Randy Chandler
Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a full-bodied red wine with a unique flavour profile that differs based on the region it is produced in. The wine is grown in regions like France, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, California, Argentina, and Italy. The flavour profile of Syrah can be influenced by several factors, including climate, soil, and winemaking techniques. When it comes to cheese pairings, a few factors come into play. The weight and flavour intensity of the cheese should complement the wine's body and flavour profile. For a lighter Syrah, a slightly lighter cheese with more acid can be chosen. Harder cheeses like Parmesan or Asiago, and stinky cheeses like Bleu cheese, pair well with a full-bodied Syrah. Semi-firm cheeses with intense flavours, such as Spanish sheep cheeses, also go well with Syrah.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Goat gouda, aged goat cheese, sheep's milk cheese, semi-firm raw sheep cheese, cheddar, blue cheese, hard cheese, smoked gouda, washed-rind cheese |
| Flavour | Nutty, salty, sharp, earthy, funky, pungent |
| Region | California, Australia, France, Spain, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Chile, Argentina |
| Food pairings | Bacon, olives, dark chocolate, cured meats, fig, pear, lamb, grilled eggplant, BBQ |
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What You'll Learn
Bleu cheeses like Gorgonzola or Stilton
When it comes to Syrah, a full-bodied, fruit-forward, and rich-tasting varietal, blue cheeses like Bleu Gorgonzola and Stilton are excellent choices. These strong, pungent, and creamy cheeses with intense flavour profiles are perfect for seasoned Syrah. The sharpness and saltiness of these blue cheeses complement the wine's ripe berry and candied fruit notes, creating a well-rounded and satisfying pairing.
Bleu cheeses, such as Gorgonzola and Stilton, offer a unique sensory experience when paired with Syrah. The saltiness of these cheeses accentuates the ripe berry notes in the wine, while the creaminess of the cheese provides a pleasant contrast to the wine's full body. This combination engages both taste and texture, making it a delightful pairing for those who appreciate complex flavour profiles.
Additionally, the intensity of the bleu cheese's flavour can stand up to the boldness of Syrah. The wine's deep violet colour and atypical sparkling nature contribute to its distinctive character, which is beautifully balanced by the forceful flavours of these cheeses. The saltiness of the bleu cheese can also enhance the perception of sweetness in the wine, highlighting the candied berry and plum notes that Syrah is known for.
When serving bleu cheeses with Syrah, consider a cheese board presentation. Accompany the cheeses with complementary flavours such as cured meats, fresh or dried fruits, and even dark chocolate. These additional elements can further enhance the pairing, creating a well-rounded and indulgent tasting experience.
For those who enjoy exploring unique flavour combinations, pairing bleu cheeses like Gorgonzola and Stilton with Syrah offers a delightful sensory journey. The interplay of salty, creamy, and fruity notes creates a complex and satisfying taste experience that showcases the best of both the cheese and the wine. So, the next time you open a bottle of Syrah, consider reaching for some bleu cheese to create a memorable and indulgent pairing.
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Hard cheeses like Parmesan or Asiago
When it comes to Syrah, a full-bodied, fruit-forward, and rich-tasting varietal, hard cheeses like Parmesan or Asiago are an excellent choice. These hard cheeses are known for their sharp, salty, and nutty flavours, which can range from mild to intense. The salty and nutty notes in these cheeses can complement the ripe berry and candied fruit flavours often found in Syrah, creating a well-rounded and satisfying pairing.
When selecting a hard cheese to pair with Syrah, look for those that have been aged, as the more extended ageing process tends to concentrate and intensify their flavours. This intensity can stand up to the boldness of Syrah, creating a harmonious match. Cheeses like Parmesan and Asiago, which are known for their granular texture and complex flavour profiles, fall into this category.
The sharpness of hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, can cut through the richness of Syrah, providing a pleasing contrast. Parmesan, in particular, has a savoury, umami-rich profile that can enhance the wine's depth of flavour. Its saltiness can also help bring out the sweetness of the wine's fruit notes, creating a dynamic tasting experience.
When serving hard cheeses with Syrah, consider the temperature and texture. These cheeses are best enjoyed at room temperature to allow their full flavour to emerge. In terms of texture, hard cheeses like Parmesan and Asiago can provide a satisfying bite, making them a good choice to accompany Syrah, which is known for its robust character.
When creating a cheese board to pair with Syrah, consider including other complementary elements. Cured meats, such as salami or prosciutto, can enhance the savoury notes in both the wine and cheese. Fresh or dried fruits, particularly those with a touch of sweetness, can also provide a nice contrast to the saltiness of the hard cheeses.
In summary, when looking to pair cheese with Syrah, hard cheeses like Parmesan or Asiago are an excellent choice. Their sharp, salty, and nutty flavours complement the fruit-forward nature of Syrah, creating a well-balanced and flavourful pairing. By considering the ageing, temperature, and texture of these cheeses, you can elevate your tasting experience and fully appreciate the synergy between these two culinary delights.
