Randy Chandler
Provolone cheese is a semi-hard, semi-soft, mild, and nutty Italian cheese. It is made from cow's milk and is aged, resulting in two main varieties: Provolone Dolce and Provolone Piccante. When it comes to wine, Provolone pairs well with a variety of options, including Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Chardonnay. The choice of wine depends on the specific variety of Provolone and personal preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine type | Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Unoaked Chardonnay, Roero Arneis, Cortese di Gavi, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Prosecco, Sangiovese, Beaujolais, Pinot Noir |
| Wine characteristics | Crisp acidity, light citrus notes, ripe fruit flavours, soft tannins, balance of acidity, touch of richness, high acidity, sweetness |
| Cheese type | Provolone Dolce, Provolone Piccante |
| Cheese characteristics | Semi-hard, mild, nutty, dense, moist, sharp, tangy |
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What You'll Learn
- Pinot Grigio: Its crisp acidity and light citrus notes can provide a refreshing contrast
- Merlot: A medium-bodied red with ripe fruit flavours and soft tannins
- Unoaked Chardonnay: Balances acidity with a touch of richness, complementing the creamy texture of provolone
- Sangiovese: A dry rosé wine that goes well with the firm texture of provolone
- Light Beaujolais: A fruity red that enhances provolone's nutty notes without being overpowering
Pinot Grigio: Its crisp acidity and light citrus notes can provide a refreshing contrast
When it comes to wine, Provolone Dolce's versatility lies in its simplicity. The wine you choose should not overwhelm its delicate flavours while also refreshing the palate between bites. Provolone Dolce has a mild, milky flavour with nutty notes and a dense, moist texture.
Pinot Grigio is an excellent choice to pair with Provolone cheese. Its crisp acidity and light citrus notes can provide a refreshing contrast to the mild and nutty flavours of the cheese. The wine's acidity will help to cut through the richness of the cheese, while its light body won't overpower the subtle flavours.
Pinot Grigio, with its refreshing qualities, is a perfect match for Provolone Dolce, enhancing the overall tasting experience. The wine's crisp acidity will balance the cheese's density, while its light citrus notes will complement the nutty flavours of Provolone. This combination will create a delightful contrast, making for a pleasant and well-rounded tasting experience.
When serving Provolone cheese with Pinot Grigio, it is recommended to allow the cheese to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. This will bring the cheese to the ideal temperature for tasting, similar to the conditions in which it was aged. For the wine, a medium-sized white wine glass is suggested; avoid glasses with too slim or wide a rim.
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Merlot: A medium-bodied red with ripe fruit flavours and soft tannins
Provolone cheese is a semi-hard, semi-soft, mild, and nutty Italian cheese. It is made from cow's milk and is aged, resulting in two main varieties: Provolone Dolce and Provolone Piccante. When it comes to wine pairings, a Merlot is an excellent choice for Provolone cheese. Here's why:
Merlot is a medium-bodied red wine known for its ripe fruit flavours and soft tannins. Its characteristics make it a perfect match for Provolone cheese. The soft tannins of Merlot complement the creaminess of Provolone without overwhelming its subtle flavours. The ripe fruit flavours of Merlot also enhance the overall tasting experience, creating a delightful combination.
When selecting a Merlot to pair with Provolone, look for one that is fruit-forward with soft, smooth tannins. The wine should be well-balanced, showcasing its ripe fruit characteristics without being too intense or overpowering. A good Merlot will have flavours of dark cherries, plums, and berries, with subtle notes of spice and earth. These flavours will marry well with the nutty, salty, and tangy flavours of Provolone cheese.
The key to a successful pairing is to find a Merlot that will complement the cheese without overpowering its delicate flavours. The wine should refresh the palate between bites of cheese, providing a harmonious tasting experience. Additionally, consider the weight of the wine. Provolone cheese, being a cow's milk cheese, has a certain density of flavour and fattiness. Therefore, a Merlot with a bit of acidity and a bit of richness will create a well-rounded pairing.
When creating a cheese and wine pairing, it is essential to consider the intensity of both the cheese and the wine. In the case of Provolone and Merlot, the combination works because neither overpowers the other. The mildness of Provolone Dolce or the sharper notes of Provolone Piccante are balanced by the fruity flavours and soft tannins of Merlot.
In summary, when enjoying Provolone cheese, a medium-bodied Merlot with ripe fruit flavours and soft tannins is an ideal choice. The wine's characteristics enhance the cheese's nutty, salty, and tangy flavours, creating a delightful and well-balanced tasting experience. Remember to experiment and find a Merlot that best suits your palate and the specific type of Provolone you are savouring.
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Unoaked Chardonnay: Balances acidity with a touch of richness, complementing the creamy texture of provolone
Provolone cheese is a versatile and ubiquitous cheese that pairs well with a variety of wines. When selecting a wine to pair with provolone cheese, it is important to consider the cheese's creamy texture and mild, nutty flavour. An unoaked Chardonnay is an excellent choice as it strikes a perfect balance between acidity and richness, complementing the provolone cheese without overwhelming it.
Chardonnay, one of the most popular white wines in the world, has undergone a transformation in recent years, moving away from the rich, buttery, and creamy profiles that dominated the wine scene. The unoaked variety, in particular, has emerged as a restrained version, showcasing the wine's versatility. By forgoing oak aging, this style of Chardonnay retains the crisp apple, pear, and tropical fruit notes that are characteristic of the varietal, while avoiding the overpowering oak flavours of vanilla and baking spices found in more traditional renditions.
