Shiraz Cabernet: Which Cheeses Pair Best?

Shiraz, also known as Syrah, is a full-bodied red wine with a high concentration of tannins. It is known for its dark colour and rich, fruity taste. When it comes to cheese, Shiraz pairs well with salty, bold cheeses. Some specific examples include Halloumi, Gouda, Asiago, Gruyere, and hard cheeses such as Pecorino, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Grana-Padano. A bloomy cheese like Camembert can also complement the wine's earthy notes. For Australian Shiraz, which tends to be sweeter and riper, grilled or barbecued beef is often recommended.

Blue cheese

However, blue cheese can also be enjoyed with drier white or red wines, depending on the context. For instance, a blue cheese and fresh fig salad pairs well with a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi. A burger or steak with blue cheese would go well with a hearty red like a cabernet sauvignon or malbec. Smokey blue cheese, such as Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue, is a great match for a glass of Shiraz, especially when served on a burger. Smokey, nutty flavours complement the Shiraz's tobacco notes.

If you're serving blue cheese, it's best to take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving.

Goat's cheese

When young and fresh, goat's cheese can be quite tangy and acidic, but when aged into a gouda-style cheese, it becomes sweet and pleasantly sharp with a caramelised finish. These flavours are complemented by the ripe berry notes in a Shiraz Cabernet.

If you're looking for a red wine pairing, Cabernet Franc is a great choice. The Loire Valley produces lighter styles with more herbaceous notes and tart acidity that complement the soft, impressionable nature of goat's cheese.

For something a little different, try a cool-climate Syrah (also known as Shiraz). The lush fruit flavours will mellow out the funky, bitter flavours that some people find overwhelming in soft goat's cheese. Examples of goat's cheese that pair well with a cool-climate Syrah include Murray's Goat Gouda and L'Amuse Brabander Goat Gouda.

Cheddar

When pairing wine and cheese, the goal is to achieve a balance of flavour. The cheese should not overpower the drink, and the drink should not bury the flavour of the cheese. A heavy wine will completely overpower a milder cheese, and a pungent cheese will overpower a light wine. Therefore, a lighter wine should be paired with a milder cheese, and a sweet or heavy wine with a bolder, more mature cheese.

Shiraz, also known as Syrah, is a full-bodied wine with a high concentration of tannins. It is a dark, lush, and rich wine with flavours of blackberry, black pepper, licorice, and mint. It is an excellent pairing for cheddar, especially aged cheddars. The bold and spicy nature of Shiraz pairs well with the salty, nutty, and sharp flavours of cheddar.

Aged cheddars such as Cabot's Clothbound Cheddar and Beecher's Flagship Cheddar are recommended pairings for Shiraz. The former is a sharp cheddar with a nutty finish, and the latter is a nutty and robust cheddar with a sharp finish. These intense flavours are accentuated by the equally intense flavour of Shiraz, while the dryness of the wine complements the savoury notes of the cheddar.

Camembert

Shiraz, also known as Syrah, is a full-bodied wine with a high concentration of tannins. It is lush and rich with fruit like blackberry and the flavours of black pepper, licorice, and mint. It is very dark in colour and will feel heavy in the mouth. Australian Shiraz is typically much sweeter and riper than European Syrah, with a trademark peppery scent and rich dark red and black fruits and delicate earthy oak notes.

The mushroomy, wet hay characteristics of Camembert match the earthy notes in Shiraz and are contrasted by the rich, berry fruit in the wine. The combination of the cheese's tanginess and the wine's fruitiness creates a wonderful mouthfeel. French Camembert is always a good choice, but if you prefer a milder and more buttery flavour, opt for American-made versions like Old Chatham Camembert from New York or Mt. Townsend Creamery's Pacific Northwest Camembert called Cirrus.

When pairing Camembert with Shiraz, it is important to serve the cheese at room temperature to fully unlock its flavour. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.

Gouda

When it comes to red wines, a full-bodied wine like Cabernet Sauvignon is a good match for aged gouda. For younger gouda, lighter reds like Pinot Noir are a better choice. Shiraz is another bold and spicy red wine that pairs well with gouda, particularly the smoked variety. The Yellow Tail brand of Shiraz, made in Yenda, South Eastern Australia, is a good option. It has flavours of mulberry, spice, and smooth vanilla. The typical flavours of Shiraz include blueberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, and sometimes chocolate.

For white wines, Pinot Grigio and Riesling are excellent choices for gouda cheese. They are both dry with lower alcohol content than reds or richer whites, so they won't overpower the nuanced flavours of mild gouda. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc are also good options for younger gouda.

When pairing gouda cheese with wine, there are no hard and fast rules. It is all about experimenting and finding what works best for your taste buds. However, by understanding the different ages and flavour profiles of gouda cheese, you can create a harmonious pairing that enhances the flavour profile of both the cheese and the wine.

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