Bushra Griffith
Sparkling wine and cheese are a classic pairing, and there are many options to choose from. The complex aromas in the wine and the equally complex tastes from the cheese produce a bubbly explosion of flavour in the mouth. While Champagne is the ideal pairing for cheese, other sparkling wines, such as French Cremant, Italian Prosecco, Spanish Cava, and German Sekt, are also excellent choices. The dryness of the wine is an important factor in the pairing, with Brut Champagnes being the driest, and extra brut being the best pairing for stronger cheeses. Triple crème cheeses pair best with dry wines like Prosecco and Cremant d'Alsace, while soft creamy white or goat's cheeses pair well with quality Prosecco. Harder dry cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano pair well with Champagne, while Camembert and Brie are also good choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft creamy white cheese | Quality Prosecco (DOCG / Asolo) |
| Goats cheese | Quality Prosecco (DOCG / Asolo) |
| Hard dry cheese | Champagne / Trento Doc / Franciacorta |
| Soft creamy blue cheese | Cremant Brut / Cava extra Brut |
| Triple crème | Prosecco, French cremants, Cava, Champagne |
| Alpine cheese | Champagne |
| Aged mountain cheeses | Champagne |
| Parmigiano Reggiano | Lambrusco |
| Baby Swiss cheese | Champagne, Prosecco |
| Epoisses | Full-bodied Champagne, fruity sparkling rose |
| Washed rind cheese | Sparkling wine, French Champagne |
| Brie | Champagne |
| Blue cheese | Asti spumante, Prosecco |
| Camembert | Champagne, Prosecco |
| Gruyere | Sparkling wine, Champagne |
| Parmesan | Aged sparkling wine, Champagne, Cremant, Cava |
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What You'll Learn
Triple crème cheeses with dry sparkling wines
Triple crème cheeses are best paired with dry sparkling wines. The acidity in dry sparkling wines cuts through the creaminess of triple crème cheeses, creating a perfect balance.
Triple crème cheeses pair well with Prosecco, particularly dry versions, as well as French cremants, such as the rosé Cremant d'Alsace. Cremants are sparkling wines from outside the AOC Champagne region that are made in the traditional Champagne method. They offer fantastic value and excellent quality.
When it comes to Champagne, the complex aromas in the wine and the complex tastes from the cheese produce a bubbly explosion of flavour in the mouth. While genuine Champagne must come from the Champagne district in France, other sparkling wines can also be excellent choices for pairing with triple crème cheeses. These include Italian Prosecco, Spanish Cava, German Sekt, and French Cremant.
If you're looking for specific Champagne and triple crème cheese pairings, consider the following:
- Delice de Bourgogne, a French triple crème cheese, pairs well with a dry sparkling wine like Champagne or a French Cremant.
- For a slightly different option, Vermont Creamery's Cremont, a double crème cheese from the US, can be paired with a dry sparkling wine.
- Camembert, another triple crème cheese, pairs well with Champagne. Its woodsy, mushroomy flavour complements the yeasty and fruity flavours found in sparkling wines, especially Champagne.
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Soft creamy white or goats cheese with Prosecco
Soft, creamy white or goats' cheese is a perfect match for Prosecco. The Capricorn Somerset Goat Cheese is a popular choice, paired with Prosecco Asolo 'Cuvée Indigene 2016' from Loredan Gasparini. The cheese has a smooth, creamy taste sensation, which, when combined with the Prosecco, leaves a creamy, ripe, golden fruit taste. The wine's bubbles and acidity cut through the fat and salt of the cheese, cleansing the palate and leaving a super-creamy, smooth aftertaste.
Goats' cheese, or Chèvre in French, is known for its versatility. It can be crumbly or creamy, mild or tangy, coated with herbs or ash, or wrapped in grape leaves. The tang of goats' milk softens with maturation, giving way to subtle hints of rural mushrooms and cream. The Capriccio Somerset Goat Cheese is a fine example of this, with its complex flavours pairing well with the full-flavoured Prosecco.
White mould goats' cheese, such as Goat Brie or Castello Double Crème White with Goat's Milk, is another take on this classic combination. These cheeses have a smooth and creamy texture, with hints of mushrooms and a sharp aroma. They can be paired with honey, sliced pear, and walnuts, and their earthy flavours are a perfect match for the crisp bubbles of Prosecco.
Soft, creamy white cheeses, such as Camembert or Brie, are also excellent choices to pair with Prosecco. These cheeses, with their rich, creamy textures and flavours, are a delightful match for the bubbles and fruitiness of the wine. Camembert, in particular, has a seductive yet not overpowering flavour, with woodsy, mushroomy notes that pair beautifully with the yeasty, fruity flavours of Prosecco.
