Wine And Cheese: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Wine and cheese are two of life's greatest culinary pleasures. While there are endless pairing possibilities, there are some basic guidelines to follow. For example, try not to pair a strong wine with a mild cheese, as this will result in an unfavourable taste experience. It's also important to consider the qualities of the wine and cheese and whether they match. Soft cheese, for instance, pairs well with sparkling wine or light white wine, while sharp or aged cheese goes best with full-bodied wine.

Soft cheese and sparkling wine

When it comes to specific types of soft cheese and sparkling wine, there are several options to consider. For a classic combination, pair a soft cheese like Brie with a drier bubbly, such as brut Champagne. The high acidity of the Champagne cuts through the creaminess of the Brie wonderfully. Alternatively, if you're looking for something a little more unusual, try pairing a triple crème cheese like Brillat-Savarin with a Cava. The coarser bubbles of the Cava make a great companion for the ultra-silky butteriness of the cheese.

If you're looking for a sparkling wine to pair with a wider selection of soft cheeses, Prosecco is a safe bet. Prosecco is known to love Parmesan, but it also goes well with other soft cheeses such as Camembert and Brie. For a true indulgence, try pairing a creamy blue cheese like Cambozola with a sweet, sparkling Moscato d'Asti. The sweetness of the wine will complement the saltiness of the blue cheese.

When creating your own pairings, keep in mind that like goes with like. Pairing wines and cheeses from the same region is often a safe bet. Additionally, don't be afraid to experiment! Everyone has their own taste preferences, so offer a variety of options and let your guests decide what they enjoy best.

Salty cheese and sweet wine

Salty cheeses, such as goat's cheese or blue cheese, are best paired with sweet wines. The saltiness of the cheese accentuates the sweetness of the wine.

Moscato and Sauternes are known to be excellent pairings with these salty, savoury cheeses. For example, the Roquefort Cheese, a salty, sheep's milk blue cheese, is a perfect match for the honeyed sweetness of Sauternes.

If you're looking for a wine and cheese pairing that's a little less common, try a sweet dessert wine like Vin Santo, Jurançon, or Recioto de Soave with a salty blue cheese. These wines will complement the sharpness and tang of the cheese.

Another tip is to pair salty cheeses with off-dry wines like Gewürztraminer or Riesling. The saltiness of the cheese will be a nice contrast to the slight sweetness of these wines.

When creating a cheese board, it's important to keep in mind the different flavour profiles of the cheeses and wines. Try to avoid pairing a strong-flavoured wine with a mild cheese, as one flavour profile may dominate the other. It's also a good idea to offer a variety of wines and cheeses to let your guests discover their own favourite combinations.

Fresh, light cheese and crisp, light wine

Fresh, lighter cheeses go well with crisp, lighter wines. Fresh cheeses are typically soft and rindless, and are not aged, resulting in a mild, slightly tangy flavour. Examples include goat's cheese, farmer's cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, stracchino, boursin, and very young Selles sur Cher.

Crisp, light wines include young bottlings such as Albariño, Soave, Pinot Blanc, Muscadet, Vermentino, Verdejo, Arneis, and young Chardonnay. These wines are dry, with a high acidity, and are not oaked.

When pairing fresh, light cheese with crisp, light wine, consider the following:

• Fresh goat's cheese pairs well with a crisp, high-acid, unoaked Chardonnay.
• Fresh goat's cheese also goes well with Sauvignon Blanc, especially those from New Zealand, California, or Washington State, due to their freshness and grassy, herbaceous, citrusy, and minerally characteristics.
• Other fresh cheeses, such as mascarpone, stracchino, and boursin, can be paired with the same wines as goat's cheese, as well as with off-dry wines like Gewürztraminer or Riesling.
• For a cheese board with a variety of fresh cheeses, a versatile wine like Riesling is a good choice, as it comes in a range of styles, from dry and crisp to viscous and sweet.
• If you want to include a sparkling wine, Prosecco is a good choice, as it is known to love Parmesan.

Remember, when pairing wine and cheese, it is generally recommended to taste the wine before the cheese for the optimum effect. Additionally, like some wines, many cheeses taste better at room temperature instead of super cold.

Sharp cheese and full-bodied wine

Sharp, aged cheeses are full of rich, fatty, and savoury flavours. These bold flavours need to be matched with a bold wine that can stand up to the sharpness and richness of the cheese. A wine with good tannins is a good choice, as the tannins clear fat and protein off the palate, making them a perfect match for sharp, aged cheeses with high fat and protein content. Examples of wines with good tannins include Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrahs, and Nebbiolos.

When it comes to specific wine and cheese combinations, an aged cheddar pairs well with a bold and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. The sharpness of the cheddar is balanced by the lip-smacking tannins of the wine, creating a perfect harmony of fat and flavour. Another option is to pair a sharp, salty cheese like aged Gouda with a sweet wine. A sweeter Riesling, for example, pairs well with the saltiness of an aged Gouda.

In addition to the type of wine and cheese, other factors can also influence the pairing. For example, it is recommended to always taste the wine before the cheese for the optimum effect. Additionally, like some wines, many cheeses taste better at room temperature instead of super cold.

Hard cheese and bold wine

Hard cheeses are the product of aging and are quite firm, breaking into crumbles or shards. They tend to have nutty and complex savoury notes. Some are fairly pungent and salty. When it comes to wine, hard cheeses call for bold, full-bodied wines to stand up to their bold flavours.

• Manchego and Amontillado Sherry: Manchego is a hard sheep's milk cheese with pronounced gamy flavours and tang, balanced by brown butter notes. Amontillado Sherry, a type of fortified wine, is a bold choice that will complement the intensity of Manchego.
• Pecorino Toscano and Chianti Classico: Pecorino Toscano is a hard sheep's milk cheese with a firm texture and salty, sharp flavour. Chianti Classico, made primarily with Sangiovese grapes, has herbaceous qualities and high tannins that make it a perfect match for this salty cheese.
• Aged Cheddar and Cabernet Sauvignon: Cheddar is a well-known hard cheese with a bold and sharp flavour. Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine with robust tannins and intense fruit flavours, making it a popular choice to pair with aged cheddar.
• Smoked Gouda, Aged Cheddar, or Manchego and Red Zinfandel: Red Zinfandel is a bold and sweet wine with lots of cherry and brambleberry flavours and a hint of spicy smokiness. Smoked Gouda, aged cheddar, or Manchego are harder cheeses that can stand up to the bold and sweet nature of this wine.
• Gruyere and Vin Jaune de Savoie: Gruyere is a semi-hard to hard cheese with a rich and firm texture. Vin Jaune de Savoie is a bold, rustic wine that will complement the intensity of Gruyere.

Remember, when pairing wine and cheese, it is essential to consider the textural contrast. Heavier, denser cheeses like bigger and bolder wines, while lighter, fresher cheeses go well with crisp, lighter wines. Additionally, always taste the wine before the cheese for the optimum effect, and consider serving both at room temperature to enhance their flavours.

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