Pinot Grigio Pairing: The Best Cheeses To Compliment The Wine

When it comes to cheese, Pinot Grigio is a versatile wine with plenty of pairing options. Its delicate, neutral flavour profile means it pairs well with sweet, soft, and mild cheeses made from cow's or sheep's milk. These include mozzarella, mild cheddars, brie, gouda, and slightly sweet gorgonzola and feta.

Mozzarella

A classic example of a dish that combines these two ingredients is a Caprese salad. This Italian dish features fresh mozzarella, sun-ripened tomatoes, and fresh basil, dressed with a light vinaigrette. The refreshing taste of Pinot Grigio cuts nicely through the creaminess of the mozzarella, while its fruit characteristics harmonise with the sweetness of the tomatoes. The wine's acidity also helps to balance the overall creaminess of the dish, creating a unified taste experience.

For a more indulgent option, mozzarella also pairs well with fried dishes, another unexpected match for Pinot Grigio. The wine's sharpness and gentle fruity notes cut through the richness of fried foods, with its fruity flavours highlighting the taste of the dish. For example, fried gyoza, with its crispy exterior and savory filling, is a perfect match for Pinot Grigio. The wine's sharpness balances the richness of the fried dumplings, while its fruit flavours complement the savory filling.

Goat's Cheese

Goats cheese is a great pairing with Pinot Grigio because the wine's acidity cuts through the fat in the cheese, making your mouth water and providing a palate-cleansing effect. Salty cheeses, like goat's cheese, also pair well with sweet wines, as the saltiness brings out the sweetness.

Pinot Grigio is a light-bodied, delicate, refreshing, dry white wine with bright fruity notes. It is cultivated mainly in Italy, France, and the United States. It has medium-to-high acidity, with citrusy aromas and flavours of lemon and apple. It also has a low to medium alcohol content, ranging from 11-14%.

When pairing cheese with Pinot Grigio, it is best to choose mild cheeses. Mild goat's cheeses, fresh mozzarella, mild cheddars, brie, and gouda are great with Pinot Grigio. A slightly sweet Pinot Grigio pairs well with gorgonzola and feta.

Pinot Grigio is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of dishes. It is an excellent choice for a starter wine before a meal or for gatherings with friends and family. When pairing Pinot Grigio with food, it is important to consider the weight of the wine and the weight of the food, as well as the overall flavours. Lighter, fresh, and mild foods tend to pair better with Pinot Grigio, as it is a light and delicate wine that can be easily overpowered by heavy sauces and red meats.

Brie

When choosing a Brie to pair with Pinot Grigio, look for a young, mild variety that won't overpower the wine's delicate flavours. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any cheeses with strong, sharp or pungent flavours, as these will likely clash with the wine. Instead, opt for something soft, mild and sweet, like Brie, to bring out the sweeter, more mellow notes in your glass of Pinot Grigio.

For a perfect pairing, serve the Brie at room temperature to ensure the cheese is soft and spreadable, and pair it with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio to complement the cheese's creamy texture. This combination will create a delightful contrast between the cool, crisp wine and the rich, buttery cheese.

To elevate the pairing, consider serving the Brie with some light, fresh accompaniments. For example, a few slices of crisp, sweet apple or pear would provide a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese, and the natural sweetness of the fruit will be enhanced by the wine's fruity notes. Some crunchy nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, would also add a tasty texture contrast, and their slight bitterness will be balanced by the wine's acidity.

So, if you're looking for a delicious cheese to pair with your next glass of Pinot Grigio, Brie is an excellent choice. Its mild, buttery flavour and soft texture will complement the wine's crisp, refreshing profile, creating a harmonious match that will enhance your dining experience.

Feta

When pairing Feta with Pinot Grigio, consider the following characteristics:

• Low alcohol: Pinot Grigio's low alcohol content makes it a perfect match for light dishes. Feta, being a delicate and mildly flavoured cheese, pairs well with the wine's light and refreshing qualities.
• High acidity: The high acidity in Pinot Grigio complements the tanginess of Feta. The acid in the wine cuts through the fat of the cheese, creating a palate-cleansing effect.
• Citrus aromas: The citrus notes in Pinot Grigio, such as lime, lemon, and hints of stone fruits, pair well with the salty and tangy flavours of Feta.
• Salads: Feta is an excellent addition to salads, especially those with salty cheeses like Halloumi, Ricotta, or Chèvre. The combination of salty, tangy Feta and crisp greens is enhanced by the citrus and mineral notes in Pinot Grigio.
• Vegetarian dishes: For vegetarian meals, consider pairing Feta with deep-fried vegetables. The high acidity in Pinot Grigio complements the fried flavours, while its citrus notes provide a refreshing contrast.
• Snacks: Feta can be enjoyed as a snack alongside Pinot Grigio, especially when paired with salty crackers or potato chips. The saltiness of Feta and the crispness of the snacks create a delightful contrast to the wine's refreshing qualities.
• Spicy dishes: If you're serving spicy food, an off-dry (semi-sweet) style of Pinot Grigio can balance the heat. The slight sweetness in the wine will temper the spiciness of the dish, while the citrus and mineral notes will refresh your palate.

Gorgonzola

A cow's milk cheese with a strong flavour and a pungent aroma, Gorgonzola is one of Italy's most famous cheeses and one of the oldest types of blue cheese in the world. It is produced in the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy by adding Penicillium to the cheese as it matures, which creates the iconic blue and green veins. Young Gorgonzola is soft and creamy with a hint of acidity, while mature Gorgonzola takes on a more crumbly, firm texture and a strong piquant taste.

When it comes to wine pairings, a slightly sweet Pinot Grigio can be a good match for Gorgonzola. The sweetness of the wine will complement the cheese's strong flavour, creating a pleasant contrast. In addition, the high acidity and light body of Pinot Grigio make it a good choice for cutting through the creaminess of Gorgonzola-based dishes, such as pasta sauces or dips, while also complementing the cheese's rich flavour.

For a simple pasta dish that pairs well with Pinot Grigio, try combining Gorgonzola with pine nuts, Parmesan, and white wine. Fry shallots in butter, add wine and stock, then melt chunks of Gorgonzola into the sauce along with the Parmesan. Toss with your favourite type of pasta and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with a fresh green salad, which will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavours of the pasta.

If you're looking for a more indulgent pairing, Gorgonzola also goes well with bread. Try serving it with fresh crunchy bread, warm ciabatta, or garlic bread. For a heartier meal, pair Gorgonzola with fresh bread and homemade meatballs.

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