Cheese And Wine: The Perfect Pairing Guide

Wine and cheese are a classic culinary pairing, but with so many varieties of each, finding the perfect match can be a challenge. The good news is that there are some simple tricks to help you find the right combination. For example, you could try pairing wine and cheese from the same region, or matching the intensity of the wine and cheese, with strong cheeses going well with strong wines, and soft, creamy cheeses pairing better with delicate-tasting wines. Another tip is to pair like with like when it comes to age, depth, and complexity, although there are plenty of cases where opposites attract. For instance, young and soft cheeses with silky textures and creamy bodies pair well with young and lively wines, while old, bold, and rich wines are better suited for aged cheeses with rich, fatty, and savoury flavours.

Soft cheeses like brie and camembert go well with sparkling wines like champagne

Champagne's bright acidity and lively bubbles create a delightful contrast with the rich creaminess of brie, resulting in a tasty combination. The traditional method sparklers' brioche flavour also adds a touch of toastiness. Similarly, the bubbles in prosecco and cava can also cut through the fat of soft cheeses, making them surprisingly versatile with food.

When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, it is generally recommended to pair lighter wines with younger, creamier cheeses. Soft cheeses with silky textures and creamy bodies, which are usually still full of moisture, pair especially well with young and lively wines that are full of fruit, have good acidity, and spirited aromas. This makes sparkling wines an excellent choice for soft cheeses.

Additionally, sparkling wines are a fail-safe pairing option for cheese, as they work with almost all types. They serve as an excellent palate cleanser, bringing out the best in both hard and soft cheeses. Therefore, soft cheeses like brie and camembert are excellent choices to pair with sparkling wines like champagne.

Hard cheeses like cheddar and parmesan pair well with full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon

When it comes to wine and cheese, there are some classic pairings that can elevate the dining experience. While personal preference plays a role, certain types of cheese complement certain types of wine exceptionally well.

Hard cheeses, such as cheddar and parmesan, are known for their rich, fatty characteristics. These cheeses have strong, intense personalities that require a bold wine to stand up to their flavour profiles. Full-bodied red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, are an excellent match for hard cheeses. The mouth-drying tannins found in Cabernet Sauvignon balance the fattiness of the cheese, creating a harmonious pairing. The bold flavours of both the wine and cheese match each other, ensuring neither overwhelms the other.

Cheddar, a farmhouse variety made by select Somerset companies, boasts rich, nutty flavours. These flavours are best complemented by robust, full-bodied red wines. A Syrah-based Southern Rhône, such as Château Courac, or a silkier Barossa Shiraz of similar age, are ideal pairings. These wines ensure the cheese's flavour does not dominate the pairing. For an aged parmesan, a big Barolo or a full-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon would be a perfect match.

When it comes to wine and cheese, it is essential to consider the intensity and complexity of both elements. Hard cheeses tend to have stronger flavours due to the ageing process, and thus, they pair well with more robust and full-bodied wines. The tannins in the wine help to cut through the fat and protein of the cheese, creating a balanced tasting experience.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the region of origin can also play a role in wine and cheese pairings. For example, a Spanish wine like Rioja or Cava pairs well with Manchego cheese, as they share a similar regional profile. Similarly, a French Champagne or sparkling wine complements creamy French cheeses like brie or camembert.

Blue cheese and wine: sweet wines like port complement the saltiness of blue cheese

Blue cheese and port wine is a classic combination that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. The saltiness of blue cheese is perfectly complemented by sweet wines like port. The sweetness of the wine offsets the bitterness of the veining in blue cheese, creating a delightful contrast of flavours and textures.

Port wine, known for its full body, bold character and sweetness, pairs exceptionally well with pungent and salty blue cheese. The complex, strong flavours of blue cheese, such as Stilton or Shropshire, stand up to the sweetness and boldness of port. This combination, though old-fashioned, offers a stirring sensory experience that has endured the test of time.

The tradition of pairing blue cheese and port originated in England, combining imported Portuguese port wine with village-made blue cheese. This pairing has become a beloved classic, with the saltiness of the cheese enhancing the sweetness of the wine, creating a harmonious interplay of flavours.

When serving blue cheese and port, it is advisable to enjoy the wine first, allowing guests to savour its unique characteristics before introducing the cheese. This sequence ensures a complete taste experience, as the wine's astringency and bitterness are suppressed, allowing its other flavours to shine through.

In addition to port, other sweet wines like Madeira, Moscato, Sauternes and sweet whites can also complement blue cheese. The choice of wine depends on personal preference and the specific type of blue cheese being served. Whether it's a classic pairing of port and blue cheese or an experimental combination, the key lies in finding a balance between the sweetness of the wine and the saltiness of the cheese.

Washed-rind cheese and Muscadet or Sauvignon Blanc

Washed-rind cheese is known for its strong, pungent, and salty flavours. These cheeses are typically aged for long periods of time, developing a distinct smell in the process. Although your fridge may not agree, washed rind cheese actually offers subtle, mild yeast notes. The subtle flavours of the cheese pair perfectly with mild dry white wines, such as Muscadet or Sauvignon Blanc. When regionally paired, red wine also works well with washed-rind cheeses.

Muscadet is a mild, dry, white wine that is perfect for washed-rind cheese. It is typically produced in the Loire Valley region of France and is made from a blend of different grape varieties, including Melon de Bourgogne, Chardonnay, and Folle Blanche. Muscadet wines are known for their crisp, dry, and refreshing qualities, with flavours of citrus, green apples, and minerals. They are often aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve their fresh, fruity flavours.

Sauvignon Blanc is another excellent choice for washed-rind cheese. This white wine is known for its crisp acidity and herbaceous notes, which can help to cut through the heaviness of washed-rind cheese. Sauvignon Blanc typically exhibits flavours of tangy lemon and cool minerality, which can complement the subtle yeast notes found in washed-rind cheese.

When pairing wine with washed-rind cheese, it is important to consider the intensity of both the cheese and the wine. Washed-rind cheeses are typically strong and pungent, so they pair well with wines that have a delicate flavour profile. Lighter, crisp, and dry white wines like Muscadet and Sauvignon Blanc are ideal choices to complement the subtle flavours of washed-rind cheese without overwhelming them.

In addition to Muscadet and Sauvignon Blanc, other wine options that can pair well with washed-rind cheese include sparkling wines such as Prosecco, Cava, or Champagne. The high carbonation levels in sparkling wine make it an excellent palate cleanser, enhancing the nutty and fruity notes of the cheese while cutting through its fattiness.

Goat's cheese and Sauvignon Blanc

Goats cheese and Sauvignon Blanc is a classic pairing. Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine with vibrant acidity and notes of tangy lemon and cool minerality. The wine's citrus and mineral flavours complement the creaminess of goat's cheese, bringing out its nutty and herbal flavours. The wine's acidity also helps to cut through the heaviness of the cheese.

Goats cheese is the pride of the Loire Valley in France, so pairing it with wines from this region is a great option. Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, or Saint Bris are all excellent choices. These wines tend to be more acidic, mineral-driven, and citrusy, which pair well with the earthy and creamy flavours of goat's cheese.

If you're looking for a red wine to pair with goat's cheese, Cabernet Franc is a good option. The Loire Valley produces lighter styles of Cabernet Franc with herbaceous notes and tart acidity that complement the soft and impressionable nature of the cheese. Other red wines from cool climates, such as Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah, can also be good choices due to their higher acidity and delicate flavours.

In addition to Sauvignon Blanc, other white wines that pair well with goat's cheese include Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and dry Riesling. Crisp, dry rosé, especially Provençal rosé, is also a great pairing, especially for summer picnics.

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