Champagne Cheese: The Perfect Wine Pairing

Champagne and cheese might not seem like an obvious combination, but the two can complement each other surprisingly well. The bubbles and acidity of sparkling wines like champagne act as a palate cleanser, making them a good match for the saltiness and fattiness of cheese. While champagne is the classic choice, other sparkling wines such as prosecco, cava, cremant, and sekt can also pair well with cheese. When it comes to specific cheese varieties, mild, chalky cheeses like Chaource and Gorwydd Caerphilly are good options, while stronger cheeses like Parmesan and blue cheese can stand up to older, more powerful champagnes. Soft, creamy cheeses like brie and camembert are also popular pairings, with their mild flavour and creamy texture complementing the delicate bubbles and fruity notes of the champagne. Ultimately, the best pairing depends on personal preference, so feel free to experiment with different cheeses and sparkling wines to find your favourite combination.

Soft creamy white or goats cheese goes well with a quality Prosecco

Goats' cheese has a fresh, slightly sour taste that pairs well with the crispness of a sparkling wine. A wine with some body is recommended, as a very light wine may be overwhelmed by a very flavoursome goats' cheese. A fine Prosecco with complex flavours is a good choice, as the wine and cheese combine to create a smooth, creamy taste sensation.

A soft creamy white cheese, such as a triple crème, is also a good match for a quality Prosecco. The dryness of the wine works well with the saltiness of the cheese. A dry Prosecco will also complement the earthy, mushroomy flavours of a Camembert.

A quality Prosecco is a good choice to serve with soft creamy white or goats cheese, offering a harmonious combination of flavours and textures.

Hard, dry cheeses are best paired with Champagne, Trento Doc, or Franciacorta

Champagne, in particular, is known for its complex aromas, which, when paired with the equally complex tastes of hard, dry cheeses, create a bubbly explosion of flavor in the mouth. The delicate bubbles of Champagne respect the texture of hard, dry cheeses while also loosening and lightening them, creating a delightful contrast.

Trento Doc, a sparkling wine from the Trentino region in Italy, also makes an excellent pair with hard, dry cheeses. It has a crisp and dry profile, with hints of green apples and bread crust, that can stand up to the strong flavors of these cheeses.

Franciacorta, another Italian sparkling wine, is also a great match for hard, dry cheeses. It has a more delicate and elegant profile, with notes of citrus, flowers, and bread crust, that can balance the intensity of the cheeses.

When pairing hard, dry cheeses with Champagne, Trento Doc, or Franciacorta, it is important to consider the strength and age of the cheese. The stronger and more aged the cheese, the older and more powerful the wine should be. For example, a mature Comté cheese would pair better with an older vintage Champagne or a Prestige Cuvée like Krug, rather than a fresh-tasting non-vintage Champagne.

Soft, creamy blue cheese is a good match for Cremant Brut or Cava extra Brut

Cremant and Cava are sparkling wines similar to champagne, produced in different regions of France and Spain, respectively. Brut indicates that these wines are very dry, with minimal sugar content. This dryness is key to balancing the saltiness and fattiness of the blue cheese. The bubbles in these sparkling wines also help to scrub the palate clean, allowing the drinker to fully appreciate the flavour of the cheese.

The combination of blue cheese and Brut sparkling wine creates a complex, balanced flavour profile. The sharpness and saltiness of the blue cheese are contrasted with the dryness and fruity notes of the wine, resulting in a delightful tasting experience. This pairing showcases how the right match between food and wine can enhance the flavours of both elements.

When pairing blue cheese with Cremant Brut or Cava extra Brut, consider the strength of the cheese. Stronger blue cheeses, such as Stilton, pair well with red sparkling wines, while softer, creamier varieties are better suited for Cremant Brut or Cava extra Brut. The smooth, creamy texture of the cheese complements the dryness and bubbles of these wines, creating a delightful contrast.

In addition to blue cheese, other types of cheese that pair well with sparkling wines include mild, chalky cheeses like Chaource and Gorwydd Caerphilly, as well as hard sheep's cheeses such as Ossau Iraty. Washed-rind cheeses, if not too mature, can also work well with sparkling wines, while very strong blues may be overwhelming. Ultimately, the best pairing depends on personal preference, and experimenting with different cheeses and wines can be a rewarding experience.

Strong blue or Stilton cheese is complemented by a red sparkling wine

The saltiness and bitterness of blue cheese are cut by the acidity and bubbles of sparkling wine, creating a complex, balanced flavour profile. The wine's effervescence scrubs the palate clean, allowing you to fully enjoy the cheese. A dry sparkling wine is usually the best choice for strong blue cheese, as the sweetness of some sparkling wines can be overwhelming.

When it comes to red sparkling wine, a mildly sparkling Lambrusco is an excellent choice to pair with blue cheese. This wine hails from the same region as Parmigiano Reggiano, and the classic pairing of these two ingredients is a great model for what to do with blue cheese. The dense and waxy texture of Parmigiano Reggiano, along with its high acidity, pairs beautifully with the crispness and effervescence of Lambrusco.

For an even drier option, consider a sparkling Teran Prima. This wine was described as "drying the fatty elements" of a creamy blue cheese, leaving a "creamy ripe golden fruit taste sensation."

When pairing strong blue or Stilton cheese with a red sparkling wine, it's important to remember that not all blue cheeses are created equal. Some are saltier or more bitter than others, so the specific type of blue cheese will influence the ideal wine pairing. Additionally, the intensity of the wine should match the intensity of the cheese. A mild blue cheese may be overpowered by a full-bodied red sparkling wine, so a lighter, drier option may be preferable.

Parmesan is the ultimate champagne cheese

The bubbles and high acidity of sparkling wines perfectly rinse the palate after a rich piece of cheese. The wine literally clears the way for the next bite so you can enjoy it fully. The acidity in many sparkling wines makes them excellent partners for a wide array of cheeses. The complex aromas in the wine and the complex tastes from the cheese produce a bubbly explosion of flavor in the mouth.

Parmesan is a dense and waxy cheese with intermittent crunch from protein crystals. It is quite acidic, with a mouthwatery edge that is necessary to keep a lightly sweet wine from being overwhelming. A good pairing for parmesan is a mildly sparkling red wine like Lambrusco, which comes from the same region as Parmigiano Reggiano. Other good options include Grana Padano, Piave, or the Sardinian mixed-milk Podda Classico. A big, broad bubble mines the paste, and the pairing is reminiscent of peanut butter and jelly.

When serving cheese, a good rule of thumb is that the stronger the cheese, the heavier the wine should be. Young, uncomplex wines with nice acidity go well with lighter cheeses, while heavier and often more aged sparkling wines are wonderful with aged cheeses.

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