Andy Montoya
Wine and cheese is a timeless pairing, with endless combinations to explore. Merlot, a crowd favourite, is very friendly for pairings due to its smooth texture and moderate acidity. When it comes to cheese, the options are diverse, ranging from creamy and nutty to sharp and strong. So, what cheese pairs perfectly with Merlot? The answer may vary depending on personal preferences, but some classic choices include mature Cheddar, known for its intensity and slight sweetness, Camembert, a rich and creamy cheese that enhances the wine's fruity notes, and Gorgonzola, a sharp and creamy cheese with a hint of sweetness that balances the tannins and acidity of the Merlot. These cheeses, with their distinct flavours and textures, create exquisite combinations that elevate the tasting experience of both the wine and the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Gorgonzola, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Monterey Jack |
| Cheese texture | Creamy, silky, brittle |
| Cheese flavour | Mild, nutty, earthy, salty, sweet, spicy, fruity |
| Wine texture | Smooth |
| Wine acidity | Moderate |
| Wine tannin content | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Mature cheddar is best
When it comes to wine and cheese, there are endless combinations to explore. Merlot is a crowd favourite in the wine world, known for its smooth texture and moderate acidity. With its fruity notes of dark berries, red plums and forest fruits, it is very friendly for pairings.
Among the Cheddar cheeses, the best pairing with Merlot is mature Cheddar. Mature Cheddar is aged for 6 to 9 months, developing a more intense flavour profile. It is salty, slightly sweet, and has a brittle texture. The sharpness of mature Cheddar is mitigated by the silky tannins of Merlot, allowing the subtle nutty notes of the cheese to shine through. This creates an addictive blend, enhancing the wine's fruitiness and adding a hint of spiciness to its black fruit notes. The fat content of the cheese also helps to balance out the wine's tannins.
Mature Cheddar is a great choice for a Merlot pairing as it offers a contrast between the bold, sharp flavours of the cheese and the rich, smooth characteristics of the wine. The wine showcases the boldness of the cheese while highlighting its more subtle notes, creating a delightful sensory experience.
When creating a cheese board to pair with Merlot, consider including a variety of cheeses such as cow, sheep, and goat cheeses, as well as different types of Cheddar. Experimentation is key, and you can explore different combinations to discover your personal favourites. While mature Cheddar is an excellent choice, there is no single right answer when it comes to wine and cheese pairings—the most important thing is to enjoy the flavours that appeal to your palate.
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Blue cheeses like Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is a full-bodied cheese with a rich and complex taste. Its characteristic umami flavor, intense aroma, and crystalline texture make it stand out. These qualities make it an excellent match for the tannins of a Merlot, complementing its aromas and resulting in a pleasant pairing.
The prominent aroma and flavor of Gorgonzola are derived from the Penicillium mold. This complex flavor, along with its intense creaminess, can counterbalance the fruitiness of Merlot. The cheese's crystalline texture and high fat content also help to counterbalance the wine's tannins.
When pairing blue cheeses like Gorgonzola with Merlot, consider the wine's characteristics. Merlots are known for their smooth texture, moderate acidity, and fruity notes of forest fruits and red plums. The acidity of the wine intertwines with the cheese, resulting in a pleasant buttery flavor. The cheese's sharpness can also be mitigated by the wine's silky tannins, enhancing the fruitiness of the Merlot and bringing out subtle nutty notes.
Overall, blue cheeses like Gorgonzola offer a delightful pairing with Merlot, creating a complex and appealing sensory experience.
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Fruity notes of Camembert
When it comes to cheese, Camembert is a classic. With its rich and creamy texture and buttery, earthy flavour notes, it's no wonder that Camembert is a popular choice to pair with Merlot. The fruity notes of Camembert, in particular, can make for an interesting combination when enjoyed with this wine variety.
Camembert is a soft-ripened, unpressed and naturally drained cow's milk cheese, moulded into flat round discs. It has a snowy white rind with a glossy, straw-coloured paste that is plump and smooth. The cheese is ripened for at least two weeks, developing a rich and creamy texture and a full flavour that is fruity and mildly tangy with earthy mushroom notes. The distinctive aroma of mushrooms and subtle braised cabbage undertones are key characteristics of this cheese.
