Cheese And Pinot Noir: Perfect Pairing Partners

Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine with fruity notes of berries and cherries and earthier notes of herbs and spices. It is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses. The best pairings complement the wine's delicate flavours without overwhelming them. Strong, stinky cheeses and fresh goat's cheeses should be avoided for this reason. Instead, washed-rind cheeses like Taleggio, nutty medium-firm cheeses like Gruyere, and softer cheeses like Brie and Camembert are ideal. Sheep's milk cheeses are also a good match, as are smoked cheeses.

Goat's cheese

When it comes to pairing goat's cheese with Pinot Noir, the wine's delicate grape can be overwhelmed by fresh goat's cheese. However, there are some goat's cheeses that can pair well with this light-bodied red wine. For example, Mt. Sterling Raw Milk Goat Cheddar or Redwood Hill Farm Aged Goat Cheddar can be paired with Pinot Noir to create an earthy combination. Another option is to pair a cool-climate Syrah with Murray's Goat Gouda or L'Amuse Brabander Goat Gouda.

Sheep's milk cheese

One such cheese that is known to pair well with Pinot Noir is Abbaye de Belloc, a French sheep's milk cheese from the Basque region. This cheese has a mild, nutty, and complex flavour with a dense, rich, and creamy texture. It has a distinctive lanolin aroma and a taste that resembles burnt caramel. The cheese is aged for four to ten months, resulting in a semi-hard texture. The Benedictine monks in the Pays Basque region of Aquitaine, France, first produced this cheese using local sheep's milk and a cheese-making process that dates back 3,000 years.

Another option is a sheep's milk cheese from Spain, similar to Manchego, with a salty, buttery, and nutty flavour. This cheese pairs well with the fruity notes of Pinot Noir. The unique flavour of this cheese is attributed to the breed of sheep used for milk production, including the small, scruffy Churra and the Castilian sheep.

In addition to these specific examples, there are several other sheep's milk cheeses that can be explored, such as Beenleigh Blue cheese, Castelo Branco cheese, and Pecorino di Carmasciano, to find the perfect pairing for your palate.

Gruyere

As Gruyere is a washed-rind cheese, it is also a good match for light red wines like Beaujolais. It also pairs well with medium-bodied Zinfandel, which balances the cheese's richness with its red fruit flavours and touch of spice.

When it comes to white wines, Gruyere calls for a refreshing variety with lighter fruit flavourings and zesty acidity. A full-bodied Chardonnay with citrus and green fruit notes is a good choice, as its creamy texture and the cheese's velvety mouthfeel create a harmonious pairing. The crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, with its herbaceous and citrusy character, is another option that invigorates the flavours of Gruyere, resulting in a light yet satisfying combination.

Blue cheese

Pinot Noir is a light red wine with fruity notes of berries and cherries, and earthier notes of herbs and spices. It is a delicate wine, so it is important not to overpower it with a strong-flavoured cheese.

When pairing blue cheese with Pinot Noir, it is important to choose a lighter blue cheese that will not overwhelm the delicate flavours of the wine. A good option is Cambozola, a semi-soft German blue cheese that is extremely creamy, with some blue veins throughout. The sharp sweetness of this cheese will contrast beautifully with the smoothness of the Pinot Noir.

Another option for pairing blue cheese with Pinot Noir is to choose a blue cheese that has been smoked. The smoky flavour of the cheese will match the tartness and fruitiness of the wine. Smoked blue cheeses can be found in a variety of hardnesses, from soft to hard, so it is important to choose one that will not overpower the wine.

Avoiding strong, stinky cheeses

When pairing cheese with a Pinot Noir, it's best to avoid strong, stinky cheeses. This is because Pinot Noir is a light red wine with delicate flavours that can be easily overpowered.

Pinot Noir is a versatile wine, but it's important to remember that it is a fairly delicate grape without the boldness of heavier reds. Therefore, it's best to avoid strong, stinky cheeses that will overwhelm the subtle qualities of the wine.

Strong, stinky cheeses tend to have intense flavours that can dominate the more subtle notes of Pinot Noir. Instead, opt for cheeses that complement the wine's delicate flavours, such as washed-rind cheeses like Taleggio, or nutty, medium-firm cheeses like Gruyere. These cheeses have a more delicate taste that won't overpower the wine.

Another option is to choose a less cheesy cheese, such as soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. These cheeses have a fruity, mild, and slightly nutty flavour that ensures your mouthful of Pinot Noir isn't overtaken by a cheesy taste. They also have a buttery, soft texture that pairs well with the wine's silky texture.

If you're looking for a blue cheese to pair with Pinot Noir, Cambozola is a good option. It's a semi-soft German cheese that is extremely creamy, with some blue veins throughout. The sharp sweetness of this cheese contrasts beautifully with the smoothness of the wine.

In general, it's best to avoid strong, stinky cheeses when pairing with Pinot Noir, as they can be too overwhelming. Instead, opt for more delicate, nutty, or soft cheeses that will complement the wine's flavours without overpowering them.

Frequently asked questions