Cheese's Perfect Pair: Exploring Flavorful Companions

Cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of flavours to create mouth-watering combinations. While there are no set rules for pairing cheese, certain flavours, textures and colours can be combined to please the senses and the appetite. The right pairings can drastically change the taste of the cheese, enhancing and improving the eating experience. So, what flavours go well with cheese?

Wine and cheese pairings

Wine and cheese are a match made in heaven. The right wine can complement the flavour of the cheese, enhancing the eating experience.

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to consider the intensity of both. For example, a strong, aged cheese with intense flavour will be best paired with a wine with a higher percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). A pinot noir, for instance, pairs well with aged cheeses with a more intense flavour.

Tannin-rich reds are best suited for strong and aged cheeses, as the bitterness can often overpower more delicate flavours. White wines, on the other hand, are lower in tannins and pair well with lighter cheeses, as well as some dry, sharp varieties. A Chardonnay, for instance, pairs well with an aged parmesan or a creamy Colby jack.

Sweet wines are the perfect match for unique, eclectic cheeses. The sweetness of the wine balances out the funkiness of the cheese. Sparkling wines, on the other hand, go well with soft and creamy cheeses. The higher acidity and carbonation of the wine act as a palate cleanser for soft and sticky cheeses.

If in doubt, firm and nutty cheeses are versatile and complement both red and white wines.

• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Cabernet Sauvignon: The savoury, fruity notes of the Cabernet Sauvignon complement the sharpness of the cheddar cheese.
• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Merlot: The dry, dark fruit or herbal notes of a classic Merlot pair well with the sharp and tangy flavour of the cheddar.
• Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Zinfandel: The blackberry and peppery notes of the Zinfandel make it a great choice to pair with the bold flavour of seriously sharp cheddar.
• Garlic Herb Cheddar Cheese & Sangiovese or Chianti: The Italian wine pairs beautifully with the garlic and herb cheddar, bringing to mind the flavours of Tuscany.
• Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Red Blend: Medium-bodied red blends have a range of flavours, from smoky to sharp, making them a versatile choice to pair with seriously sharp cheddar.
• Colby Jack Cheese & Chardonnay: The fresh and fruity notes of a Chardonnay enhance the creaminess of Colby Jack cheese.
• Monterey Jack Cheese & Sauvignon Blanc: The bright, light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc with hints of citrus is a great match for the freshness and milder qualities of a Monterey Jack cheese.
• Mild Cheddar Cheese & Pinot Grigio: The higher acidity of a Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully with creamy, milder cheeses like mild cheddar.
• Pepper Jack Cheese & Moscato: The sweet and fruity flavours of a Moscato complement the smooth and spicy flavours of a Pepper Jack cheese.
• Habanero Cheddar Cheese & Riesling: The combination of acid, sugars, and fruit in a Riesling nicely offset the zestier, spicier cheeses like habanero cheddar.
• Pepper Jack Cheese & White Blend: A bright white blend is a good choice to pair with more complex and flavourful cheeses like a spicier Pepper Jack.
• Monterey Jack Cheese & Champagne: A dry to off-dry sparkling wine or Champagne is a delightful pairing with Monterey Jack Cheese.
• Colby Jack & Sweet Rosé: The sugars in a sweet rosé are the perfect complement to full-flavoured or spicy cheeses like Colby Jack.
• Mild Cheddar Cheese & Dry Rosé: The bright, fruity flavours and acidity in a drier rosé make it a versatile pairing option for mild cheddar cheese.

Beer and cheese pairings

Beer and cheese are a perfect match. The tannins in wine can dull your palate, but beer's effervescence slices through the mouth-coating fats, refreshing your palate for another bite. The key to pairing beer and cheese is balancing the flavour intensity.

Wheat Beer with Aged Goat Cheese

The bright, citrusy notes of a wheat beer complement the tanginess of an aged goat cheese.

Sour Ale with Fatty Cheese

The funky acidity of a sour ale is balanced by the fat in indulgent, buttery cheeses like double-cream brie, mascarpone, or burrata.