The process of making Camembert is an art in itself. It begins with fresh raw milk from Norman cows, which is high in fat and rich in proteins and vitamins. The milk is heated and combined with a natural rennet, and the curds are carefully ladled into individual cheese moulds. After draining, the cheeses are salted and placed in a drying room, where the mould rind forms. The ripening period typically lasts around twelve days, followed by additional ageing for a few more days to enhance the flavour.
When pairing Camembert with Merlot, the cheese acts as an enhancer for the wine. The richness of the cheese coats the mouth, minimising the tannins and acidity of the Merlot. This allows the fruity, dark berry flavours of the wine to truly shine. The full-bodied nature of Merlot, with its richness and complexity, finds a delightful complement in the creamy texture and slight tang of Camembert.
To fully appreciate the pairing, it is recommended to remove the cheese from the fridge 30 minutes to one hour before serving. This allows the cheese to reach room temperature, ensuring the flavours and aromas are at their most vibrant. Whether you choose to enjoy it with or without the rind is a matter of personal preference, but including the rind will intensify the flavour and add a unique textural dimension to your tasting experience.
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Mild, snackable Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or used in a variety of dishes. It is often recommended as a safe cheese option for migraine sufferers due to its low tyramine content. When paired with Merlot, a full-bodied red wine, the cheese's mild flavour can either enhance the wine or be overpowered by it, depending on the specific characteristics of the wine and cheese in question.
When selecting a Merlot to pair with Monterey Jack, consider the wine's region and production method, as these factors can influence its flavour profile. For example, a Merlot from Bordeaux may have different characteristics than one from Italy or Chile. Additionally, the ageing process and specific grape variety used can also affect the flavour of Merlot, which in turn will impact how it pairs with the cheese.
To create a harmonious pairing, look for a Merlot with fruity, dark berry flavours that will complement the sweetness of the Monterey Jack. The richness of the cheese will coat your mouth, reducing the perception of tannins and acidity in the wine. This can either enhance the flavour of the cheese or make it seem milder in comparison.
When serving Merlot and Monterey Jack together, consider including other complementary foods to create a well-rounded tasting experience. For example, the wine and cheese could be enjoyed alongside a selection of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, crackers, or charcuterie.
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Creamy, mild Brie
When it comes to wine and cheese, the right pairing can elevate the experience. Merlot, a crowd-pleasing wine, is a wonderful choice to serve with creamy, mild Brie. This soft cheese, which originated in the Brie district of northern France, has a complex flavour profile that includes buttery and nutty notes. Its pale colour and chalky, grey rind make it a visually appealing addition to any cheese board.
Brie's versatility allows it to be enjoyed in a variety of ways, whether fresh or baked, paired with fruit or savoury accompaniments. When paired with Merlot, the wine's fruity, dark berry flavours are enhanced, creating a delightful sensory experience. The creaminess of Brie complements the smoothness of Merlot, while the slight chalkiness of the cheese adds a textural contrast.
For those who prefer their Brie young, the mild, buttery flavours combine harmoniously with the fruity notes of Merlot. As Brie ages, its flavour intensifies, developing a more robust and nuttier character. A riper Brie will bring out the subtle nuances of a Merlot, showcasing the complexity of both the cheese and the wine.
When selecting Brie to serve with Merlot, consider the intensity of flavour you desire. Younger Brie offers a milder taste, while more mature Brie provides a stronger, nuttier profile. Additionally, the production methods and milk used can impact the flavour. Traditional Brie is crafted from unpasteurised cow's milk, but goat's milk variants are also available, offering a unique twist on this classic cheese.
Whether you opt for a classic French Brie or explore the emerging options from Somerset and Wisconsin, pairing it with Merlot is a delightful choice. The combination of creamy Brie and fruity Merlot creates a balanced sensory journey, making it a perfect match for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
Merlot is very friendly for pairings due to its smooth texture and moderate acidity. Some good cheeses to serve with Merlot include mature Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Brie, Camembert, and Monterey Jack.
Mature Cheddar is aged for 6 to 9 months and has a salty, slightly sweet, and brittle texture. The silky tannins of Merlot mitigate the sharpness of the cheese, bringing out the subtle nutty notes of the Cheddar, and enhancing the fruitiness of the wine.
Despite its sweetness, Gorgonzola has a prominent aroma and flavour derived from Penicillium mould. This complex flavour, along with its intense creaminess, can counterbalance the fruitiness of Merlot, resulting in an appealing pairing.
