Kamil Perry
Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses in America, but what wine pairs best with it? The ideal wine to pair with cheddar depends on how mature the cheese is. Mild to medium cheddar is easier to match than an aged cloth-bound cheddar of 18 months or more. While many people automatically think of red wine with cheese, it can struggle with a sharp, well-matured cheddar. However, an intensely fruity Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon or a similar fruity Cabernet from South Australia can work well. For a delightful contrast in flavours, try Chardonnay, a crisp and fruity white wine, with mild cheddar or Colby Jack cheese. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese, making it less overwhelming on the palate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine | Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato, Pinot Noir, Montefalco Sagrantino, Grüner Veltliner, Merlot |
| Cheese | Mild Cheddar, Colby Jack, Sharp Cheddar, Aged Cheddar, Garlic Herb Cheddar |
| Notes | The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a balanced and harmonious taste. The goal is to find a cheese that complements the wine without overpowering it, and vice versa. |
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What You'll Learn
Chardonnay pairs well with mild cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
When it comes to wine and cheese, a harmonious pairing is one that complements each component without overpowering the other. While red wine is typically associated with cheese, the right wine for cheddar depends on its maturity. Aged cheddars, with their robust flavours, pair well with powerful red wines like Montefalco Sagrantino or intensely fruity Chilean Cabernet Sauvignons. However, for mild to medium cheddars, a different wine is needed to create a balanced taste experience.
Chardonnay, a white wine with a crisp and fruity flavour, pairs exceptionally well with mild cheddar or Colby Jack cheese. The acidity of the Chardonnay cuts through the richness of these mild cheeses, making the combination less overwhelming on the palate. The creamy texture of mild cheddar or Colby Jack blends seamlessly with the fruity notes of the Chardonnay, resulting in a harmonious and balanced taste. The smooth, buttery flavour of these cheeses beautifully complements the fruity undertones of the wine.
The mildness of the cheese allows the wine's fruitiness to shine through, creating a refreshing and pleasant contrast. This pairing is perfect for those who appreciate subtlety and nuance in their taste experiences. The crisp acidity of Chardonnay provides a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the cheese, making it an ideal match for an afternoon snack or pre-dinner appetiser.
For those who enjoy a bolder flavour profile, a Merlot is an excellent choice to pair with Garlic Herb Cheddar cheese. The dryness and fruitiness of the Merlot create a delightful contrast with the sharpness of the cheese, while the tannins in the wine cut through the fat content, resulting in a memorable flavour combination.
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Merlot is a good match for sharp or tangy garlic herb cheddar
When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, the ideal wine for cheddar depends on its maturity. While a mild to medium block cheddar is easier to match, a well-matured, sharp cheddar can be more challenging to pair with red wine. However, Merlot, a versatile red wine, is an exception and pairs delightfully with sharp or tangy garlic herb cheddar.
Merlot's dry fruitiness makes it an excellent choice for sharp or tangy cheeses. When paired with garlic herb cheddar, the wine's complex notes are beautifully complemented by the rich and bold flavour of the cheese. The sharpness of the cheddar, along with the garlic and herb flavours, adds an extra layer of taste that enhances the fruitiness of the Merlot. This creates a harmonious balance of flavours, making the pairing a delightful sensory experience.
The tannins present in Merlot also play a crucial role in this pairing. They help to cut through the fat in the cheese, resulting in a combination that is highly pleasing to the palate. This contrast in textures and flavours makes Merlot and garlic herb cheddar a memorable and enjoyable choice for wine and cheese enthusiasts.
While Merlot shines with sharper cheddars, Chardonnay, a white wine, is better suited for milder cheddars. The crisp and fruity Chardonnay pairs exceptionally well with mild cheddar or Colby Jack cheese. The wine's acidity balances the richness of the cheese, creating a harmonious and well-rounded taste experience. The smooth, buttery flavour of mild cheddar complements the fruity undertones of Chardonnay, making it a perfect pairing for a refreshing afternoon snack or pre-dinner appetiser.
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Moscato complements spicy cheese, like Pepper Jack
Moscato is a complex yet delicate wine with a signature sweet taste, bursting fruit aromas, and pleasant floral notes. It is a natural choice for appetisers and pairs exceptionally well with dessert or a plate of cheese. The key to pairing wine with food is balance, and since Moscato is a sweet wine, it goes well with foods that have an opposite flavour profile—salty, bitter, spicy, or even sour. This makes Moscato a great choice for spicy cheeses like Pepper Jack.
Pepper Jack is a semi-soft, creamy cheese that originated in California, USA. It is flavoured with rosemary, sweet peppers, garlic, and spicy jalapenos, giving it a buttery taste. When paired with Moscato, the wine's sweetness and fruitiness balance out the spice of the cheese, creating a delightful contrast of flavours. The floral notes in the Moscato also complement the creamy texture of the Pepper Jack, resulting in a harmonious pairing that enhances the overall taste experience.
