Randy Chandler
When it comes to wine and cheese, some pairings are simply classic. Pinot Noir, a versatile red wine, is known for its delicate taste and pairs well with a variety of cheeses. However, due to its subtle qualities, it is important not to overpower a Pinot Noir with strong, stinky cheeses or fresh goat cheeses. Instead, opt for delicate washed-rind cheeses like Taleggio, nutty medium-firm cheeses like Gruyere, or soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. For a more intense flavour experience, aged cheeses such as Gouda and Comté are excellent choices. For those feeling adventurous, a semi-soft German cheese called Cambozola offers a sharp sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the smoothness of Pinot Noir.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Washed-rind cheeses, nutty, medium-firm cheeses, soft cheeses |
| Examples | Taleggio, Gruyere, Brie, Camembert, Comte, Sottocenere, Munster, Fontina, Gouda, Abbaye de Belloc, Camembert, Roucoulons, Jasper Hill's Moses Sleeper |
| Flavour | Delicate, nutty, earthy, fruity, mild, creamy, buttery, salty, sweet |
| Texture | Dense, rich, creamy, smooth, semi-hard, semi-soft, soft |
| Region | French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch, American |
| Food Pairings | Salumi, charcuterie, duck rillettes, pate, salted nuts, cured olives, almonds, dried dark berries |
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What You'll Learn
Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert
When it comes to pairing cheese with Pinot Noir, it's important to consider the wine's versatility and delicate nature. While it is a light red wine, it is versatile in terms of cheese pairings. However, due to its subtle qualities, strong and pungent cheeses should be avoided. Instead, opt for delicate washed-rind cheeses or nutty, medium-firm cheeses. Less cheesy cheeses, such as soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert, can also be excellent choices.
The origin of the Pinot Noir also plays a role in cheese pairing. For example, a light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir from Burgundy or Oregon pairs well with bloomy cheeses like Camembert, while a full-bodied Californian Pinot Noir would be better suited for semi-hard cheeses like Munster or Fontina. Old-world Pinot Noirs, especially those from Burgundy, tend to have more aromatic savoury notes, making them a great match for aged Camembert. On the other hand, new-world Pinot Noirs from places like Chile showcase more fruit-forward characteristics, pairing well with simple, soft cheeses.
In addition to soft cheeses, there are other types of cheeses that complement Pinot Noir. These include sheep's milk cheeses, such as Abbaye de Belloc from France, which has a nutty and complex flavour that doesn't overwhelm the wine. Another option is Gouda, a semi-hard Dutch cheese with a rich flavour and smooth texture. Medium-aged Gouda, in particular, works well with Pinot Noir. For those who enjoy blue cheese, Cambozola, a semi-soft German cheese with blue veins, offers a sharp sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the smoothness of the wine.
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Semi-hard cheeses like Gouda
When it comes to choosing a cheese to pair with Pinot Noir, it's important to consider the wine's delicate nature. As a light red wine, Pinot Noir is quite versatile when it comes to cheese pairings. However, it's essential to avoid overpowering the wine with strong, pungent cheeses or fresh goat cheeses.
Gouda's nutty and sweet notes complement the earthy and fruity characteristics of Pinot Noir. The cheese's smooth texture also pairs well with the wine's silky mouthfeel. When enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir, consider serving it with a platter of Gouda and other semi-hard cheeses, such as Munster or Fontina, for a delightful sensory experience.
In addition to Gouda, other semi-hard cheeses that pair well with Pinot Noir include Abbaye de Belloc, a French sheep's milk cheese from the Basque region. This cheese has a mild, nutty, and complex flavour, with a firm, dense, rich, and creamy texture. Its distinctive aroma adds to the overall sensory experience. Another option is Sottocenere, an Italian cheese from the northern region of Veneto. Sottocenere is infused with truffles, giving it an earthy flavour profile that pairs beautifully with the wine's earthy notes.
When creating a cheese platter to pair with Pinot Noir, consider including a variety of semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda, Munster, Fontina, Abbaye de Belloc, and Sottocenere. By offering a selection, you can explore the diverse flavour profiles and textures that complement the wine's delicate characteristics. Remember to pay attention to the origin and age of the cheeses, as these factors can significantly impact their flavour and texture, ensuring a harmonious pairing with your Pinot Noir.
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Sheep's milk cheeses like Abbaye de Belloc
Sheep's milk cheeses, such as Abbaye de Belloc, are known to pair well with Pinot Noir. This French sheep's milk cheese from the Basque region is a mildly nutty and complex-flavoured cheese that doesn't overwhelm the subtle qualities of a Pinot Noir. Its firm, dense, rich, and creamy texture, along with its distinctive lanolin aroma, make it an ideal companion to the wine.
Abbaye de Belloc, also known as Abbaye Notre-Dame de Belloc, was first produced by Benedictine monks in the Pays Basque region of Aquitaine, France. They used sheep's milk from the local red-nose sheep and followed a cheese-making process that dates back 3,000 years. It is a traditional, farmhouse, unpasteurized, semi-hard cheese with a flat wheel shape. The cheese has a natural, crusty, brownish rind with patches of red, orange, and yellow, marked with tiny craters. The aging process of Abbaye de Belloc ranges from four to ten months, and it is often aged for at least six months.
