Patrick Oconnell
Pinot Noir is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses. The best cheeses to pair with Pinot Noir are fresh, soft-rind cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, and Taleggio, as well as nutty, medium-firm cheeses like Gruyere, Comte, and Swiss. Goat's and sheep's milk cheeses also work well, as do some mild goat's milk cheeses. If you're feeling adventurous, a stronger Pinot Noir can be paired with a blue cheese like Cambozola.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Fresh, soft-rind cheeses (e.g. Brie, Camembert) |
| Mild to medium-strength cheddar | |
| Sheep's milk cheeses | |
| Mild goat's milk cheese | |
| Hard, nutty-flavoured cheeses (e.g. Gruyere, Comte, Gouda, Swiss) | |
| Delicate, washed-rind cheeses (e.g. Taleggio) | |
| Blue cheeses (e.g. Cambozola) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Soft-rind cheeses like Brie or Camembert
Brie is a soft French cheese with a mild, creamy taste. It's a great choice if you're looking for something that won't overwhelm the wine but still has a bit of flavour. Camembert is another soft French cheese that's similar to Brie, but it has a bit more taste. It's also mild and creamy, making it a good match for the fruity notes of pinot noir.
If you're looking for something a little more unusual, you might want to try Sottocenere. This Italian cheese from the northern region of Veneto is infused with the flavour of truffles. It's a good match for an earthy Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Sottocenere is made from pasteurized cow's milk and has a creamy, delicate, and aromatic flavour.
Gruyere is another option for pairing with pinot noir. This smooth, nutty, medium-firm cheese is made from cow's milk and melts beautifully. It has a fruity and mild flavour with a creamy texture, making it a good match for the wine.
Cabbage Cheese: What's Inside This Unique Dish?
You may want to see also
Mild to medium-strength cheddar
When pairing a Pinot Noir with cheese, a mild to medium-strength cheddar is a good option. This is because Pinot Noir is a fruity wine, so you'll want to choose a cheese that won't overpower its flavour.
If you're looking for a specific brand or variety of cheddar, there are a few options that are known to pair well with Pinot Noir. For example, Cabot Clothbound Cheddar is a popular choice, as it has a slightly tangy and nutty flavour that goes well with the wine's characteristics. Another option is the English Coastal Cheddar, which has a slightly stronger flavour but still pairs nicely with the wine.
When serving cheddar with Pinot Noir, it's important to consider the temperature of the cheese. Cheddar is best served at room temperature, as this allows its flavours to fully develop. You can also experiment with different textures by grating or shaving the cheese, which can add an interesting dimension to the pairing.
Finally, when creating a cheese plate to pair with Pinot Noir, consider adding some complementary flavours to enhance the experience. For example, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, and crackers can all help to bring out the flavours of the wine and cheese.
Cheese on Pizza: Mozzarella and More!
You may want to see also
Sheep's milk cheeses
When selecting a sheep's milk cheese to pair with pinot noir, opt for a delicate, aromatic variety. Sottocenere, for example, is a semi-soft, Italian cheese from the northern region of Veneto. It is infused with the flavour of truffles and is a good match for an earthy pinot noir. Sottocenere is also laced with slivers of black truffle and coated in nutmeg, coriander, cinnamon, licorice, cloves, and fennel, making it a unique and indulgent choice.
Another option is Comte, a sweet and nutty cheese that is similar in flavour to many sheep's milk cheeses. Comte is made with unpasteurized cow's milk, but its flavour profile makes it a good substitute for sheep's milk cheese when pairing with pinot noir.
In general, when pairing pinot noir with cheese, it is best to stick to fresh, soft-rind cheeses, such as Brie or Camembert, or mild to medium-strength cheddars. Harder, nutty-flavoured cheeses, such as Gouda, Comte, or Swiss, also pair well with pinot noir. Very rarely do pinot noirs blend well with washed-rind cheeses or blues, as these cheeses tend to have a fuller flavour that can overpower the wine. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and a stronger pinot noir can stand up to the flavour of these cheeses.
Shepherd's Pie: Choosing the Perfect Cheesy Topping
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Goat's milk cheese
When pairing a pinot noir with goat's milk cheese, it's best to stick to mild goat's milk cheese. This is because pinot noir is a light-bodied wine with bright, fruity notes. A mild goat's milk cheese will complement the wine's fruity flavours without overwhelming them.
Some specific types of goat's milk cheese that pair well with pinot noir include fresh chèvre, a soft, mild cheese with a slightly tangy flavour, and aged goat's milk cheddar, which has a sharper, more complex flavour but is still mild enough to complement the wine.
When creating a cheese plate to pair with pinot noir, consider including a variety of goat's milk cheeses, such as a fresh chèvre log, a mild aged cheddar, and perhaps a goat's milk blue cheese, which can add an interesting contrast to the wine's fruity notes.
Additionally, consider the other flavours on your cheese plate. Goat's milk cheese pairs well with sweet accompaniments like honey or fruit chutney, as well as fresh fruits such as apples, pears, or grapes. These flavours will also complement the pinot noir's fruity notes.
Cheese Varieties in Wisconsin: A Tasty Exploration
You may want to see also
Hard, nutty-flavoured cheeses like Gruyere or Comte
When it comes to pairing cheese with pinot noir, hard, nutty-flavoured cheeses like Gruyere or Comte are an excellent choice. Gruyere, a smooth cow's milk cheese from Switzerland, has a fruity and mild flavour with a creamy texture that pairs beautifully with the wine. Comte, on the other hand, is made with unpasteurised cow's milk but has the same sweet, nutty character as many sheep's milk cheeses, which also complement the flavours of pinot noir.
When selecting a cheese to pair with pinot noir, it's important to consider the wine's delicate flavour profile. Pinot noir is known for its fruity notes and smooth texture. By choosing a cheese that also has fruity or nutty flavours, you can create a harmonious pairing that enhances the wine's characteristics.
Gruyere, with its smooth and creamy texture, melts beautifully and can add a luxurious touch to your wine and cheese experience. Comte, with its sweet and nutty flavours, offers a similar profile to sheep's milk cheeses, providing a unique twist on a classic pairing.
When creating a cheese platter to pair with pinot noir, consider including a variety of textures and flavours. Along with your chosen hard, nutty cheese, add some fresh, soft-rind cheeses like Brie or Camembert, and perhaps a mild goat's milk cheese. This will provide a range of flavours and textures to enjoy with the wine, creating a well-rounded and delightful tasting experience.
Remember, the key to successful wine and cheese pairings is to find a balance where neither the wine nor the cheese overpowers the other. With its nutty and fruity notes, pinot noir is a versatile wine that can be paired with a variety of cheeses, so feel free to experiment and find the combinations that you enjoy the most.
Cheese and Apple Pie: A Tasty Combination?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Soft-rind cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Comte, Gruyere, and Swiss cheese are all good matches for pinot noir.
The sharp tang of blue cheese might not seem like an obvious match for pinot noir, but a lighter blue like Cambozola can work well.
Yes, you could also try a delicate washed-rind cheese like Taleggio, or a mild to medium-strength cheddar.
