Wine And Mozzarella: The Perfect Pairing

Mozzarella is a soft and rindless Italian cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. Its mild and creamy flavour profile and smooth texture make it a versatile cheese with a multitude of wine-pairing options. From crisp, acidic white wines to dry sparkling wines and unoaked, low-tannin reds, there are many choices that can elevate the overall enjoyment of this beloved cheese.

Mozzarella and wine: sparkling wines

Mozzarella is a soft and rindless Italian cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. Its production method is called Pasta Filata. When it comes to wine pairings, mozzarella is quite versatile and can be paired with both red and white wines.

For those who enjoy sparkling wines, there are several options that complement mozzarella's mild and creamy profile. Mozzarella pairs well with dry sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco. The crispness and acidity of these wines cut through the creaminess of the cheese, creating a refreshing and elegant pairing. The bubbles also add a playful element to the combination. In addition to Champagne and Prosecco, a sparkling Lambrusco can be a delightful choice. Lambrusco is a fizzy, unoaked, low-tannin red wine that adds a touch of sweetness to the pairing. Its fruity notes and slight fizz bring out the best in mozzarella, especially when served with classic Italian ingredients like olive oil and tomato.

When choosing a sparkling wine to pair with mozzarella, consider options with good acidity and complementary flavours. The crispness and brightness of the wine will enhance the cheese's mild and creamy texture. The bubbles and acidity of the wine will also help cleanse the palate, making each bite of mozzarella more enjoyable. Whether you choose a classic Champagne or explore the less conventional Lambrusco, sparkling wines offer an excellent way to elevate your mozzarella-based dishes.

Mozzarella and wine: reds

Mozzarella is a soft and rindless Italian cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. It is mild and creamy, with a smooth texture. When it comes to reds, there are several options that can be paired with mozzarella.

Firstly, a classic red wine that pairs well with mozzarella is Merlot. This full-bodied wine has fruity and robust flavours that complement the smooth and creamy texture of the cheese. Another classic option is Cabernet Sauvignon, which has bold flavours and firm tannins that can stand up to the richness of mozzarella. These wines also pair well with ingredients commonly found in Italian cuisine, such as olive oil and tomato, making them a great choice for a Caprese salad or Margherita pizza.

If you're looking for something a little less conventional, try a Valpolicella from Italy. This red wine is a favourite among some for its ability to complement the mild and creamy profile of mozzarella. It has a bright, citrusy profile with notes of fresh lemon, lime, and grapefruit, as well as a touch of almond. The wine's edge of almond adds an interesting contrast to the smooth texture of the cheese.

For a fizzy red wine option, Lambrusco is a great choice. This unoaked, low-tannin red is a perfect match for mozzarella, especially when served with dishes like Caprese salads or Margherita pizza. Its vibrant acidity and complementary flavours enhance the cheese's mild and creamy characteristics.

Mozzarella and wine: whites

Mozzarella is a soft, rindless Italian cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. It is known for its mild flavour and creamy texture. When it comes to wine, mozzarella is incredibly versatile, pairing well with both reds and whites.

Sauvignon Blanc

A classic, crisp, and refreshing white, Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice to accompany mozzarella. Its bright acidity and citrus notes complement the cheese's lactic flavour profile.

Pinot Grigio

Another Italian white wine, Pinot Grigio, is an excellent match for mozzarella. It offers a burst of citrus and green apple flavours, with good acidity to balance the creaminess of the cheese. Its light body and subtle floral notes create a refreshing and crisp pairing.

Greco di Tufo

Greco di Tufo is a white wine from Italy that is particularly well-suited to pairing with mozzarella. Its specific characteristics are not widely described, but it is mentioned as a favourite among wine and mozzarella enthusiasts.

Gavi

Gavi, made from the Cortese grape in Piemonte, Italy, is a superb match for mozzarella. It is known for its super-dry profile with notes of fresh lemon and honeydew melon. The light and crisp nature of Gavi complements the soft texture of mozzarella, while the orchard and stone fruit flavours add complexity to the pairing.

