Cheese Pairing: A Guide To Perfect Combinations

Cheese is delicious on its own, but combining it with other foods and drinks can create some amazing flavour profiles. The best pairings depend on the type of cheese, and there are a few rules to live by when it comes to cheese pairing. Firstly, choose your cheese first and select 3-5 different varieties with a range of textures, appearances and sharpness of flavour. Then, consider whether you want to match complementary flavours or contrast them. For example, mild cheeses go well with mild foods, while salty flavours can be paired with sweet ones. You can also build a bridge by introducing a third element to bring the pairing together, such as honey to complement a spiced cheese and apple slice. Another tip is to pair cheese with foods and drinks from the same region, as they will often go well together. Finally, create an intensity journey, starting with mild flavours and progressing to stronger ones.

Wine and cheese

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to consider the intensity of both the wine and the cheese. Pairing wine and cheese of equal intensity will create a harmonious tasting experience. For example, tannin-rich red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, pair well with strong and aged cheeses like extra sharp cheddar or parmesan. On the other hand, white wines, which are lower in tannins, are better suited for lighter cheeses, such as a mild cheddar, as well as some dry, sharp varieties like aged parmesan or creamy Colby jack.

Another factor to consider is the sweetness of the wine. Sweet wines can be paired with unique, eclectic cheeses as the sweetness balances out the funkiness or stinkiness of the cheese. Sparkling wines, with their higher acidity and carbonation, also work well with soft and creamy cheeses, as they help to cleanse the palate.

If you're looking for a safe bet, firm and nutty cheeses are versatile and can be paired with both red and white wines. For example, a Chianti, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet wine can be paired with hard cheeses like Romano or Parmesan.

When creating a wine and cheese board, it is recommended to choose 3-5 different cheeses with a variety of textures, appearances, and sharpness of flavours. This will create an intensity journey for your taste buds, similar to a wine or beer tasting, where you progress from lighter to fuller flavours.

Some specific wine and cheese pairings to try include:

• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Cabernet Sauvignon
• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Merlot
• Colby Jack Cheese & Chardonnay
• Monterey Jack Cheese & Sauvignon Blanc
• Mild Cheddar Cheese & Pinot Grigio
• Pepper Jack Cheese & Moscato
• Habanero Cheddar Cheese & Riesling
• Pepper Jack Cheese & White Blend
• Monterey Jack Cheese & Champagne
• Colby Jack & Sweet Rosé
• Mild Cheddar Cheese & Dry Rosé

Beer and cheese

When pairing beer and cheese, the general principle is to look for balance. The biggest factor is weight or intensity. For example, a huge, high-alcohol barrel-aged beer will likely not pair well with a mild, fresh cheese. Once you've narrowed down the possible beer styles to those with a similar intensity, you then look for complementary or contrasting flavours. Some cheeses show their best qualities when paired with a beer that has a completely different flavour profile, while others shine when paired with a beer that features many of the same flavours.

• Wheat beer with aged goat cheese: The effervescence of wheat ales cuts through the dense, cakey cheese, and their bright notes of citrus complement the goat cheese's lemony tang. Try it with French Bucheron, Humboldt Fog, or Coupole.
• Sour ale with fatty cheese: Sour beers have a lot of funky acidity, which is balanced out by the fat in indulgent, voluptuous cheeses. Try it with a double-cream brie like Mt. Tam, Burrata, or mascarpone.
• American lager with cheese spread: For a simple, satisfying pairing, grab some crackers and a tub of creamy cheese spread, and enjoy with your favourite cheap beer.
• American pale ale with American cheddar: The slight sweetness of American pale ales goes well with the tangy flavour of American cheddar. Try it with Red Rock, Hook's Cheddar, and Shelburne Farms 2-year.
• IPA with clothbound cheddar: The barny flavours in earthy clothbound cheddar mellow the bitter hops in the IPA and bring out the fruity bits. Try it with Montgomery's Cheddar, Willi's Bandaged Cheddar, and Cabot Clothbound Cheddar.
• Farmhouse ale with Alpine-style cheese: Aged Alpine-style cheeses have complex, lasting flavours that can range from nutty to floral to grassy. Farmhouse ales have a funky, earthy flavour that can stand up to these intricacies and bring a dry crispness to refresh the palate. Try it with Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Comté, or Gruyère.
• Belgian ale with washed-rind cheese: The yeasty, banana bread flavours in these robust ales calm the strong aroma of washed-rind cheeses. Belgians are also bold enough to stand up to the rich, custard textures. Together, they create toasty, caramelly notes that are reminiscent of crème brûlée. Try it with Époisses, Taleggio, and Grayson.
• Amber ale with aged sheep's milk cheese: Amber ales have sweet, malty notes that create a praline pecan effect when combined with salty, nutty sheep's milk cheeses. Try it with Ossau-Iraty, Manchego, or Pecorino.
• Stout with blue cheese: Bold blues have a robust character that can stand up to big, chocolatey stouts. It's a salty-sweet combination that's perfect for dessert. Try it with Stichelton, Bayley Hazen Blue, or Rogue River Blue.