The nutty, rich, and buttery flavours of Abbaye de Belloc are enhanced when paired with a fruit-driven Pinot Noir. The cheese's firm texture and dusty rind complement the wine's delicate taste. The Benedictine monks' expertise in cheese-making, combined with the grazing of the sheep and the unique biome of the aging cellars, contribute to the exceptional quality and flavour of Abbaye de Belloc.
When pairing sheep's milk cheeses like Abbaye de Belloc with Pinot Noir, it is important to consider the wine's delicate nature. Pinot Noir is a light red wine with enough acidity to complement creamy textures. However, strong and pungent cheeses can overpower its subtle characteristics. Therefore, the mild and nutty flavours of Abbaye de Belloc make it a perfect choice to enjoy with a glass of Pinot Noir.
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Semi-soft cheeses like Sottocenere
When it comes to choosing a cheese to pair with Pinot Noir, it's important to remember that this light red wine is quite delicate, so you don't want to overpower it with strong, stinky cheeses. Semi-soft cheeses like Sottocenere can be an excellent choice. Sottocenere is an Italian cheese from the northern region of Veneto. It is infused with the flavour of truffles, making it a good match for an earthy Pinot Noir, especially one from Burgundy. This creamy cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and aged in a coat of various spices, including nutmeg, coriander, cinnamon, licorice, cloves, and fennel. The resulting semi-soft paste is laced with slivers of black truffle, creating a delicate, aromatic, and unusual flavour profile.
The key to a successful pairing with Pinot Noir is to complement its delicate nature without overwhelming it. Sottocenere's creamy texture and subtle flavours can achieve this balance. Its earthy and nutty notes can enhance the wine's characteristics without being too assertive. When selecting a Pinot Noir to pair with Sottocenere, consider choosing one with earthy tones, such as those from Burgundy or Oregon. These wines often exhibit aromas of red fruits like cherries or strawberries, as well as earthy and mushroomy notes, which can create an intriguing interplay with the flavours of the cheese.
While Sottocenere is a unique and delightful pairing option, there are other semi-soft cheeses that can also complement Pinot Noir. For instance, Camembert, a French cheese with a creamy body and earthy tones, can be an excellent match. Its deeper, more intense, and slightly earthier flavour profile can add interest to the wine without being too dominant. Another option is Taleggio, an Italian washed-rind cheese that can be a little stinky but offers a robust experience when paired with Pinot Noir. Its grassy notes can surprisingly complement the wine's off-dry nature.
When creating a cheese platter to enjoy with Pinot Noir, consider including a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavours. In addition to Sottocenere, Camembert, or Taleggio, you might want to add a semi-hard cheese like Gouda, which has a rich flavour and smooth texture. You could also include some salty, cured olives, roasted almonds, or dried dark berries to complement the wine's fruit flavours and silky texture. By offering a range of cheeses and accompaniments, you can create a well-rounded and delightful tasting experience.
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Semi-hard cheeses like Comte
When it comes to selecting a cheese to pair with Pinot Noir, it's important to consider the wine's delicate and versatile nature. While it's a light red wine, it also has enough acidity to cut through creamy textures. This means that strong, stinky cheeses and fresh goat cheeses should be avoided as they can overpower the Pinot Noir.
In addition to Comte, other semi-hard cheeses that can pair well with Pinot Noir include Munster and Fontina. These cheeses go well with a full-bodied Californian Pinot Noir. If you're looking for a cheese with a similar texture to Comte but with a different flavour profile, Gouda is another option. This Dutch cheese is semi-hard and has a rich flavour and smooth texture. Medium-aged Gouda, in particular, is recommended as it has more flavour than younger varieties without being as pronounced as the older ones.
When serving Pinot Noir at a wine and cheese event, consider offering a selection of cheeses that include both soft and semi-hard varieties. This will allow your guests to experience the versatility of Pinot Noir in terms of food pairings. Remember, the key is to avoid cheeses that are too strong or overpowering, as they can take away from the delicate flavours of the wine.
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Frequently asked questions
The best cheese to pair with pinot noir depends on the origin of the wine. A light to medium-bodied pinot from Burgundy or Oregon pairs well with a creamy, earthy cheese like Camembert or Brie. A full-bodied pinot noir from California would work with a semi-hard cheese like Munster or Fontina.
Some other options include washed-rind cheeses like Taleggio, nutty medium-firm cheeses like Gruyere, and French sheep's milk cheese from the Basque region, such as Abbaye de Belloc.
Other than Munster and Fontina, you could try Comte, Gouda, or Sottocenere.
Some unusual options include Cambozola, a semi-soft German blue cheese, and Jasper Hill's Moses Sleeper, a rich cow's milk cheese from Vermont.
Yes, it's best to avoid strong, stinky cheeses and fresh goat cheeses as these can overpower the delicate flavour of pinot noir.