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Goat's cheeses like Midnight Moon or Arina
Goat cheeses like Midnight Moon or Arina are great options to pair with Syrah. Midnight Moon is an ivory-coloured goat cheese with a nutty and brown buttery flavour and a long caramel finish. It is aged for six months or more, and as it ages, protein crystals form, giving it a slight crunch. This cheese pairs well with plain crackers, fig jam, and seeded crackers or bread. It is also said to go well with red wine.
Arina is a goat gouda from Holland. Smoked gouda is a favourite cheese to pair with Syrah, as the smoke in the cheese goes well with the smoke on the wine. Other types of gouda also pair well with Syrah, as they are semi-firm cheeses with intense flavour profiles that are a good match for seasoned syrah.
In general, goat cheeses tend to have a mild, distinctive, and nutty flavour, making them a good option to pair with Syrah, a full-bodied, fruit-forward, and rich-tasting varietal. Syrah wines also tend to have ripe berry flavours, which are complemented by the flavours in goat cheeses.
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Sheep's milk cheeses like Abbaye de Belloc
Syrah is a full-bodied, fruit-forward, and rich-tasting varietal that pairs well with harder cheeses or stinky cheeses. Bleu cheeses like Gorgonzola or Stilton, and hard cheeses like Parmesan or Asiago are good options. Smoked Gouda is also a great choice, as the smoke in the cheese pairs well with the smoke in the wine. If you're drinking a lighter Syrah, you might want to opt for a slightly lighter cheese.
When it comes to sheep's milk cheeses, Abbaye de Belloc is an excellent choice to pair with Syrah. This French cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk in the Basque region of France, specifically in Puy-de-Dôme. It is aged for at least six months and has a firm, nutty, and rich interior with notes of toasted nuts and deep browned butter. Its mild, nutty flavour makes it a crowd-pleaser and pairs well with practically any style of Syrah. The washing of the curds with warm water and the low-temperature cooking of the curds help to give Abbaye de Belloc its characteristic sweetness.
Other sheep's milk cheeses that pair well with Syrah include Onetik Pilota, Vermont Shepherd, Trade Lake Cedar made by Love Tree Farm, and Serra de Estrela from Portugal. Ossau-Iraty, an ewe cheese from the southern Basque region of France, is another excellent choice with a diverse flavour profile that includes nutty and salty notes to enhance the right bottle of Syrah.
If you're looking for a more global perspective, semi-firm cheeses with intense flavour profiles are the best matches for seasoned Syrah. Old World cheddars, blues, and Spanish sheep cheeses with forceful flavours seem to balance the wine on the palate. Idiazabal, a semi-firm, raw sheep cheese from the northern Spain Basque region near the Pyrenees Mountains, is a great example of a Spanish sheep cheese that pairs beautifully with Syrah.
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Cheddar, especially Old World cheddars
Syrah is a full-bodied, fruit-forward, and rich-tasting wine with bold tannins and a dark, almost opaque colour. It is grown in multiple regions, including California, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, and Italy. The flavour profile of Syrah can vary depending on the climate, soil, and winemaking techniques used. For example, Australian Shiraz, produced in warmer climates, has a distinct flavour profile from French Syrah, resulting in unique food pairings.
When pairing cheddar with Syrah, consider an aged cheddar, as the sharpness of the cheese will complement the full-bodied nature of the wine. A sharp cheddar cheese board can be a delightful pairing with a glass of rich, full-bodied Syrah. If you're looking for a more specific recommendation, try Flagship, a robust, nutty cheese made by Beecher's Handmade Cheese in Seattle. The nutty flavour of Flagship pairs well with the ripe berries in a glass of fruit-forward Syrah.
In addition to cheddar, other cheese varieties that pair well with Syrah include blue cheese, goat gouda, and sheep's milk cheese. Blue cheese, with its creamy texture and pungent flavour, is an excellent option, especially with a medium-bodied Syrah. Goat goudas, such as Midnight Moon from California or Arina from Holland, can also be a good choice. Sheep's milk cheeses, like Abbaye de Belloc, are always a crowd-pleaser with their mild, nutty flavour that pairs well with any style of Syrah.
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Frequently asked questions
Some cheeses that go well with Syrah include Ossau-Iraty, a nutty and salty ewe cheese from the southern Basque region, and Idiazabal, a semi-firm, raw sheep cheese from the northern Spain Basque region. Other options include aged cheddars, blue cheese, and goat gouda.
A medium-bodied Syrah works best with blue cheese as it won't overpower the cheese.
A full-bodied Syrah pairs well with aged cheddars.
Syrah also goes well with cured meats, fig or pear slices, dark chocolate, grilled meats, and mushrooms.
