Smoked Cheese And White Wine: The Perfect Pairing

Wine and cheese are a classic combination, and for good reason. The properties of wine, such as acidity, astringency, and sweetness, complement the creamy, nutty, and pungent notes of cheese. While red wines contain tannins, which can make them tricky to pair with cheese, white wines are more versatile and pair well with a wider range of cheeses. So, what white wine goes well with smoked cheese?

Sauvignon Blanc and Smoked Cheese

Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile white wine that pairs well with many foods, including smoked cheese. Native to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France, it is the predominant white grape of Bordeaux and is known for its crisp, refreshing nature with high acidity and notes of lime, green leafy herbs, grapefruit, passionfruit, and white peach. Its versatility makes it a great choice for pairing with a variety of cheeses, and its high acidity and refreshing nature make it an especially good match for smoked cheese.

When pairing Sauvignon Blanc with smoked cheese, it is important to consider the characteristics of both the wine and the cheese. Smoked cheeses tend to have a strong, pungent flavour, so a lighter and drier Sauvignon Blanc will help to balance out the intense flavours of the cheese. In terms of specific cheese varieties, plain goat cheese, Asiago, Gouda, Gruyere, and feta are all excellent choices to pair with Sauvignon Blanc.

Goat cheese, in particular, pairs well with heavily oaked Sauvignon Blanc. The rich and tangy flavour of goat cheese complements the bold flavours of the wine. Asiago, on the other hand, is quite pungent, but its strong flavour is balanced by the lightness and dryness of the Sauvignon Blanc. Aged Gouda is another excellent choice, as the nutty flavour balances out the grassy and acidic fruit flavours found in Sauvignon Blanc.

When creating a cheese board to pair with Sauvignon Blanc, consider including a variety of cheeses that will complement the wine. In addition to the smoked cheese, include some lighter, creamier cheeses such as goat cheese or Brie. Fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, basil, and rosemary can also enhance the flavours of the wine.

Overall, Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice for pairing with smoked cheese due to its crisp, refreshing nature and high acidity. The key to a successful pairing is balancing the intense flavours of the smoked cheese with the lighter, more acidic notes of the wine.

Chardonnay and Smoked Cheese

Chardonnay is a versatile white wine that can be paired with a variety of cheeses, including smoked cheese. The type of Chardonnay and the intensity of its flavours will influence the best cheese pairings.

Unoaked Chardonnay and Smoked Cheese

Unoaked Chardonnays are lighter, with higher acidity, and fresh, fruity flavours of lemons and apples. They pair well with mild, creamy cheeses. Examples include:

• Mozzarella
• Feta
• Halloumi
• Ricotta
• Manchego

Oaked Chardonnay and Smoked Cheese

Oaked Chardonnays have a bolder flavour and a creamy, buttery texture. They pair well with more intense, bolder, and stinkier cheeses. Examples include:

• Brie
• Gouda
• Aged Cheddar
• Raclette

General Chardonnay and Smoked Cheese Pairing Tips

When pairing Chardonnay with smoked cheese, it is important to consider the intensity of flavours and the weight (body) of the wine. Lighter, crisp Chardonnays pair best with lighter foods, while oaky, rich Chardonnays taste better with richer foods that echo the wine's sweeter, toasty flavours.

Chardonnay's subtle nature can be overwhelmed by pungent foods, aggressive seasoning, bitter greens, acidic foods, and pungent or high-acid cheeses. It pairs well with mild, buttery, and creamy dishes, meaty fish, shellfish, and subtly flavoured, simply seasoned poultry and pork dishes.

Moscato and Smoked Cheese

Moscato is a sweet, fruity, and floral wine with low alcohol content and a slight fizz. It is known to pair well with foods that have an opposite flavor profile, such as salty, bitter, spicy, or sour foods. When it comes to cheese, Moscato is a versatile wine that can be paired with a variety of options, but some cheeses complement it better than others. Here are some tips and suggestions for pairing Moscato with smoked cheese:

Pairing Moscato with Smoked Cheese

When pairing Moscato with smoked cheese, it is important to consider the intensity of the smoke. Smoked cheeses can range from mildly smoky to strongly pungent, and the level of smokiness will influence how well the cheese pairs with Moscato. In general, milder smoked cheeses will complement the sweetness and fruitiness of Moscato better than intensely smoky cheeses, which may overpower the delicate flavors of the wine.

