Frederic Melton
Wine and cheese are a classic combination, and Merlot is a crowd-pleasing wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses. The tannins in Merlot help to cut through the fat in the cheese, creating a pleasing contrast on the palate. When it comes to choosing a cheese to pair with Merlot, you have a range of options, from sharp Cheddar to light and creamy Brie. The right cheese will depend on the blend of Merlot, which can be oak or plum forward, with notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Gorgonzola, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar |
| Taste profile | Sharp, creamy, rich, light, tangy, complex |
| Tannins | Less dryness, fewer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Acidity | Medium to high |
| Body | Medium to full-bodied |
| Palate | Notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, vanilla |
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What You'll Learn
Sharp cheddar is a crowd-pleaser
Merlot is a crowd-pleasing wine, and when it comes to cheese, you want something that will please the crowd too. Sharp cheddar is a favourite for many, and its bold, sharp flavours contrast beautifully with the rich and smooth characteristics of a merlot. The wine will showcase the cheese's sharp and nutty flavours, and the two are a match made in heaven.
Cheddar is a versatile cheese, and its sharpness can cut through the wine's tannins and acidity, creating a delightful balance. The wine's fruity notes of cherry and plum will be enhanced by the cheese, and the richness of the wine will be a perfect match for the cheese's bold flavour profile.
When it comes to choosing the right cheddar, a harder variety is best. A garlic herb cheddar is a wonderful option, as the garlic notes will complement the wine's fruity and earthy tones. A seriously sharp cheddar is another excellent choice, as its strong flavour will stand up to the wine's body and character.
For a fun twist, you could try a few different cheddars with your merlot, perhaps a sharp vintage cheddar, a garlic and herb cheddar, and a classic mild cheddar. This will create an exciting tasting experience, and your guests can discover their favourite combinations.
So, if you are looking for a cheese to pair with merlot, sharp cheddar is a crowd-pleasing, delicious option that will enhance your wine-tasting experience.
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Brie is a surprising match
Merlot is a medium- to full-bodied wine with notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla. It has fewer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it more food-friendly and compatible with a wider range of cheeses. When it comes to choosing a cheese to pair with Merlot, you have a lot of options. From sharp Cheddar to light and creamy Brie, there's something for everyone.
While pairing Merlot with Brie might seem unconventional, it is actually a surprisingly good match. Brie is a mild and creamy cheese that can range from slightly chalky to decadently gooey, with a strong flavour. The subtle tanginess and rich creaminess of Brie complement the full-bodied nature of Merlot, creating a delightful contrast of flavours. The creaminess of Brie also helps to balance out the tannins and acidity in Merlot, making it a more harmonious pairing.
The key to a successful wine and cheese pairing is finding the right balance between the two. The acidity and tannins in Merlot can cut through the fat in the cheese, enhancing the flavours of both. In the case of Brie and Merlot, the creaminess of the cheese softens the wine's tannins, while the subtle tanginess of the cheese adds a layer of complexity to the pairing.
Additionally, the fruitiness of Merlot, with its notes of cherry and plum, can be accentuated by the mildness of Brie. The cheese's subtle tanginess can also bring out the wine's hints of chocolate and vanilla, creating a unique and intriguing flavour profile. Overall, the combination of Brie and Merlot showcases how two seemingly contrasting elements can come together to create a delightful sensory experience.
So, if you're looking for a unique and surprising cheese and wine pairing, consider Brie and Merlot. While it may not be the most obvious choice, the subtle tanginess and rich creaminess of Brie complement the full-bodied nature of Merlot, creating a harmonious and memorable flavour combination.
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Camembert enhances the wine
Merlot is a medium- to full-bodied wine with notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla. It is known for its crowd-pleasing qualities and is considered more food-friendly than Cabernet Sauvignon due to its lower tannin content and even presentation of tannins and acidity.
Camembert is a rich and creamy cheese with buttery, earthy flavour and a soft, bloomy rind. It is a versatile choice, pairing well with a variety of wines, beers, and other foods. When it comes to Merlot, Camembert is an excellent choice as it enhances the wine, bringing out the fruity, dark berry flavours of the Merlot.
The rich and creamy texture of Camembert coats the mouth, reducing the perception of tannins and acidity in the Merlot. This allows the fruitier notes of the wine to shine through. The creaminess of the cheese also complements the full-bodied nature of Merlot, creating a harmonious pairing that highlights the best qualities of both the cheese and the wine.
In addition to enhancing the wine, Camembert itself benefits from being paired with Merlot. The wine's acidity and tannins help to balance the richness of the cheese, preventing it from becoming overwhelming. The slight dryness of Merlot also provides a pleasant contrast to the creaminess of Camembert, creating a well-rounded and satisfying sensory experience.
