Randy Chandler
White wines are generally more cheese-friendly than reds, and there are a variety of cheeses that pair well with white wine. Sauvignon Blanc is a good match for many artisanal cheeses, including brick, Cheddar, Gouda, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Muenster, Parmesan, and Swiss and other alpine-style cheeses. Dry whites pair well with soft cheeses, especially those with mild flavours, while whites with crisp acidity go well with acidic goat cheeses. Rich white wines pair with softer-textured cheeses like Brie. Chardonnay, with its citrus notes and vibrant natural acidity, is a good match for creamy cheeses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Brick, Cheddar, Gouda, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Muenster, Parmesan, Swiss, Alpine-style, Brie, Goat, Creamy |
| Wine type | Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sparkling |
| Wine flavour | Citrus notes, acidity |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Sauvignon Blanc and cheese
Sauvignon Blanc is an approachable white wine that pairs well with almost any cheese. However, its favourites tend to be brick, Cheddar, Gouda, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Muenster, Parmesan, and Swiss and other alpine-style cheeses.
Goat's cheese is also a good pairing with Sauvignon Blanc, as the acidity in the wine complements the fat and richness of the cheese. The grassy notes found in both Sauvignon Blanc and goat's cheese also enhance the overall tasting experience.
Cow's milk cheeses are trickier to pair with Sauvignon Blanc as they are fairly acidic. However, a creamy texture and just a hint of sweetness or spice can help to bring out the rich and bold flavours of the wine.
When pairing Sauvignon Blanc with cheese, it is important to consider not just the flavours but also the texture and acidity of the cheese.
The Kruks P: What Cheese Melts Best?
You may want to see also
Sparkling wines and rich, buttery cheeses
White wines are generally more cheese-friendly than reds, as they are free of oppressive tannins. Sparkling wines, for example, have a degree of acidity and sweetness that gives them a special affinity for rich, buttery cheeses.
To generalise, rich white wines pair well with softer-textured cheeses, like Brie. However, white wines are versatile and can pair with all types of cheese, soft or firm. Dry whites, for example, pair well with soft cheeses, especially those with mild flavours, while whites with crisp acidity go well with acidic goat cheeses.
If you're looking for a cheese to pair with a Sonoma County Chardonnay, try a creamy cheese. Chardonnays from Sonoma have wonderful citrus notes and are balanced by vibrant natural acidity, which cuts through the richness of creamy cheeses. If you're looking for a cheese to pair with a Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc, try a goat cheese. Goat cheese pairs wonderfully with Sauvignon Blanc, as it is light and crisp with racy acidity.
The Mystery of Provel Cheese: A Unique Blend?
You may want to see also
Dry whites and soft cheeses
Dry whites pair well with soft cheeses, especially those with mild flavours. A good example of a dry white is Sonoma County Chardonnay, which has wonderful citrus notes and is perfectly balanced by vibrant natural acidity. This acidity cuts through the richness of creamy cheeses, such as Brie.
Another dry white wine that pairs well with soft cheeses is Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc, which is light and crisp with racy acidity. This wine goes well with goat cheese, which has a soft texture and mild flavour.
When pairing dry white wines with soft cheeses, it is important to consider the acidity of the wine and the richness of the cheese. A wine with high acidity will cut through the richness of a creamy cheese, creating a balanced and harmonious pairing.
Some other soft cheeses that pair well with dry whites include Camembert, Mozzarella, and Ricotta. These cheeses have mild flavours and creamy textures that complement the crispness and acidity of the wine.
When choosing a soft cheese to pair with a dry white wine, it is also important to consider the other flavours and ingredients in the dish. For example, a salad with a vinaigrette dressing may benefit from a softer, milder cheese to balance the acidity, while a richer, creamier cheese may be a better choice for a more subdued dish.
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza: What Cheeses Make the Cut?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Crisp whites and goat cheese
White wines pair with all types of cheese, soft or firm. Dry whites pair well with soft cheeses, especially those with mild flavours, while whites with crisp acidity go well with acidic goat cheeses.
Goat cheese pairs wonderfully with Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc, which is light and crisp with racy acidity. One Sonoma County cheese to pair with Sauvignon Blanc is Laura Chenel’s Chevre, which has a perfect balance of sweet, zesty, herbaceous or earthy flavours that complement any occasion, from breakfast to an elegant dinner.
Another favourite white wine and cheese pairing is Sonoma County Chardonnay with creamy cheeses. Most Chardonnays from Sonoma have wonderful citrus notes and are perfectly balanced by vibrant natural acidity, which cuts through the richer, creamy cheeses.
If you're looking for a sparkling wine, these tend to have an affinity for rich, buttery cheeses.
Wendy's Pub Fries: What's the Cheesy Secret?
You may want to see also
Chardonnay and creamy cheeses
When it comes to creamy cheeses, there are many to choose from. Brie, for example, is a soft-textured cheese that pairs well with rich white wines. Other creamy cheeses that would go well with Chardonnay include Camembert, a French cheese with a similar texture and flavour profile to Brie, and Robiola, an Italian cheese with a slightly tangy flavour.
If you're looking for a more unique pairing, try pairing your Chardonnay with a blue cheese. While blue cheese is typically paired with big, tannic reds, the acidity in Chardonnay can actually help to balance out the strong flavour of blue cheese.
For a truly indulgent experience, why not try pairing your Chardonnay with a cheese fondue? Fondue is typically made with a combination of creamy cheeses, such as Gruyere and Emmenthal, and the addition of white wine helps to create a smooth and creamy texture.
Finally, don't forget that when it comes to wine and cheese pairings, it's all about personal preference. So feel free to experiment with different cheeses and Chardonnays until you find the perfect pairing for your palate.
Panera's American Cheese: What Kind and Why?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
White wines are generally more cheese-friendly than reds. Dry whites pair well with soft cheeses, especially those with mild flavours, while whites with crisp acidity go well with acidic goat cheeses.
Sauvignon Blanc is excellent with many artisanal cheeses, but its favourites tend to be brick, Cheddar, Gouda, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Muenster, Parmesan, and Swiss and other alpine-style cheeses. It also pairs well with goat cheese, especially those with sweet, zesty, herbaceous or earthy flavours.
Chardonnay pairs well with creamy cheeses. The citrus notes and vibrant natural acidity of Chardonnay cut through the richness of the cheese.
Sparkling wines have a degree of acidity and sweetness that gives them an affinity for rich, buttery cheeses.
White wines are more versatile than reds when it comes to cheese pairings, but they don't work well with sharp Cheddar or pungent blue cheese.