When paired with provolone cheese, an unoaked Chardonnay creates a harmonious combination. The acidity in the wine provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy texture of the cheese, while the touch of richness in the Chardonnay complements the mild, nutty flavours of the provolone without overpowering its subtlety. This balance is key to a successful pairing, ensuring that neither the cheese nor the wine dominates the other.
In addition to Chardonnay, other wine varieties that complement provolone cheese include Pinot Grigio, which offers crisp acidity and light citrus notes, and Merlot, a medium-bodied red wine with ripe fruit flavours and soft tannins. When it comes to crackers, rosemary and olive oil, garlic and herb, or sourdough crackers can enhance the provolone cheese experience, adding savoury notes that pair well with the cheese's nutty flavour.
Ultimately, the choice of wine and accompaniments depends on personal preference. However, by understanding the characteristics of provolone cheese and the qualities of different wines, you can create a well-rounded and delightful cheese board that showcases the versatility and flavour of provolone.
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Sangiovese: A dry rosé wine that goes well with the firm texture of provolone
Sangiovese is a dry, light to medium-bodied red wine that is grown in Tuscany, California, and Australia. It is Italy's most widely planted red grape variety and is used to make a wide variety of wines, including Chianti. Sangiovese has a distinct flavour profile that ranges from rustic to fruity, with cherry, plum, and red currant notes, as well as smoky and earthy herbaceousness. It also exhibits savory characteristics like spicy oak-induced nuances, peppery tones, and even streaks of sweet tobacco.
When it comes to pairing Sangiovese with provolone cheese, the wine's dry and textured style complements the firm texture of provolone. Provolone, like mozzarella, is a pulled or stretched curd cheese with two varieties: Dolce and Piccante. Dolce, or mild Provolone, is aged for just two to three months and has a semi-soft, mild, and smooth texture. On the other hand, Piccante is aged for six to twelve months, resulting in a stronger flavour.
The dry, rosé style of Sangiovese pairs well with the firm texture of provolone. The wine's savoury tannins and sour cherry fruit notes create a delightful contrast to the mild and nutty flavours of the cheese. The cranberry and strawberry aromas, along with the juicy raspberry and sour cherry flavours of the wine, enhance the overall tasting experience.
When serving provolone with Sangiovese, consider adding some complementary foods to create a well-rounded cheese board. Spicy, salty condiments like olives, roasted red peppers, chargrilled artichokes, and spicy chili jams or chutneys pair well with the cheese. Cured meats, marinated vegetables, and crackers can also be added to the board to elevate the tasting experience.
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Light Beaujolais: A fruity red that enhances provolone's nutty notes without being overpowering
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese with a nutty, mild, and salty flavour. It is made from cow's milk and is aged, resulting in two main varieties: Provolone Dolce and Provolone Piccante. When it comes to wine pairings, a light-bodied red like Beaujolais is an excellent choice. Beaujolais is a fruity red wine that enhances Provolone's nutty notes without overpowering its delicate flavour.
Beaujolais wine is produced in the Beaujolais region of France, just south of Burgundy. The region has a long history of winemaking, with the Gamay grape being the key varietal used in Beaujolais wines. Beaujolais wines are known for their bright, fruity flavours, with notes of tart cranberry and cherry. These flavours complement the nutty and milky characteristics of Provolone cheese.
When pairing Provolone with Beaujolais, look for a lighter-style Beaujolais, such as a Beaujolais Villages or a Beaujolais Nouveau. These styles tend to be more delicate and less tannic, making them ideal for pairing with the cheese. The crisp, fruity notes of Beaujolais will refresh the palate between bites of Provolone, while the wine's subtle richness will enhance the cheese's nutty flavour without overwhelming it.
For a successful pairing, it is essential to consider the temperature at which the cheese and wine are served. Ideally, Provolone should be served at room temperature, allowing its flavours to shine. Regarding the wine, a light Beaujolais should be served slightly chilled, at around 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range ensures the wine is cool enough to refresh the palate without muting its flavours.
When creating a cheese board with Provolone and Beaujolais, consider adding complementary crackers and condiments. Rosemary and olive oil crackers, or sourdough crackers, can provide a nice contrast to the creaminess of the cheese. As for condiments, spicy, salty options such as olives, roasted red peppers, or chargrilled artichokes will enhance the overall tasting experience.
In conclusion, when looking for a wine to pair with Provolone cheese, a light-bodied, fruity Beaujolais is an excellent choice. Its crisp, refreshing notes will complement the cheese's nutty flavour, while its subtle richness will enhance the tasting experience without being overpowering. With careful selection and attention to serving temperatures, the pairing of Provolone cheese and Beaujolais wine can be a delightful combination.
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Frequently asked questions
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese known for its sharp and tangy flavour. It is typically made from cow's milk and is aged, resulting in two main varieties: Provolone Dolce and Provolone Piccante.
Provolone cheese pairs well with various wines, including Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Chardonnay. If you're enjoying Provolone Dolce, a lighter wine is recommended, such as an Italian white wine like Roero Arneis, Cortese di Gavi, or Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.
Provolone cheese is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many ways. It is often used for melting, making it suitable for sandwiches, grilled cheese, pizzas, and Italian dishes like lasagna and baked pasta. It can also be enjoyed on its own or with bread, crackers, or fruit. When serving provolone on a cheeseboard, consider adding spicy, salty condiments like olives, roasted red peppers, chargrilled artichokes, and spicy chili jams or chutneys.
Provolone cheese is made from cow's milk with added natural whey and rennet to form the curd. The curd is then cut and separated twice, drained of excess whey, and shaped into tightly woven rondures to remove air bubbles. The cheese is then brined, cooled, and hung to rest and mature for at least two months.
