Wine And Danish Blue: The Perfect Pairing

Danish Blue cheese is a soft blue cheese with a strong aroma and a sharp, salty taste. It is ideal for cooking, or adding to crackers or salads, and can be bought in most supermarkets. But what wine should you pair with it?

The answer depends on the context in which you are eating the cheese. If you are having Danish Blue as part of a savoury dish, a drier white or red wine would work better. For example, if you are having a blue cheese and fresh fig salad, a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi would be a good choice. If you are serving the cheese with a burger or steak, a hearty red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec would be a better pairing.

However, if you are eating the cheese on its own, a sweet wine is a classic pairing with blue cheese. Port and Stilton is one famous combination, while Sauternes and Roquefort is another. Dessert wines such as Tokaji, Late Harvest Riesling, and Muscat are also good choices to pair with the salty, bold flavours of blue cheese.

Danish Blue Cheese and Port

Danish Blue Cheese, or Danablu, is a soft blue cheese with a strong aroma and a sharp, salty taste. It is made using cow's milk and has a creamy and smooth texture. The cheese is pierced with steel needles to allow the blue culture to breathe and develop, and it is then aged for around 60 days.

When it comes to wine pairings, Port is a classic choice for Blue Cheese. Port is a sweet, rich, and fruity wine that beautifully contrasts with the saltiness of the cheese. The sweetness of the Port can offset the bitterness of the blue veins in the cheese, creating a harmonious flavour profile.

In addition to Port, there are other wine options that can complement Danish Blue Cheese. Fortified wines, such as medium-dry Amontillado or Oloroso Sherry, or a sweet Madeira, can be excellent pairings. These wines have a touch of sweetness that works well with the sharpness of the cheese.

For a red wine option, a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec can be a good choice. The robust tannins in these wines can stand up to the strong flavours of the blue cheese, creating a velvety texture in the mouth. A Zinfandel is another red wine that can pair well with blue cheese, offering fruity and floral notes to balance the saltiness.

When serving Danish Blue Cheese, it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be paired with seared beef, veal, or pork steak, melted into soups, pastas, or stews, or enjoyed cold with zesty apple, dark chocolate, or pear to complement the flavours and subdue the sharper tones.

Danish Blue Cheese and Steak

Danish Blue Cheese is a soft blue cheese with a strong aroma, a sharp taste, and a salty kick. It is ideal for cooking, or adding to crackers or salads, and is available everywhere. It is also known as Danablu and is made using cow's milk. It has a creamy and smooth texture, with streaks of blue veins along its white interior.

When pairing wine with Danish Blue Cheese and steak, a few options come to mind. Firstly, a hearty red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec would be a great choice. These wines have robust flavours and powerful tannins that can stand up to the intensity of the blue cheese and complement the steak.

Another option could be a medium-bodied red wine, especially if the Danish Blue Cheese is on the milder side. A southern Italian red like a Negroamaro or Nero d'Avola, or even a Zinfandel, would create a beautiful pairing. These wines have enough body and flavour to stand up to the cheese without overwhelming it.

For those who prefer white wine, a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi could be a good choice, especially if the steak and blue cheese dish is served with a side of fresh fig or pear, as the wine would complement the fruit beautifully.

Lastly, for a sweet finish to the meal, a dessert wine like a Late Harvest Riesling or a Muscat could be delightful. The intense fruitiness of these wines will create a wonderful contrast with the salty, sharp notes of the Danish Blue Cheese, while also complementing the steak.

Danish Blue Cheese and Dessert Wines

Danish Blue Cheese, also known as Danablu, is a semi-soft blue cheese with a strong aroma and a sharp, salty taste. It is made using cow's milk and has a creamy and smooth texture. When it comes to pairing Danish Blue Cheese with dessert wines, here are some suggestions:

Dessert Wines

Dessert wines offer a sweet and indulgent contrast to the bold and salty Danish Blue Cheese. The interplay of sweet and salty creates a delightful sensory experience. When choosing a dessert wine to pair with Danish Blue Cheese, consider options such as:

• Tokaji: A Hungarian dessert wine known for its sweetness, vibrant acidity, and lovely honey and apricot notes.
• Late Harvest Riesling: A sweeter variety of Riesling with hints of tropical fruits that complement the saltiness of the cheese.
• Muscat: A floral and fresh grape wine that pairs beautifully with the cheese.

Fruit Flavours

The natural fruitiness of dessert wines amplifies the flavour of Danish Blue Cheese. Fresh or dried fruits, such as pears, figs, and apples, are classic pairings with blue cheese. The sweetness of the fruit balances the saltiness of the cheese, creating a harmonious combination.

