The Perfect Wine And Parmesan Cheese Pairing

Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Parmesan, is a versatile cheese that pairs well with many types of wine. The King of Cheeses has a bold, nutty, nuanced flavour and a distinct crumble. Its salty, savoury taste is a result of its high glutamate content. When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to consider the intensity, texture, and origin of the cheese, as well as the wine's characteristics. Harder cheeses like Parmesan can handle more tannic wines, while creamy cheeses like Brie go better with more acidic wines. Parmesan's saltiness can be balanced by the bubbles in Prosecco, and its nutty, fruity, and buttery notes are complemented by the Chianti or a Lambrusco. For white wines, a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio can be a good match.

Sauvignon Blanc

When it comes to pairing Sauvignon Blanc with Parmesan cheese, the wine's full white characteristics with citrus, melon, tropical, and floral notes can complement the salty and nutty flavours of Parmesan. The wine's smokiness can also add an interesting dimension to the pairing.

Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a wide range of wines. It is a hard cheese with a distinct crumble and a lively umami backbone. Its bold personality and intense flavour can be balanced by the crisp and gently fruity notes of Sauvignon Blanc.

When pairing wines with cheese, it is generally recommended to match the intensity of the wine and cheese. Sauvignon Blanc, with its medium to full body and fruity notes, can stand up to the strong flavour of Parmesan without being overpowered.

Additionally, Sauvignon Blanc and Parmesan cheese can be paired based on the principle of regionality. Parmigiano-Reggiano, being an Italian cheese, can be paired with wines from the same region, such as a Tuscan Chianti or a Lambrusco, which is a red sparkling wine from North-Central Eastern Italy.

Overall, Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice to pair with Parmesan cheese, offering a well-balanced and flavourful combination.

Pinot Grigio

Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of the most versatile cheeses to pair with wine. It can be paired with both white and red wines, and its saltiness can be cut through with a sparkling wine like Prosecco.

When choosing a Pinot Grigio to pair with Parmesan, opt for one from the Veneto region of Italy, or, if you prefer domestic wines, choose a Pinot Grigio from Oregon. A good rule of thumb when pairing wine and cheese is to choose varieties from the same region, so an Italian Pinot Grigio would be a natural choice to pair with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Another tip for pairing wine and cheese is to match the intensity of the wine and cheese. Parmigiano-Reggiano has a bold, nutty, and savoury flavour, so it can stand up to a bolder wine. Wines with an ABV of over 14.5% are more intense and pair better with more intensely-flavoured cheeses. Pinot Grigio typically has an ABV of between 12% and 14%, so it may be a better choice to pair a young Parmigiano-Reggiano with this wine, as the cheese's flavour will be less intense than a more mature variety.

Finally, the texture of the cheese should be considered when choosing a wine to pair with it. Rich, dense, and buttery cheeses pair well with sparkling wines, as the bubbles have a "mouth scrubbing" effect. Therefore, a sparkling Pinot Grigio would also be an excellent choice to pair with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Lambrusco

When pairing wine and cheese, it is generally recommended to choose wines and cheeses from the same region. Parmigiano-Reggiano is produced in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Bologna and Mantua, so an Italian wine like Lambrusco is a suitable choice.

In addition to Lambrusco, other wine options that go well with Parmesan include Chianti, Prosecco, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Amarone della Valpolicella.

Chianti

Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Parmesan, is a versatile cheese that pairs well with both white and red wines, as well as sparkling wines or "bubbles". When looking for a wine to pair with Parmesan, a good place to start is with Italian wines, as Parmesan is an Italian cheese.

A Tuscan Chianti is a great choice to pair with Parmesan. Chianti is a Tuscan red wine with fruity notes of plum and sour cherry, as well as orange peel, almond, and coffee. The high acidity and low tannins of Chianti make it a good match for the salty, savoury, and nutty flavours of Parmesan.

When pairing wine and cheese, it's important to consider the intensity of both the wine and the cheese. Delicate cheeses should be paired with less intense wines under 12% ABV, while more intense cheeses can stand up to bolder wines over 14.5% ABV. Harder cheeses like Parmesan can also handle more tannic wines, whereas creamy cheeses like Brie pair better with more acidic wines. Aged cheeses with higher fat content are ideal for matching with bold red wines, as the fat in the cheese counteracts the high tannins in the wine.

Parmesan is a potent, salty, and nutty cheese, so a bold, fruity, and acidic Chianti is a great choice to stand up to its strong flavours.

Prosecco

Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Parmesan, is a versatile cheese that pairs well with a variety of wines, including whites, reds, and sparkling wines. When it comes to Prosecco, a sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy, it is an excellent choice to pair with Parmesan cheese. Here's why:

The Flavors of Parmesan

Parmesan cheese, known as the "King of Cheeses," has a bold and prolific flavour with nutty nuances and a distinct crumble. It is a hard cheese with a lively umami backbone. Its intense aromas and flavours include fruit, nuts, butter, and hay, and it has a high glutamate content that enhances its savoury quality.

The Characteristics of Prosecco

Why They Work Together

The bubbles in Prosecco help cut through the saltiness of Parmesan, creating a balanced pairing. The crisp, fruity notes of Prosecco also provide a nice contrast to the savoury, umami flavours of the cheese. Additionally, the "old-school Italian personality" of Parmesan makes it a natural fit with Italian sparkling wines like Prosecco.

Serving Suggestions

When serving Parmesan with Prosecco, consider adding some accompaniments to enhance the pairing. For example, serving Parmesan with sliced pears, toasted hazelnuts, dates, or walnuts can complement the flavours of both the cheese and the wine. A drizzle of authentic aged balsamic vinegar can also bring out the underlying richness of the cheese without overwhelming it.

Other Wine Pairings for Parmesan

While Prosecco is an excellent choice, there are also other wines that pair well with Parmesan. Chianti, a Tuscan red, is a popular pairing, offering fruity notes of plum and sour cherry, along with hints of orange peel, almond, and coffee. Lambrusco, a red sparkling wine from North-Central Eastern Italy, is another option, known for its bright acidity, dark tannic fruit notes, and spritzy fizz, which provide a great counterbalance to the saltiness of the cheese.

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