When serving Camembert with Merlot, it is essential to allow the cheese to come to room temperature. Cold temperatures mute the flavours and aromas of Camembert, while room temperature releases its full potential. Removing the cheese from the fridge 30 minutes to one hour before serving is recommended to ensure the best tasting experience.
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Gorgonzola is full-bodied
Merlot is a medium- to full-bodied wine with notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla. Its low dryness and even presentation of tannins and acidity make it ideal for pairing with a variety of cheeses. One such cheese that is often recommended to be paired with Merlot is Gorgonzola.
Gorgonzola is a full-bodied Italian blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk. It is named after the town of Gorgonzola, Milan, where it is believed to have originated in the 9th century. The cheese is known for its sharp, creamy taste with a hint of sweetness that offsets the pungent properties common in blue cheeses. The creaminess and slight sweetness of Gorgonzola marry well with Merlot, while the sharp bite it can have at the end prevents the cheese from getting lost in the tannins or acidity of the wine.
Gorgonzola is typically aged for three to four months, during which metal rods are inserted and removed to create air channels that allow mould spores to grow and cause the cheese's characteristic veining. The length of the ageing process determines the consistency of the cheese, with younger Gorgonzola being softer and creamier, and more mature versions being firmer and stronger in flavour. The cheese is available in two primary variations: Dolce, which has a more delicate flavour and buttery consistency, and Piccante, which has a more pungent flavour and a firm, crumbly texture.
When it comes to pairing Gorgonzola with Merlot, the full-bodied richness and complexity of the cheese complement the wine's flavour profile. The slight acidity of the cheese can also help to enhance the fruity, dark berry flavours of Merlot. In addition, the creaminess of Gorgonzola can help to minimize the tannins and acidity in the wine, creating a harmonious pairing that showcases the best qualities of both the cheese and the wine.
Overall, the combination of Merlot and Gorgonzola makes for a delightful pairing that highlights the full-bodied nature of both the wine and the cheese. The balance of flavours and textures in this pairing creates a sensory experience that is sure to please the palate.
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Merlot is food-friendly
Merlot is a crowd-pleasing wine with less dryness and fewer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it more compatible with a variety of foods and cheeses. Its notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla, along with its medium- to full-bodied nature, make it an ideal companion for many cheeses.
When it comes to cheese, Merlot's versatility shines. From sharp Cheddars to creamy Bries, Merlot can complement a wide range of cheese profiles. The tannins in Merlot help cut through the fat in the cheese, creating a delightful sensory experience. The sharpness of Cheddar, for instance, contrasts beautifully with the rich smoothness of Merlot, allowing the wine to highlight the cheese's bold flavours, including its subtle nutty notes.
For those who prefer a softer cheese, Brie is an excellent choice. Its mild, slightly chalky, or gooey texture, along with its strong flavour, pairs surprisingly well with Merlot. The subtle tanginess and rich creaminess of Brie create a harmonious match with the wine's full body. Another similar option is Camembert, which enhances the wine's fruity, dark berry flavours. Its rich, creamy texture coats the mouth, reducing the perception of tannins and acidity in the wine.
If you're feeling adventurous, consider pairing Merlot with Gorgonzola. This full-bodied cheese is known for its sharpness, creaminess, and hint of sweetness, which beautifully offsets the pungency of blue cheeses. Gorgonzola's complexity and richness in taste make it a perfect match for the Merlot, ensuring that the cheese's sharp bite doesn't get lost in the wine's tannins and acidity.
So, whether you're a fan of sharp Cheddars, creamy Bries, rich Camemberts, or adventurous Gorgonzolas, Merlot is the perfect wine to accompany your cheese of choice. Its food-friendly nature and well-balanced profile make it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option for any occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
Merlot's medium- to full-bodied profile and notes of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla make it a versatile wine that pairs well with many cheeses. Some recommended cheeses include:
- Cheddar: The bold, sharp flavours of Cheddar contrast nicely with the rich and smooth characteristics of a Merlot.
- Brie: The subtle tanginess and rich cream flavours from the cheese pair surprisingly well with a full-bodied Merlot.
- Camembert: This rich and creamy cheese will enhance the wine and make the fruity, dark berry flavours shine.
The tannins present in Merlot help to cut through the fat in the cheese, making the combination pleasing to the palate. The acidity in Merlot can also help balance out the sharpness of the cheese.
Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide range of cheeses, from light and creamy to sharp and bold. However, you may want to avoid pairing it with very strong or pungent cheeses that could overwhelm the wine's more subtle flavours.