Blue Cheese as a Dessert

For a unique dessert option, consider using Danish Blue Cheese in a cheesecake or pairing it with dark chocolate. The combination of sweet and salty flavours, along with the interplay of textures, can elevate your dessert experience.

Classic Pairings

While exploring various dessert wines, don't forget the classic pairings of blue cheese with Port or Sauternes. Port, a sweet, rich, and fruity wine, beautifully contrasts the saltiness of blue cheese. Sauternes, a sweet, golden wine, offers a harmonious pairing with the salty and pungent flavours of blue cheese.

Danish Blue Cheese and White Wines

Danish Blue Cheese, also known as Danablu, is a semi-soft blue cheese with a strong aroma and a sharp, salty taste. It is made using cow's milk and has a creamy and smooth texture. When it comes to wine pairings, there are a few recommended options to consider:

White Wines

While Danish Blue Cheese is often enjoyed with red wines such as Port or Cabernet Sauvignon, there are several white wines that can complement its unique flavour profile. The key is to look for white wines with a touch of sweetness or floral aromas to contrast the salty and sharp taste of the cheese. Here are some specific recommendations:

• Gavi di Gavi: A smooth Italian white wine that will complement the creaminess of Danish Blue Cheese. This pairing is especially recommended if the cheese is used in a savoury dish like a salad or pasta, where its sharpness is mellowed by the addition of milk or cream.
• Jurancon Sec: Suggested by wine expert Victoria Moore, Jurancon Sec is recommended for a Roquefort, pear and endive salad. The sweetness of the wine will offset the saltiness of the Danish Blue Cheese.
• Gewürztraminer: A white wine known for its floral aromas and hint of sweetness. This wine will complement the cheese without overpowering its flavour.
• Riesling: With its fruity and floral characteristics, Riesling can provide a nice contrast to the salty and sharp Danish Blue Cheese.

When pairing Danish Blue Cheese with white wine, it is generally recommended to choose a wine with a touch of sweetness. This helps to create a flavour bridge, bringing harmony to the overall tasting experience.

Danish Blue Cheese and Salads

Danish Blue Cheese, also known as Danablu, is a semi-soft blue cheese with a strong aroma and a sharp, salty taste. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many ways, including as an ingredient in salads. Here are some tips and ideas for incorporating Danish Blue Cheese into your salad creations, along with wine pairing suggestions:

Danish Blue Cheese and Salad Combinations

Danish Blue Cheese pairs well with a variety of ingredients to make delicious and flavourful salads. Here are some ideas for combinations:

• Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Balsamic Reduction: Crumble Danish Blue Cheese over a bed of mixed greens, and top with chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. The sweetness of the cranberries and the tanginess of the balsamic reduction create a beautiful contrast with the salty, creamy cheese.
• Peach and Blue Cheese: For a unique combination, try pairing Danish Blue Cheese with peach. This can be in the form of a peach and blue cheese salad or even a peach and blue cheese toast. The sweetness of the peach will offset the sharpness of the cheese.
• Brussels Sprout Salad: Castello, a Danish cheese brand, suggests a Brussels sprout salad with their Danish Blue Cheese Roulade. This combination offers a unique blend of flavours and textures, with the slightly bitter Brussels sprouts complementing the creamy and salty cheese.
• Fruit Salads: Danish Blue Cheese also goes well with fresh or dried fruits, such as pears, apples, and figs. Consider a salad with mixed greens, sliced pears or apples, and crumbled Danish Blue Cheese, topped with a drizzle of honey. The natural sweetness of the fruit pairs beautifully with the bold flavour of the cheese.

Wine Pairings for Danish Blue Cheese Salads

When it comes to wine pairings, there are several options that can enhance the flavour of your Danish Blue Cheese salad:

• Sweet Wines: The sharpness and saltiness of Danish Blue Cheese are balanced by sweet wines. Consider a classic Port or a lush Sauternes, which are well-known pairings with blue cheese. The sweetness of these wines contrasts beautifully with the salty and bold flavours of the cheese.
• Dessert Wines: The bold and robust nature of Danish Blue Cheese can be complemented by the sweet and fruity notes of dessert wines. Try a Hungarian Tokaji with its honey and apricot flavours, or a Late Harvest Riesling with hints of tropical fruits. The intense fruitiness of these wines amplifies the taste experience when paired with blue cheese.
• Sparkling Wines: For a refreshing and palate-cleansing option, consider sparkling wines like Champagne or Cava. The bubbles act as a palate cleanser, setting you up to enjoy the creamy and tangy flavours of the cheese.
• White Wines: White wines such as Gewürztraminer or Riesling are excellent choices for blue cheese salads. Their floral aromas and hint of sweetness complement the cheese without overpowering its flavour.

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