Fruit/vegetable and cheese

When pairing fruit and cheese, it's important to consider the flavour and texture of each. Fresh fruit matches fresh cheese, like ricotta or chèvre. Sugar loves mould, so pair bloomy rind, washed rind, wrinkly rind, and blue cheese with sweet fruits. Balance intensities and seek out complementary flavours, especially for semi-hard cheeses. Use fatty flavours to soften dry textures, as with hard cheeses.

• Apple with cheddar, manchego, brie, or granny smith.
• Blackberries with cotija or aged cheddar.
• Cranberries with mozzarella or manchego.
• Raspberries with cream cheese, or grilled muenster/baby swiss cheese.
• Figs with blue cheese or smoked gouda.
• Grapes with red wax gouda, cheddar, or gorgonzola.
• Pears with brie, blue cheese, manchego, pecorino romano, or camembert.
• Peaches with burrata or mozzarella.
• Strawberries with fontina or ricotta.
• Cherries with montchevre triple crème goat cheese and dark chocolate.
• Guava with Black Creek cheddar.
• Watermelon with Treasure Cave blue cheese or halloumi.
• Apricots with goat cheese.
• Dragon fruit with Roncal, a Spanish sheep's milk cheese.
• Plums with Vermont sharp cheddar.
• Eggplant with extra sharp cheddar.
• Pickled radishes with farmhouse reserve cheddar.
• Roasted red peppers with sharp cheddar.
• Portobello mushrooms with lite50 sharp cheddar.
• Sun-dried tomatoes with seriously sharp cheddar.
• Kimchi with Monterey jack.

When creating a cheese board, it's best to include a variety of textures to engage the senses and provide interest. Aim for four to six different varieties to provide a nice range of textures and flavours.

Herb and cheese

Herbs and cheese are a classic combination enjoyed by cultures around the world. The best way to decide which herbs go with which cheese is to determine the strength of the herb's flavour. When you stick with fresh herbs and high-quality cheeses, you really can't go wrong with almost any combination.

Pepper Jack and Oregano

The subtle heat and creamy texture of Pepper Jack combine beautifully with the earthy, bitter notes of oregano. Marinate cubed Pepper Jack Cheese in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Serve with crusty bread for a tasty snack.

Alpine Cheddar and Thyme

Alpine Cheddar's Swiss-inspired flavour is accented perfectly by thyme's gentle earthiness and subtle citrus. Top an apple slice with Alpine Cheddar Cheese, chopped thyme, and a drizzle of honey for a sweet, savoury snack.

Seriously Sharp Cheddar and Sage

Seriously Sharp Cheddar's complexity and slight nuttiness pair well with the savoury, pine-like flavours of sage. Toss gnocchi with a brown butter sage sauce and chunks of Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner.

Monterey Jack and Dill

Monterey Jack's creamy, mild nature pairs well with the slightly bitter, herbaceous flavour of dill. Place sliced Monterey Jack Cheese and smoked salmon on a cucumber round and top with chopped dill for a quick, low-carb snack or appetiser.

Lite50 Sharp Cheddar and Garlic

Lite50 Sharp Cheddar's creamy texture and buttery mouthfeel are a perfect match for the strong, pungent flavours of garlic. Try roasted garlic for a more delicate, nutty flavour. Spread roasted garlic on a freshly sliced baguette, top with Lite50 Sharp Cheddar Cheese, and melt until gooey.

Horseradish Cheddar and Rosemary

Horseradish Cheddar's intense flavour and luscious creaminess are accented by the slightly minty, peppery taste of rosemary. Top smashed, roasted red potatoes with grated Horseradish Cheddar Cheese and chopped rosemary for a next-level side dish.

Chocolate and cheese

When pairing chocolate and cheese, a good rule of thumb is to match the chocolate with a cheese that has a similar flavour profile. For example, a nutty chocolate goes well with an aged, firm, nutty cheese, while a slightly savoury and funky chocolate pairs well with a washed rind. Dark chocolate with slight metallic notes pairs well with a creamy blue cheese.

However, you can also experiment with contrasts. For example, a triple cream cheese can balance the astringent, slightly bitter quality of dark chocolate. If your chocolate is more acidic, perhaps with tart cherry notes, it will require a cheese that complements and contrasts this flavour, such as a sweet, creamy blue.

• Blue cheese + dark chocolate
• Goat cheese + milk chocolate
• Cheddar cheese + nuts and chocolate
• Brie cheese + fruit-filled chocolate
• Coffee-flavoured chocolate + gouda cheese
• Spicy chocolate + aged goat cheese
• Sea salt chocolate + peppercorn-laced cheese
• Ginger chocolate + blue cheese
• Dark chocolate with almonds + alpine cheddar cheese
• Dark chocolate with raspberries + sharp cheddar cheese

Frequently asked questions