Vermentino

Vermentino, an Italian white wine, brings a bright, citrusy profile to the table. Its fresh lemon, lime, and grapefruit notes, along with its almond edge, create an interesting contrast to the smooth and creamy texture of mozzarella. The floral and tart green apple highlights in Vermentino make each bite refreshing and engaging.

White Saint-Joseph

For a less conventional choice, White Saint-Joseph from France offers a delightful pairing. This wine, made from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes, features rich, floral, and honeyed textures with fresh lemon, peach, and apricot flavours. The almond lift in the wine matches the creamy texture of mozzarella, while its refreshing qualities bring out the best in each bite.

Mozzarella and wine: popular flavour pairings

Mozzarella is a soft and rindless Italian cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. Its mild and creamy flavour profile and smooth texture make it a versatile cheese with a multitude of wine-pairing options.

White wines

Mozzarella pairs well with light and crisp white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Gavi. These wines have good acidity and complementary flavours that enhance the cheese. Vermentino, for example, has citrus and almond notes that elevate the cheese's simplicity, while Pinot Grigio's light body and green apple profile create a refreshing match. Gavi, a super-dry wine with orchard and stone fruit notes, adds a layer of complexity to the pairing. White Saint-Joseph from France is another less conventional but delightful pairing, with its rich texture and stone fruit flavours.

Red wines

For red wine lovers, mozzarella can be enjoyed with a variety of options, including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines complement the smooth and creamy texture of the cheese.

Sparkling wines

Mozzarella also pairs beautifully with dry sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco. These wines add a touch of elegance to the pairing and are perfect for a celebratory occasion.

Low-tannin reds

For those who prefer their reds on the lighter side, unoaked, low-tannin wines like Lambrusco are an excellent choice. The fizziness of Lambrusco adds a playful element to the pairing, making it perfect for summer days or festive gatherings.

Regional pairings

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed with both red and white wines, but for a classic Italian combination, pairing it with a light and crisp white wine is a safe bet. This could include a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. To elevate the pairing, serve the mozzarella with ingredients commonly found in Italian cuisine, such as olive oil, tomatoes, and basil. Whether it's a Caprese salad or a Margherita pizza, you'll be sure to enjoy a delicious and harmonious flavour experience.

Mozzarella and wine: acidity and complementary flavours

Mozzarella is a soft and rindless Italian cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. It is known for its mild flavour and creamy texture. When it comes to wine pairings, mozzarella is quite versatile and can be paired with both red and white wines. The key to a successful pairing is finding wines with good acidity and complementary flavours that enhance the cheese's mild and creamy profile.

White Wines

For a classic combination, opt for a light and crisp white wine. Pinot Grigio, an Italian white wine, is an excellent choice as it offers a burst of citrus and green apple flavours that align beautifully with mozzarella. Its good acidity balances the creaminess of the cheese, while the light body keeps the pairing clean and crisp. Another Italian favourite is Prosecco, a dry sparkling wine that adds a touch of elegance to the pairing. Its crisp and fruity notes complement the delicate richness of the mozzarella. Vermentino, an Italian white wine with bright, citrusy notes, is also a wonderful pairing. The fresh lemon, lime, and grapefruit flavours in Vermentino complement the creamy and mild flavours of the cheese, while the almond notes add an interesting contrast to the smooth texture of mozzarella. Gavi, made from the Cortese grape in Piemonte, Italy, is a super-dry white wine with notes of fresh lemon and honeydew melon. The light and crisp nature of Gavi complements the soft texture of mozzarella, while the orchard and stone fruit flavours add complexity to the pairing.

Red Wines

While mozzarella is more commonly paired with white wines, it can also be enjoyed with certain red wines. A light and crisp red wine like Merlot can be a delightful pairing. For those who prefer a bolder option, Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine that can stand up to the creamy texture of the cheese. Valpolicella, an Italian red wine, is another excellent choice for a red wine pairing with mozzarella.

Other Factors to Consider

When pairing wine with mozzarella, it is important to consider the dish as a whole. Mozzarella is often served with ingredients such as olive oil, tomato, and basil, which can also influence the wine selection. For example, the addition of tomato can make a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc an even more appealing choice.

Frequently asked questions