Cheese And Red Wine: The Perfect Pairing Guide

what kind of cheese pairs well with red wine

Red wine and cheese are a classic combination. Red wines pair well with bold, hearty, and aged cheeses like Cheddar or Red Leicester, as these cheeses can stand up to the extra tannins red wine has. If you prefer a lighter red wine, like a Beaujolais, then creamier soft cheeses like Brie, Swiss cheeses, Camembert and Cheshire work well. For a full-bodied red, try a sharp yet sweet aged gouda. Or, for a sweet red wine, try a salty blue cheese.

Characteristics Values
Cheese type Cheddar, Red Leicester, Brie, Swiss, Camembert, Cheshire, Parmesan, Gouda, Havarti, Blue Cheese
Wine type Full-bodied red wines, Port, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir
Cheese texture Hard, soft, aged, bold, hearty
Wine texture Light, medium-bodied, full-bodied

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Cabernet Sauvignon and aged gouda

Red wines are known to pair well with bold, hearty, and aged cheeses, such as Cheddar or Red Leicester. These cheeses can stand up to the extra tannins in red wine. If you're looking for a lighter red wine, such as Beaujolais, then creamier soft cheeses like Brie, Swiss cheeses, Camembert and Cheshire work well.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium-bodied red wine that pairs well with hard cheeses. One such cheese is aged gouda. The full-bodied flavour of Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly with the sharp yet sweet taste of aged gouda. The two have similar flavours, but are different enough to make for a delicious combination.

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Pinot Noir and soft cheeses

Red wines are often paired with bold, hearty, and aged cheeses like Cheddar or Red Leicester. These cheeses can stand up to the extra tannins in red wine, compared to white wine. If the red wine is lighter, like a Beaujolais, then creamier soft cheeses like Brie, Swiss cheeses, Camembert and Cheshire work well.

Pinot Noir is a fruity red wine that pairs well with soft cheeses. Soft cheeses are creamier and less salty than hard cheeses, and their mild flavour and smooth texture make them a good match for the wine's fruity notes.

When pairing a soft cheese with a Pinot Noir, consider a Brie, Swiss cheese, or Camembert. These cheeses have a mild, buttery flavour that will complement the wine's fruity notes without overwhelming them.

If you're looking for a more adventurous pairing, try a soft blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort. These cheeses have a slightly stronger flavour than Brie or Camembert, but their creaminess and subtle salty notes can enhance the wine's fruity flavours.

For a truly indulgent experience, serve the wine and cheese with some fresh or dried fruit, nuts, and crackers. The sweetness of the fruit will contrast nicely with the saltiness of the cheese, while the crackers will provide a crunchy texture to complement the creaminess of the cheese and the smoothness of the wine.

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Port and blue cheese

Port is a rich, sweet red wine that is usually paired with desserts. However, it can also be paired with sharp, salty blue cheese as an appetizer. The combination of sweet and salty flavours is sure to impress your guests.

Blue cheese is also a classic pairing with Sauternes, a sweet white wine. Blue cheese is a strong flavour, so it is best to pair it with a wine that can stand up to it. Port is a good choice because it is a sweet wine, which balances the saltiness of the blue cheese.

As a general rule, aged cheeses and hard cheeses tend to go well with heavier, robust wines like full-bodied red wines or with sweet or fortified wines like Riesling or port.

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Full-bodied red wines and aged cheeses

Red wines pair well with bold, hearty, and aged cheeses like Cheddar or Red Leicester. These cheeses can stand up to the extra tannins in red wine. If the red wine is lighter, like a Beaujolais, then creamier soft cheeses like Brie, Swiss cheeses, Camembert and Cheshire work well.

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Red wine and cheddar

Cheddar has a strong, sharp flavour that can be nutty, and this works well with the nutty, sharp flavour of Parmesan, another cheese that goes well with red wine. You could try a mixed cheese board with other cheeses that pair well with red wine, such as Gouda, Havarti, Swiss and other alpine-style cheeses.

If you're looking for a specific wine to pair with your cheddar, a Cabernet Sauvignon is a good choice. This medium-bodied red wine goes well with hard cheeses. Another option is a Pinot Noir, a fruity red wine that pairs well with soft cheeses.

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Frequently asked questions

Red wines work well with bold, hearty, and aged cheeses like Cheddar, Red Leicester, or Gouda.

If you prefer a lighter red, like a Beaujolais, then creamier soft cheeses like Brie, Swiss cheeses, Camembert, and Cheshire work well.

Fruity reds like Pinot Noir are a good match for soft cheeses.

Medium-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon are a good match for hard cheeses.

Port is a rich, sweet red wine that pairs well with sharp, salty blue cheese.

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