Recommended Pairings

• Goat Cheese ( Chèvre ): Fresh goat cheese is a classic pairing with Moscato. The creamy and tangy profile of goat cheese pairs wonderfully with the sweetness and fruit-forward nature of Moscato. The acidity of the wine also helps to cut through the slight heaviness of the cheese. However, it is important to avoid goat cheese with strong flavor additions such as garlic or chili, as these can clash with the floral perfume of the wine.
• Blue Cheese ( Gorgonzola ): The sweetness of Moscato balances out the earthy tang of blue cheese, creating a harmonious combination. The residual sugar in the wine complements the smokiness of blue cheese, making it a good option for smoked blue cheeses.
• Brie: The creamy and slightly nutty profile of Brie provides a nice contrast to the sweetness and bubbles of Moscato. The soft, buttery texture and mild flavors of Brie beautifully enhance the fruitiness of the wine.
• Camembert: Camembert, a rich and creamy cheese with a delicate mushroomy flavor, is another excellent match for Moscato. Its soft, creamy texture and mild, milky flavor complement the light and crisp characteristics of the wine.
• Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella, with its delicate and milky taste, is a good choice for Moscato pairings. Its soft texture and mild flavors won't overpower the light and fruity notes of the wine.
• Feta: Feta, a tangy and crumbly cheese, pairs well with Moscato due to its salty and slightly briny flavors. Feta will work with both dry and off-dry styles of Moscato.
• Provolone: Provolone, a semi-firm Italian cheese with a mild tangy flavor, offers a delightful pairing with Moscato. Its smooth texture and subtle flavors won't compete with the wine's profile.
• Parmesan: Parmesan, a hard and aged Italian cheese with a rich, nutty flavor, can be grated or shaved and paired with Moscato. Its intense and savory taste provides a nice contrast to the wine's brightness.

Riesling and Smoked Cheese

Riesling is one of the world's most popular white grape varietals, originating in Germany's Rhine region. It is an aromatic grape that is rarely oaked or blended with other grapes. The dry versions have notes of green apple, citrus, and peach, while the sweeter wines offer tropical fruit, honey, and spice flavors.

When it comes to pairing Riesling with smoked cheese, a German Rauchkase is an excellent choice. This cheese is gently smoked using a traditional technique, resulting in a creamy, buttery, and smoky flavor that ranges from mild to piquant. The smoke infusion in the cheese complements the aromatic scents of the Riesling, creating a delightful combination.

Another option for smoked cheese to pair with Riesling is Comte Black Label Reserve, a French cheese with a sweet and nutty taste. The maturation process and the blending of morning and evening milkings contribute to its unique flavor. The raclette, a smooth and buttery cheese, is also a good match for Riesling, as its versatility blends well with the wine's high acidity and stone fruit flavors.

When selecting a Riesling to pair with smoked cheese, consider the sweetness level of the wine. If you choose a sweeter Riesling, such as an Auslese or a dessert wine, it will pair well with stronger, stinkier cheeses. On the other hand, if you opt for a drier Riesling like an Alsatian or Kabinett, it will complement the smokiness of the cheese without overwhelming it.

Pinot Gris and Smoked Cheese

When it comes to wine and cheese, few foods are more complementary. The acidity, astringency, and sweetness of wine complement the creamy, nutty, and pungent properties of cheese. White wines, in particular, are more cheese-friendly than reds due to their lower tannin content.

Pinot Gris, a white wine known for its vibrant flavours and crisp acidity, is an excellent choice for pairing with smoked cheese. Its versatility allows it to stand up to a range of dishes, from light and zesty to rich and aromatic. The key to a successful pairing is to match the intensity of the wine with the dish. For Pinot Gris, look for fresh, vibrant flavours that complement rather than overpower the cheese.

The bright acidity and fruity notes of Pinot Gris make it a natural match for smoked cheese. The acidity will cut through the richness of the cheese, enhancing its flavour. When choosing a smoked cheese to pair with Pinot Gris, consider a variety that is not too overpowering but has good clean flavours and a slight earthiness, such as Ibores or Garrotxa St. Gil. These cheeses will complement the citrus and tropical fruit notes commonly found in Pinot Gris, as well as the hints of honey, petrol, and spice that give this wine its unique character.

For a bolder option, consider pairing Pinot Gris with a stronger, sharper cheese like Pecorino. The tangy flavour of the cheese will cut through the plushness of the wine, creating a unique taste experience. Another option is to pair Pinot Gris with a cheese that has some saltiness, such as fresh goat's milk cheeses like Cowgirl Creamery's Humboldt Fog or Laura Chenel Chevre. The saltiness of the cheese will provide a terrific counterbalance to the minerality and crispness of the wine.

Frequently asked questions