American Lager with Cheese Spread

A simple, satisfying combination.

American Pale Ale with American Cheddar

The slight sweetness of the malts in an American pale ale goes well with the tanginess of an American cheddar.

IPA with Clothbound Cheddar

The barny flavours of an earthy clothbound cheddar mellow the bitter hops in an IPA, bringing out the fruity notes.

Farmhouse Ale with Alpine Cheese

Aged alpine-style cheeses have complex, lasting flavours that range from nutty to floral to grassy. A farmhouse ale has a funky, earthy flavour that can stand up to these intricacies and refresh the palate.

Belgian Ale with Washed Rind Cheese

The yeasty, banana bread flavours of a Belgian ale complement the rich, custard texture of a washed rind cheese like Époisses, Taleggio, or Grayson.

Amber Ale with Aged Sheep's Milk Cheese

The sweet, malty notes of an amber ale create a praline pecan effect when paired with a salty, nutty sheep's milk cheese.

Stout with Blue Cheese

The bold, robust character of a blue cheese can stand up to the chocolatey notes of a stout. This salty-sweet combination is perfect for dessert.

Scottish-Style Ale with Pepper Jack Cheese

The phenolic character of a Scottish-style ale provides a bridge to the smoky and spicy flavours of pepper jack cheese. The malty sweetness also envelops the vegetal spiciness.

German-Style Pilsner with Feta

Feta is a creamy, tangy, and briny cheese with a dominant but not overpowering flavour. A light and interesting German-style pilsner is a great complement.

Belgian-Style Witbier or Blonde with Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is creamy, spreadable, and fresh with a distinct, tart, sweet, and earthy flavour. A Belgian-style witbier or blonde is light but full of character, making it a great match for goat cheese.

Doppelbock with Aged Gouda

An aged gouda has nutty and caramelly notes, which are complemented by the rich malt, dried dark fruit, and deep caramel flavours of a doppelbock.

Barleywine with Blue Cheese

A barleywine is an amazing classic pairing with blue cheese. The earthy and nutty malt flavours will match the cheese, while the sweetness will provide flavour contrast.

Imperial Stout with Colston-Bassett Stilton

The fruity and roast malt flavours of an imperial stout bring out a chocolatey side to a stilton.

Berliner Weisse, Pils, IPA, or Dry Stout with Havarti

Havarti is a sweet, creamy, acidic, and buttery cheese with a long finish. A dry, acidic, and highly carbonated beer will cut through the creaminess.

British or American Bitter, Stout, Porter, Irish-Style Red, Brown, or Scottish Ale with Cheddar

Cheddar is a versatile, mild to extra sharp cheese. The aged versions are bitter, pungent, earthy, creamy, sweet, and sometimes hazelnutty. British bitters, stouts, porters, Irish-style reds, browns, and Scottish ales are classic pairings.

Lager with Vermont Sharp Cheddar

A sharp, smooth, and approachable Vermont sharp cheddar pairs well with a malt-forward, easy-drinking lager for a refreshing combination.

Pale Ale with Extra Sharp Cheddar

The light body and subtle spicy hop notes of a pale ale play well with the bold, naturally-aged flavour of an extra sharp cheddar.

IPA with Seriously Sharp Cheddar

The bitter, citrusy notes of an IPA are a great contrast to the bold flavour of a seriously sharp cheddar.

Amber Ale with White Oak Cheddar

The malty, caramel notes of an amber ale balance the subtle sweetness and smooth texture of a white oak cheddar.

Pilsner or Lager with Alpine Cheddar

A lighter pilsner or lager brings a refreshing bite to the creamy texture of a nutty and smooth Alpine cheddar.

Stout with Pepper Jack Cheese

The spicy kick in pepper jack cheese balances with the smooth, toasted malt notes of a darker, full-bodied stout, porter, or smoked beer.

