Cheese And Pink Moscato: Perfect Pairing Partners

Pink Moscato is a semi-sparkling wine made from mostly Muscat grapes with a touch of Merlot to give it a ruby pink colour and a light strawberry taste. It is famous for its sweetness, with typical flavours including Meyer lemon, mandarin orange, pear, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. When it comes to cheese, medium to firm cow's and sheep's milk cheeses are said to pair excellently with this variety of Moscato. However, as a general rule, sweet wines go well with salty and creamy cheeses, so soft, creamy cheeses like goat cheese, burrata, and mozzarella are also good options.

Go for medium to firm cheeses, like sheep and cow's milk cheese

When it comes to cheese, pink Moscato is quite versatile. While it goes well with soft, creamy cheeses, it also pairs excellently with medium to firm cheeses, especially those made from sheep and cow's milk.

Medium to firm cheeses have a more pronounced flavour and a denser texture than their softer counterparts. This extra robustness means they can stand up to the fruit character of pink Moscato without being overwhelmed. The acidity of the wine will also help to cut through the richness of these cheeses, creating a delightful contrast.

Sheep's milk cheeses, for example, tend to have a slightly tangy, nutty, or herbal flavour that can complement the fruity and floral notes of pink Moscato. These cheeses often have a firm texture, making them ideal for pairing with a fuller-bodied wine like Moscato.

Cow's milk cheeses are also a great choice for pairing with pink Moscato. Cheddar, a cow's milk cheese, is a particularly good option. Its sharp, creamy flavour and crumbly texture make it a nice counterpart to the sweetness and acidity of the wine. Other cow's milk cheeses, such as Gouda or Monterey Jack, can also be excellent choices, depending on their specific characteristics.

When choosing a cheese to pair with pink Moscato, consider the specific flavour profiles of both the cheese and the wine. Look for complementary or contrasting flavours that will enhance your enjoyment of both. For example, a nutty cow's milk cheese might bring out the floral notes in the wine, while a tangy sheep's milk cheese could provide an interesting contrast to the wine's sweetness.

Additionally, take into account the texture of the cheese. A medium to firm cheese should have enough substance to stand up to the wine without being too heavy or overwhelming. The acidity of the Moscato will help to balance out the richness of the cheese, creating a pleasant and satisfying pairing.

Try soft, creamy cheeses like goat's cheese, burrata, and mozzarella

When it comes to cheese, pink Moscato is an extremely versatile wine. A bottle of Moscato is a natural choice for appetiser pairings, but it is most preferred alongside dessert or a plate of cheese. The key to pairing wine with food is balance. Since Moscato is a sweet wine, it goes well with foods that have the opposite flavour—salty, bitter, spicy, and even sour. Thus, this wine is nicely paired with aromatic foods, cured meats, and soft, creamy cheeses.

Goat's cheese stands out as the best Moscato cheese pairing. Fresh, creamy goat's cheese with bloomy rind (also known as chèvre) really complements the acidity and fruity flavour of Moscato. The acidity of Moscato is an ideal way to cut through the slight heaviness of the goat's cheese. This is especially true when the wine is of the Moscatel Rosé or Sárgamuskotály variety. Goat's cheese has a soft texture and fairly neutral taste that is just asking to be impressed upon by the acidic character of a citrusy Moscato. It is the right choice with a great Moscato wine, which makes for an effective pairing that doesn't influence the flavour of the wine too much—rather, it allows both the wine and the cheese to express their own flavours to the fullest.

Burrata is another excellent choice. This soft, fresh cheese has a creamy texture, buttery flavour, and milky aroma. Burrata is usually served with crusty bread and prosciutto, but in the absence of a bottle of Puglian Primitivo, a glass of cool Moscato is a great option.

Mozzarella is another classic semi-soft cheese from Italy. Made from cow's milk, it has a stringy texture, milky flavour, and fresh aroma. A plate of fresh mozzarella is a great idea for the beginning of the evening, especially when served with Moscato.

Choose salty, creamy cheeses with high acidity

When it comes to pairing cheese with pink Moscato, it's important to remember that the key to pairing wine with food is balance. Since Moscato is a sweet wine, it goes well with foods that have opposing flavours – salty, bitter, spicy, and even sour. Therefore, medium to firm cheeses will pair excellently with pink Moscato. Try sheep and cow's milk cheeses.

When choosing salty, creamy cheeses with high acidity to pair with pink Moscato, consider the following:

Goat's cheese is an excellent choice to complement the acidity and fruity flavour of Moscato. The acidity of the wine cuts through the slight heaviness of the cheese, allowing both the wine and the cheese to express their own flavours fully. Goat's cheese has a soft texture and a fairly neutral taste that pairs well with the citrusy, acidic character of Moscato.

Another option is Camembert, a soft cheese with a smooth and chalky texture, bloomy rind, and pale-yellow colour. Camembert has an earthy aroma and a milky, buttery flavour that can stand up to the fruit character of Moscato without being overwhelmed.

Brie, known as the "queen of cheeses", is also a good choice. It is soft and buttery, with a bloomy rind and creamy colour. Its mild fruity and nutty flavour, as well as its strong aroma, make it a good match for a chilled glass of Moscato.

For something a little different, try Munster, a creamy, semi-soft cheese that pairs well with the fruitiness of Moscato. Pepper Jack, a semi-soft creamy cheese flavoured with rosemary, sweet peppers, garlic, and spicy jalapenos, is another interesting option. The buttery taste of Pepper Jack pairs exceptionally well with Moscato.

Pair with soft, spicy cheeses like Pepper Jack

When it comes to cheese, pink Moscato is a versatile wine with several suitable pairings. One option is to go for soft, spicy cheeses like Pepper Jack. This semi-soft creamy cheese, which originated in California, is a great match for pink Moscato. Flavoured with rosemary, sweet peppers, garlic, and spicy jalapenos, Pepper Jack has a buttery taste that complements the wine's sweetness. The wine's aromatic and slightly sweet characteristics balance out the spiciness of the cheese, creating a unique and memorable taste experience.

Another option for a soft, spicy cheese to pair with pink Moscato is Jalapeno Cheddar. This cheese, with its subtle kick of spice, is a perfect match for the wine's fruity and floral notes. The spice in the cheese will be especially emphasised by the wine's lower alcohol content, making for an intriguing contrast of flavours.

If you're looking for a more classic pairing, soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert are also excellent choices to accompany pink Moscato. These cheeses can hold their own against the fruit character of the wine without overwhelming its delicate flavour. The acidity of the Moscato also helps to cut through the richness of these cheeses.

For a more unusual pairing, try Murazzano, a soft Italian cheese with a spicy flavour and mild aroma. As the cheese ages, its flavour intensifies, making it a particularly good match for the light and sparkling profile of pink Moscato.

Blue cheese is a good match for pink Moscato

When pairing blue cheese with pink Moscato, consider the intensity of both the cheese and the wine. A milder blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola, is a good match for the lighter, fruity flavours of the Moscato. The saltiness of the cheese will bring out the sweetness of the wine, while the wine's acidity will help to balance the richness of the cheese.

If you prefer a stronger, more mature blue cheese, opt for a fuller-bodied Moscato with more intense flavours. The wine's sweetness will help to temper the sharpness of the cheese, while its fruity notes will provide a pleasant contrast to the cheese's salty, pungent character.

In addition to blue cheese, other cheese options that pair well with pink Moscato include goat's cheese, Brie, Camembert, and mozzarella. These cheeses have a softer texture and a more subtle flavour that won't overpower the delicate taste of the wine. The acidity of the Moscato will also help to cut through the slight heaviness of these cheeses, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable pairing.

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