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Hard dry cheese with Champagne
When it comes to cheese and sparkling wine, hard dry cheese is best served with champagne. While sparkling wines can be paired with a variety of cheeses, champagne is particularly well-suited for hard, dry varieties. The bubbles in champagne help to break down the acids and butterfat in cheese, making it an excellent choice for denser, more aged cheeses.
One recommended pairing is a hard, nutty Swiss Gruyere with dry champagne. The cheese enhances the fruity notes in the champagne, while the champagne refreshes the palate between bites. This pairing is a classic example of how the right combination of cheese and wine can create a delightful culinary experience.
Another option for hard dry cheese with champagne is a salty English cheddar. The sharpness of the cheddar is beautifully balanced by the tartness of dry and acidic champagne. This pairing showcases how a "simple" cheese like cheddar can be elevated when paired with the right bubbly beverage.
For those who enjoy Italian cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, acidic, and dense cheese that pairs well with Lambrusco, a mildly sparkling red wine from the same region. The acidity of the cheese is complemented by the slight sweetness of the Lambrusco, creating a harmonious match.
When serving hard dry cheese with champagne, it is important to consider the overall presentation of the cheese board. Styling the cheese board is essential to enhance the dining experience visually. Experimenting with different combinations of cheese and sparkling wine is also encouraged, as there are no rigid rules. The complex aromas and flavours of champagne, along with the unique characteristics of hard dry cheeses, create a bubbly explosion of flavours that is sure to impress.
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Sweet and nutty cheeses with sparkling wine
Sweet and nutty cheeses are a delight when paired with sparkling wines. The light touch of the sparkling wine elevates the cheese, highlighting its sweet and nutty qualities. The nutty, slightly caramelized, and slightly onion-y characteristics of these cheese styles make for an excellent pairing with traditional French Champagne and Spanish Cava. Be prepared for the cheese crystals to dance on your palate with the addition of bubbles, releasing fruity notes in both the cheese and the wine.
When it comes to specific cheese and sparkling wine pairings, here are some options to consider:
- Gruyere is an excellent choice to serve with sparkling wine. You can offer it as part of a cheese plate or get creative with fondue, bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches, or a Gruyere Quiche.
- Baby Swiss cheese, which is buttery and nutty, pairs well with a variety of sparkling wines, including Champagne and Prosecco.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano, also known as Parmesan, is a dense and acidic cheese. It pairs beautifully with Lambrusco, a mildly sparkling red wine from the same region.
- If you're looking for a unique twist on Parmigiano-Reggiano, try Podda Classico, a mixed-milk cheese from Sardinia.
- For a classic pairing, serve a creamy French blue cheese like Fourme D'Ambert with a Cremant de Bourgogne. Alternatively, you can opt for the Italian Gorgonzola Dolce.
- Triple crème cheeses are perfect partners for Prosecco, especially dry versions. You can also pair them with French cremants, such as the rosé Cremant d'Alsace, where the acidity in the dry wines cuts through the creaminess of the cheese.
- Camembert has a seductive flavour that pairs beautifully with the yeasty and fruity flavours of sparkling wine, especially Champagne.
- If you're feeling indulgent, Epoisses is a full-flavoured, washed-rind cheese that can be paired with a full-bodied Champagne or a fruity sparkling rosé heavy on Pinot Noir.
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Blue cheese with Asti spumante
Asti Spumante is a sweet and refreshing sparkling wine from Italy, made in the Asti region of Piedmont. It is known for its light, fruity flavour and effervescent bubbles, with notes of ripe peaches, apricots, and honeysuckle. The wine is made from Moscato Bianco grapes, which are harvested in late August or early September, and has a long history dating back to ancient times.
When serving blue cheese with Asti Spumante, consider the different types of blue cheese available. For example, a soft and creamy blue cheese like Cambozola Triple Cream Blue or a more pungent and crumbly variety like Humboldt Fog. The texture and intensity of the blue cheese can be varied to create a unique pairing experience.
Additionally, the quality and style of the Asti Spumante can be explored. As a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine, Asti Spumante is produced according to strict standards, ensuring its authenticity and quality. The wine's sweetness can range from drier brut styles to sweeter demi-sec or doux versions, offering a spectrum of choices to complement the blue cheese.
Overall, the pairing of blue cheese with Asti Spumante offers a delightful combination of flavours and textures, making it a perfect choice for a celebratory occasion or a simple indulgent moment.
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Frequently asked questions
Triple crème pairs well with dry Prosecco, French cremants, and Champagne.
Brie, Gruyere, Camembert, and Alpine cheese are all good options to serve with champagne.
Soft creamy blue cheese, such as Fourme D'Ambert or Gorgonzola Dolce, pairs well with Cremant Brut and Cremant de Bourgogne.
Besides champagne, cremant, and prosecco, you can also pair cheese with other sparkling wines like Spain's cava, Italy's Asti spumante, and California sparkling wine.
Blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola, pairs well with the sweetness of Asti spumante.