In addition to Pepper Jack, Moscato pairs well with other spicy cheeses, such as Jalapeño Cheddar. The wine's aromatic and slightly sweet characteristics help to counterbalance the spiciness of these cheeses, creating a unique and memorable flavour profile. The acidity and astringency of Moscato further complement the creamy and pungent properties of spicy cheeses, showcasing the synergy of flavours that can be achieved through thoughtful wine and cheese pairings.
When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, personal taste plays a significant role. However, some guiding principles can enhance the overall experience. One suggestion is to pair sweet wines like Moscato with salty and creamy cheeses, as the contrast between sweet and salty flavours can be particularly pleasing to the palate. Additionally, choosing smooth and fatty cheeses for more acidic wines can result in a well-balanced pairing.
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Cabernet Sauvignon is a good match for aged cheddar
When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, the general rule is that the wine should complement the cheese without being overpowered by it, and vice versa. While mild to medium cheddars are easier to match, aged cheddars with their robust flavours call for a wine that can stand up to them. This is where Cabernet Sauvignon, specifically the intensely fruity variants from Chile and South Australia, comes into play.
Aged cheddars have strong, sharp flavours and higher fat content, which can be balanced by the tannins in Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine's tannins cut through the fat in the cheese, creating a pleasing sensory experience. Additionally, the acidity in Cabernet Sauvignon can complement the citrus notes in aged cheddar, resulting in a delightful contrast of flavours.
When pairing wine with aged cheddar, it's important to consider the cheese's characteristics. Aged cheddars, especially those aged for 18 months or more, have a powerful flavour profile comparable to that of Roquefort, Pecorino, or aged Gouda. This intensity demands a wine that can match its robust character. Cabernet Sauvignon, with its bold fruitiness, rises to the challenge.
However, it's worth noting that while Cabernet Sauvignon can be an excellent match for aged cheddar, it's not the only option. Other wines, such as Montefalco Sagrantino, an Umbrian wine with black fruit flavours and tannins, can also pair well with the cheese's herbal and grassy notes. Ultimately, the best wine and cheese pairings depend on personal preference, and experimentation is encouraged to find your favourite combinations.
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Grüner Veltliner is a good choice for cheddar's delicate side
Grüner Veltliner is a versatile wine that pairs well with almost any food, including cheddar cheese. While Sauvignon Blanc, with its citrus and tropical notes, can overwhelm cheddar's delicate side, Grüner Veltliner is a more subtle wine that allows the cheese's nuanced flavours to shine through.
Grüner Veltliner is a white wine that is commonly produced in Austria. It is known for its versatility and ability to complement a wide range of dishes. The wine typically has a crisp, dry, and refreshing profile, with flavours of citrus, stone fruit, and a hint of spice. These characteristics make it an excellent choice for pairing with mild cheddar cheese, especially milder varieties.
When it comes to cheddar cheese, there are various types, from mild to sharp, and aged. The ideal wine pairing depends on the maturity and intensity of the cheese. A mild to medium block cheddar, for example, may be easier to pair with wine than a sharp, well-matured cheddar. Grüner Veltliner's versatility shines here, as it can complement a range of cheddar cheeses.
For a mild or medium cheddar, Grüner Veltliner's crisp acidity and subtle fruit notes can provide a delightful contrast to the cheese's creamy texture. The wine's dryness can also help balance the richness of the cheese, creating a harmonious pairing. Additionally, Grüner Veltliner's subtle spice notes can enhance the cheese's savoury characteristics without overwhelming them.
While aged cheddars with powerful flavours may call for bolder wines, Grüner Veltliner can still be a good choice, especially if you want to highlight the cheese's delicate side. The wine's crispness can cut through the fat in the cheese, and its subtle flavours can provide a refreshing contrast to the cheese's intensity. Overall, Grüner Veltliner is a versatile and food-friendly wine that can complement the range of flavours and textures found in different types of cheddar cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Chardonnay, a crisp and fruity white wine, pairs well with mild cheddar. The acidity of the wine cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a balanced and harmonious taste.
Aged cheddars with bold flavours pair well with equally powerful wines like Montefalco Sagrantino, an inky Umbrian wine with jammy black fruit and tingly tannins.
A Merlot is a great choice to pair with garlic herb cheddar. The dryness and fruitiness of the wine complement the sharpness of the cheese, and the tannins in the wine cut through the fat.
For dishes like mac 'n' cheese, grilled sandwiches, Welsh rarebit, and fondue, an English sparkling wine is a good choice to pay homage to cheddar's roots.
Grüner Veltliner, a wine from Austria that goes well with almost any food, can be paired with cheddar. Its citrus and tropical notes can bring out the delicate, herbal, and grassy notes in cheddar.
