Malbec And Cheese: A Perfect Pairing Guide

Malbec is a bold red wine with strong fruity aromas and flavours of plum, black cherry, dark berries, herbs, tobacco, and sometimes chocolate. It is a very popular wine that has gained traction in recent years, and is often served with food. The wine's strong flavours can sometimes be overpowering, so finding the perfect cheese pairing is essential. When pairing Malbec with cheese, opt for strong-tasting, rich cheeses like soft or semi-firm cow's milk cheese, or a stronger goat's cheese. Hard matured cheddars and blue cheese are also excellent choices.

Blue cheese

When pairing blue cheese with Malbec, consider the following:

• Blue cheese is a good match for the fruitier notes of Malbec, such as black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and plum. These flavours bring out the complexity of blue cheese.
• The bold flavours of both blue cheese and Malbec mean that neither will dominate the palate. This creates a harmonious balance between the sharpness of the cheese and the robustness of the wine.
• Blue cheese is also a good match for Malbec because of its acidity. Malbec can be very sweet, and the acidity of blue cheese can help to balance this.
• When creating a cheeseboard to pair with Malbec, include fruits such as black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and plums, as these are flavours commonly found in the wine.
• If you want to test whether a blue cheese will pair well with Malbec, try pairing it with the fruit notes associated with the wine.
• Blue cheese pairs well with other foods that go well with Malbec, such as steak, turkey, pork, lamb, and mushrooms.

Hard matured cheddar

When choosing a hard matured cheddar to pair with Malbec, it is best to opt for a cow's milk variety. This is because the fruity notes of the wine, including black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and plum, are best complemented by the creamy, nutty notes of cow's milk cheese.

The key to a successful pairing of hard matured cheddar and Malbec is balance. The wine and cheese should enhance each other, with neither being too dominant. The acidity and tannins of the wine, combined with the bold, fruity flavours, make it a good match for the strong, sharp taste of the cheese.

When serving hard matured cheddar with Malbec, it is best to opt for a classic presentation. A simple cheeseboard with a selection of complementary fruits, such as cherries, berries, and plums, would be an excellent choice. Alternatively, the cheese could be served as part of a charcuterie board, alongside meats such as salami, or other appetizers like garlic fingers.

Soft or semi-firm cow's milk cheese

When it comes to soft or semi-firm cows' milk cheese, there are several options that pair well with Malbec. The key is to look for strong-tasting, rich cheeses to stand up to the bold, fruity flavours of the wine. Here are some specific suggestions:

Firstly, hard, matured Cheddar pairs beautifully with Malbec. The wine's fruity notes complement the complexity of a good Cheddar, and the strong flavours of both elements prevent either from dominating the palate. In addition, blue cheese is an excellent pairing with Malbec. The fruitier notes in the wine help bring out the complexity in the blue cheese, and again, the strong flavours of both elements create a pleasant balance.

If you're looking for something a little milder, Monterey Jack, Provolone, and even melted Swiss cheese can also work well with Malbec. These cheeses have a shorter finish, which complements the shorter finish of the wine. In general, soft, pungent cheeses with herb-driven flavours are a good match for Malbec.

For a vegetarian option, grilled mushroom caps or other rich mushroom dishes can be a surprising but tasty pairing with Malbec. The earthy flavours of the mushrooms complement the wine's fruity and smoky notes.

Goat's cheese

When it comes to pairing Malbec with goats cheese, it's important to consider the tasting notes of the wine. Malbec has strong fruity aromas, with notes of black cherry and dark forest fruits like blackberries and blueberries, as well as more complex notes of cocoa, coffee, and chocolate. With such bold flavours, it's a delicate art to pair this wine with rich cheeses. The bold notes can easily overpower lighter cheeses, but fortunately, Malbecs have medium acidity and tannins so while full-bodied, they don't completely overpower the food.

Goats cheese is known for its strong, tangy flavour, and it is a good match for Malbec. When pairing Malbec with goats cheese, opt for a stronger tasting variety if possible. Harder, mature goats cheeses will work well, as will softer, stronger tasting goats cheeses. The fruitier notes in the Malbec will help bring out the complexity in the cheese, and the strong flavours of both will prevent either from dominating the palette.

If you want to test how well a goats cheese will pair with Malbec, try pairing the cheese with the fruit notes associated with the wine. Black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and plums are commonly found in Malbecs, so get yourself some of these fruits to try pairing with your cheeses. You can even serve these fruits on a cheeseboard along with your Malbec.

While it may seem unconventional, serving cherries with a cheeseboard is definitely worth trying. You can also experiment with other fruits that have the same flavour profile as Malbec, such as blackberries, blueberries, and plums. These fruits will complement the strong, tangy flavour of goats cheese and provide a unique and unexpected twist to your cheeseboard.

In addition to fresh fruit, there are other foods that can enhance the pairing of Malbec and goats cheese. Consider serving the cheese with roast red peppers, beetroot, or asparagus. These flavours will complement both the cheese and the wine, creating a harmonious flavour combination.

Manchego, Taleggio, or blue cheeses such as Stilton

When it comes to selecting cheeses to pair with Malbec, it's important to consider the wine's tasting notes. Malbec boasts strong fruity aromas, with notes of black cherry and dark forest fruits like blackberries and blueberries, as well as more complex hints of cocoa, coffee, and chocolate. The wine's bold flavours can easily overpower lighter cheeses, so it's crucial to opt for strong-tasting, rich varieties.

Manchego, a nutty cheese, is a great pairing with Malbec. Its strong flavour can stand up to the wine's bold notes, and the combination creates a delightful contrast. For a unique experience, try Manchego Mac N Cheese with Malbec. The creamy texture of the dish complements the wine's full-bodied nature, while the nutty flavour of the cheese enhances the fruity aromas of the Malbec.

Taleggio, an Italian semisoft washed-rind cheese, also pairs well with Malbec. It has a strong aroma but a comparatively mild flavour with a fruity tang. The fruitiness of the Taleggio plays well with the fruity notes in the wine, creating a harmonious combination.

Blue cheeses, such as Stilton, are another excellent choice to accompany Malbec. The fruitier notes in the wine help bring out the complexity of the cheese, and the strong flavours of both elements prevent either from dominating the palate. The saltiness of the blue cheese can also balance the wine's sweetness.

When creating a cheese board to pair with Malbec, consider including some of the fruits commonly found in the wine, such as black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and plums. These fruits can enhance the tasting experience and provide a delightful contrast to the cheeses.

Frequently asked questions