Gose with Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar

The tang and pucker of a sour or gose beer is a great foundation for the classic sharp cheddar flavour and slightly crumbly body of a farmhouse reserve cheddar.

Fruit/vegetable and cheese pairings

Fruit and Cheese Pairings

The fresh taste of crisp fruits goes great with cheese. Most fruits naturally pair well with cheese, but it's best to avoid citrus fruits as they can overpower the flavour of the cheese. Here are some fruit and cheese pairings to try:

• Habanero Cheddar Cheese & Mango: The gentle and sweet acidity of mango goes great with cheddar. Try the mango plain, in a salsa, or relish.
• White Oak Cheddar Cheese & Grapes: For a quick and easy snack or appetiser, serve White Oak Cheddar slices on a cracker with grapes.
• Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Plums: Vermont Sharp's slight acidity and buttery tang pair well with the juicy sweetness of plums.
• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Pears: Extra Sharp Cheddar's citrusy tang is the ideal companion for the sweet, tender juiciness of pears.
• Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Peaches: Seriously Sharp's bold flavour is the perfect complement for the slightly tart sweetness of peaches.
• Lite50 Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Strawberries: Lite50 Sharp Cheddar's creamy, savoury flavour is the perfect match for the tangy sweetness of ripe strawberries.

Vegetable and Cheese Pairings

The fresh taste of crisp vegetables also goes well with cheese. Here are some vegetable and cheese pairings to try:

• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Eggplant: Extra Sharp's citrusy tang perfectly complements the cool flavour and mild acidity of eggplant.
• Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar Cheese & Pickled Radishes: Farmhouse Reserve's sharp, sophisticated flavour pairs perfectly with vibrant, tangy pickled radishes.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Roasted Red Peppers: Vermont Sharp's slight acidity and full-flavoured, buttery tang goes great with the tender, subtle sweetness of roasted red peppers.
• Lite50 Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Portobello: Lite50 Sharp Cheddar's creamy smoothness is pure heaven paired with the earthy meatiness of Portobellos.
• Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Sun-dried Tomatoes: Seriously Sharp's bold flavour is the perfect match for the intensely sweet tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes.
• Monterey Jack Cheese & Kimchi: Pair Kimchi with Monterey Jack on a cracker for an appetiser with a perfectly sour and spicy kick.

Herb and cheese pairings

Herbs are a less common but delicious pairing with cheese. The best way to decide which herbs go with which cheese is to determine the strength of the herb's flavour. Something refreshing like lemongrass would be better suited to a light ricotta cheese than a hard, strongly flavoured cheese like pecorino.

• Pepper Jack Cheese & Oregano: Pepper Jack combines beautifully with the earthy, bitter notes of oregano.
• Alpine Cheddar Cheese & Thyme: Alpine Cheddar's Swiss-inspired flavour is accented perfectly by thyme's gentle earthiness and subtle citrus.
• Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Sage: The complexity and slight nuttiness of Seriously Sharp Cheddar pair well with the savoury, pine-like flavours of sage.
• Monterey Jack Cheese & Dill: Monterey Jack's creamy, mild nature pairs well with the slightly bitter, herbaceous flavour of dill.
• Lite50 Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Garlic: The creamy texture and buttery mouthfeel of Lite50 Sharp Cheddar is a perfect match for the strong, pungent flavours of garlic.
• Horseradish Cheddar Cheese & Rosemary: The intense flavour and luscious creaminess of Horseradish Cheddar are accented by the slightly minty, peppery taste of rosemary.
• American Cheese & Dill, Thyme, Basil, or Oregano: As a more neutral cheese, American cheese can be made more light or robust depending on the herbs used to flavour it.
• Blue Cheese & Chervil or Sorrel: These herbs are strong enough to stand up against the strong flavour of blue cheese without detracting from it.
• Brie & Chives, Basil, Parsley, or Tarragon: The gentle, creamy flavour of Brie is well-complemented by these herbs.
• Chevre & Dill: The gentle flavour and texture of Chevre are nicely complimented by the lightness of dill.
• Cottage Cheese & Caraway: The interesting flavour of caraway is a lovely pairing with the soft, creamy flavour of cottage cheese.
• Feta & Basil: Feta is strong and briny, while basil is woodsy and fresh, creating a very complementary pairing.
• Gouda & Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, or Sage: Gouda is a versatile cheese that can stand up to these strongly flavoured herbs.
• Mozzarella & Basil and/or Rosemary: Mozzarella and basil are one of the most iconic cheese and herb pairings out there, and are combined in a classic caprese salad.
• Ricotta & Thyme or Chervil: A perfect match.
• Swiss Cheese & Dill or Chives: Swiss cheese is intensely flavourful and needs an equally flavourful herb to pair with.

