wine and cheese, there are no hard-and-fast rules. However, there are some classic pairings that can enhance your tasting experience. One such combination is red wine and aged cheese. As a general rule, bolder red wines with higher tannins pair well with aged cheeses. This is because, as cheese ages, it loses water content and becomes richer in flavour and fat content. The fat in the cheese counteracts the high tannins in the wine, creating a harmonious match.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cheddar

A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with hints of herbs and dark fruits is an excellent match for extra sharp cheddar. The wine draws out the bold cheddar flavours, creating a delightful contrast.

Malbec and Aged Cheddar

A rich, chocolaty Malbec is the perfect partner for aged cheddar. The wine's bold flavours and tannins balance the sharpness of the cheese, resulting in a delightful sensory experience.

Pinot Noir and Vermont Sharp Cheddar

Vermont Sharp Cheddar is an aged cheese that pairs beautifully with a Pinot Noir. The earthy notes and ripe red fruit flavours of the wine complement the aged cheddar, creating a delightful sensory experience.

Syrah/Shiraz and Aged Cheese

Aged cheeses have intense savoury flavours that call for an equally intense wine. Syrah, a dry and medium to full-bodied wine with dark fruit and herb notes, stands up well to these bold flavours. For an even more exceptional pairing, try a Shiraz with tobacco notes alongside a smoked cheese.

Red Wine and Gouda

When it comes to red wine and gouda, a Cabernet Sauvignon is an ideal match for aged gouda. The robust caramelised almond flavour of the cheese is perfectly complemented by the dark berry notes and full body of the wine. For a semi-soft, younger gouda, a wine with a touch of oak, such as a Chardonnay or Pinot Gris, would be a better pairing.

Red wine and nutty cheese

Gruyère and Red Wine

Gruyère is a firm, Alpine cheese known for its rich and nutty profile. When pairing red wine with Gruyère, look for wines that can stand up to its robust flavour and enhance its nutty notes. Pinot Noir is an excellent choice, as its fruit-forward profile brings out the nuttiness of the cheese. Merlot is another good option, offering a round, fruity contrast to the cheese's complexity. For a lighter option, a medium-bodied Cabernet Franc with berry notes can also complement Gruyère's richness.

Gouda and Red Wine

Aged Gouda, with its rich, caramelised almond flavour, pairs exceptionally well with full-bodied red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, with its dark berry notes and robust tannins, is an ideal match for the cheese's bold taste. For a slightly lighter option, Merlot's hint of sweetness pairs nicely with the salty, nutty notes of Gouda. If you prefer a bolder, fruitier wine, Zinfandel can also be a good choice, complementing the cheese's caramelised flavours.

Manchego and Red Wine

Manchego, a firm and buttery sheep's milk cheese from Spain, pairs wonderfully with a variety of red wines. The classic choice is a Rioja, a Spanish wine with fruity notes that enhance the cheese's nutty, buttery flavours. Tempranillo, from the same region as Manchego, is another perfect match, complementing the cheese's nutty profile. Garnacha, with its fruity and spicy profile, is also a good option, pairing well with the slight sweetness of the cheese.

Comté and Red Wine

Comté is a semi-soft French cheese with sweet fruit notes, a nutty finish, and a smoky undertone. When pairing red wine with Comté, look for a highly aromatic wine to complement the cheese's complex flavours. Gewürztraminer, with its low acidity and white flower aromas, strikes a beautiful balance. For a red wine with a bit more body, a Rioja can also work well, especially if you are looking for a bolder pairing.

In conclusion, when pairing red wine with nutty cheeses, look for wines that will complement the cheese's nutty profile without overwhelming its delicate flavours. The above suggestions provide a range of options to create harmonious flavour combinations that will enhance your dining experience.

Red wine and creamy cheese

• Pinot Noir and Brie: Brie is an earthy and creamy cheese that pairs well with Pinot Noir, a delicate, light to medium-bodied wine with fruity notes. Together, they create a harmonious combination without overwhelming each other.
• Cabernet Sauvignon and Aged Gouda: Aged Gouda has a robust caramelized almond flavor that calls for a bold, tannic, and full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, with its dark berry notes.
• Zinfandel and Hot Buffalo or Jalapeño Cheese: Zinfandel is a medium to full-bodied, dry red wine with notes of dark jam and black pepper. It pairs well with spicy and creamy cheeses like Hot Buffalo or Jalapeño cheese for a bold and indulgent experience.
• Malbec and Vintage or Reserve Cheese: Vintage or reserve cheeses have robust and intense flavors that require a bold red wine to stand up against them. Malbec, with its medium to full-bodied profile and notes of black fruit, anise, and herbs, is an excellent choice to complement these creamy cheeses.
• Syrah/Shiraz and Aged Cheese: Syrah/Shiraz is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine with dark fruit and herb flavors. It pairs well with aged creamy cheeses, especially smoked varieties, as the smokiness adds depth to the pairing.
• Pinot Noir and Vermont Sharp Cheddar: Vermont Sharp Cheddar is an aged cheese with a bold flavor profile. It pairs well with Pinot Noir, a dry, light to medium-bodied red wine with earthy notes and ripe red fruit flavors. The wine's characteristics beautifully complement the cheese's sharpness.

These are just a few examples of successful pairings of red wine with creamy cheeses. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wine and cheese pairings; the most important thing is to trust your instincts and explore combinations that appeal to your taste preferences.

Red wine and blue cheese

Blue cheese is born from veins of blue mould that run through it. It can be soft and creamy or semi-soft and crumbly. Some are sweeter and milder, but all pack a good deal of sharpness and tang. Blue cheese is one of the more pungent options available, delivering a sharp funk from beginning to end. Depending on its age, blue cheese can be semi-soft or firm and crumbly. It possesses a sweet nuttiness and pronounced saltiness to balance out its funk.

When pairing blue cheese with red wine, it is important to consider the intensity of both the wine and the cheese. In general, wines over 14.5% ABV are more intense and taste better with more intensely-flavoured cheeses. Wines under 12% ABV are less intense and match nicely with more delicately flavoured cheeses. Therefore, a bold, full-bodied red wine with high tannin content pairs well with the strong and salty flavours of blue cheese.

Additionally, the sweetness in the wine helps to balance the "funk" in the cheese and makes it taste creamier. The "stink" of the cheese will also help to balance the sweet taste of the wine. Red wines with high tannin content, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, pair well with the high fat content of aged cheeses. As cheese ages and loses water content, it becomes richer in flavour due to its increased fat content.

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