Remember, there are no wrong answers when it comes to pairing cheese with herbs. The best pairings are highly subjective, so feel free to experiment and find your own favourite combinations!

Chocolate and cheese pairings

Chocolate and cheese are both delicious and complex, and they can taste even better when paired together. They share over 73 flavour compounds, creating a symphony of tastes that complement each other and awaken your taste buds.

Tips for Pairing

• Portion your pairings: Chocolate can sometimes be overpowering, so serve about twice as much cheese as chocolate.
• Focus on quality: Opt for a few high-quality pairings, with three to five combinations being ideal.
• Experiment with different types: Try various cheeses, from soft and mild to full-flavoured and hard, alongside different chocolates, including milk, white, and dark.
• Select wisely: Choose chocolates from renowned chocolatiers and cheeses from reputable shops or delis.
• Consider textures and flavours: Look for complementary textures and flavours to enhance your sensory experience.

Specific Pairing Suggestions

• Parmesan pairs beautifully with dark chocolate, such as Guittard Etoile du Nord 64% dark chocolate.
• If your chocolate has nutty notes, pair it with aged, firm, nutty cheeses.
• For slightly savoury or funky chocolate, reach for a washed rind cheese to enhance those flavours.
• Dark and slightly metallic chocolate goes well with a creamy blue cheese.
• Triple cream cheese pairs well with dark chocolate, as the cream adds a sweet, buttery accent to the astringent, slightly bitter quality of the chocolate.
• Spreadable fresh and bloomy goat cheeses, such as Vermont Creamery's Bijou or Coupole, pair best with 70% to 80% cocoa. Bright, herbaceous, and tart chocolates work well here.
• Young to medium-aged triple cream cheeses, like Delice de Bourgogne, pair well with 80% to 90% cocoa or milk chocolate. Dark chocolate with a hint of minerality or milk chocolate's creaminess complements these cheeses.
• Medium-bodied washed rind cheeses, such as Langres or Taleggio, pair best with 60% to 80% cocoa. Funky, earthy, herbaceous, and spicy chocolates are great choices.
• Dense, nutty cheeses like Comte, Gruyere, or Farmhouse Cheddar pair best with 75% to 85% cocoa. Signature nutty and roasted chocolate flavours are ideal here.
• All types of blue cheese, from Stilton to Rogue River Blue, pair well with 75% to 90% cocoa. Notes of minerality, flint, and nutty flavours in chocolate complement these cheeses.
• Spicy cheese pairs well with orange dark chocolate. For example, Beechers New Woman Cheese, infused with Jamaican Jerk seasoning, complements the fruity, citrusy notes in Theo Chocolate Orange 70% Dark Chocolate.
• Peppercorn-studded cheese, like Beecher's Marco Polo Cheese, pairs excellently with sea salt dark chocolate, like Theo Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate, creating a "salt and pepper" flavour combination.
• Blue cheese, though not to everyone's taste, pairs surprisingly well with ginger dark chocolate, such as Theo's ginger chocolate with candied ginger, resulting in a sweetly warming, spicy combination.
• Camembert cheese can be added to drinking chocolate or hot chocolate. The heat will melt the cheese, and it will absorb the cocoa flavours, creating a rich drink with a cheesy surprise at the bottom.

Frequently asked questions