Frederic Melton
Blue cheese is a strong flavour that can be tricky to match with wine, but there are some classic combinations that are sure to impress. The most famous pairings are Port and Stilton, and Roquefort and Sauternes. In general, blue cheese pairs well with wines that have a touch of sweetness or at least some fruitiness to balance the salty, strong flavour of the cheese. When it comes to reds, a simple, fruity red without too much tannin is a safe bet with milder blue cheeses. For stronger blues, a full-bodied, bold red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz can stand up to the robust flavour. For white wines, a dry Riesling or a crisp, medium-bodied wine can work well, and for dessert wines, a Torcolato from Breganze is a good choice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine type | Sweet wines, dessert wines, fortified wines, dry white wines, red wines |
| Wine variety | Port, Sauternes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Italian reds, Madeira, Sherry, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Vinho Verde |
| Flavour notes | Sweet, fruity, dry, crisp, acidic, salty |
| Cheese type | Blue cheese, Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Bleu d'Auvergne, Barkham Blue, Cabrales |
| Food pairings | Salads, steak, burgers, pizza, pasta, gnocchi, pear and endive salad |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Wines to pair with milder blue cheeses
Milder blue cheeses are versatile and can be paired with a variety of wines. A simple, fruity red wine without too much tannin is a safe bet. A few examples of reds that can accompany milder blue cheeses are Zinfandel, southern Italian reds like Negroamaro or Nero d'Avola, and Rhône wines. Milder blue cheeses also pair well with oaked Chardonnays, which have melon, tropical, and citrus flavours that harmonize with the blue vein.
If you're looking for a white wine to pair with milder blue cheeses, you can't go wrong with a smooth Italian white like Gavi di Gavi, or a floral Portuguese Vinho Verde. A dry Riesling or a Sauvignon-Semillon blend can also complement these cheeses.
When it comes to fortified wines, a medium-dry Amontillado or Oloroso Sherry, or a sweet Madeira, can be a delightful pairing with milder blue cheeses.
For a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese, a glass of crisp, bright bubbles, such as a Brut Rosé, can cleanse your palate.
So, while stronger blue cheeses may require more specific wine types, milder blue cheeses offer a wide range of wine pairing possibilities to explore and enjoy.
Best Stores for Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
You may want to see also
Wines to pair with stronger blue cheeses
Stronger blue cheeses are notoriously tricky to match with wine, and a bad pairing can result in some harsh flavour combinations. The general rule is that the stronger the blue cheese, the bigger and sweeter the wine should be.
Port is a classic pairing with blue cheese, and is particularly well-suited to Stilton. The saltiness of the cheese is said to enhance the wine's natural sweetness, creating a delicious flavour combination. Another classic pairing is Sauternes with Roquefort. As with Port and Stilton, swapping these two cheeses is not recommended, as this can create metallic off-flavours. Other sweet wines that work well with Roquefort include Monbazillac and Cadillac.
When it comes to red wines, a full-bodied, bold red can stand up to the robust flavour of blue cheese. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are good options, with their big fruits, tannin and refreshing acidity providing a delicious contrast to the richness of the cheese. For blue cheese-topped steak, Hook from Wine Enthusiast recommends going for the "biggest red wine you have". Other reds that work well with blue cheese include Zinfandel and Rhône wines.
If you're looking for a white wine to pair with stronger blue cheeses, a dry Riesling is a good option, as it carries enough fruit sweetness and acidity to cut through the creamy, crumbly cheese. A floral Portuguese Vinho Verde or a minerally Viognier are also recommended by Hook for a blue cheese salad.
A Tasty Treat: Stuffing Blue Cheese Olives at Home
You may want to see also
Wines to pair with blue cheese on a salad
Blue cheese is a strong flavour that can be tricky to match with wine. When pairing wine with blue cheese, it is important to consider the acidity of the cheese and the sweetness of the wine. A wine with a touch of sweetness can offset the bitterness of the veining in blue cheese.
For a blue cheese salad, a crisp, medium-bodied white wine is a good choice. The saltiness of the cheese will complement the vinaigrette in the salad. A Portuguese Vinho Verde or a minerally Viognier are good options to pair with a blue cheese salad, as suggested by Hook, a wine enthusiast.
If you are looking for a red wine to pair with your blue cheese salad, a medium-bodied red can work well with more mellow blue cheeses. Try a southern Italian red like a Negroamaro or Nero d'Avola, or a Zinfandel. A full-bodied, bold red can also stand up to the robust flavour of blue cheese, so a Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz could be a good choice.
For a classic pairing, Sauternes is often paired with Roquefort, and Stilton is typically paired with Port. However, a softer, creamier Tawny Port is a better option with Stilton.
The Delicious World of Roka Blue Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Wines to pair with blue cheese on a burger or steak
Blue cheese is a strong flavour, and its saltiness and tang can be offset by a sweet or fruity wine. A wine with residual sugar will complement the blue cheese well. A dry Riesling, for example, will have just enough fruit sweetness and acidity to cut through the creamy, crumbly cheese.
When it comes to a burger or steak with blue cheese, a full-bodied red wine is a good choice. A hearty red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec will stand up to the robust flavour of the blue cheese. A southern Italian red like a Negroamaro or Nero d'Avola is another good option. For a blue cheese-topped steak, a big, bold red wine is a must.
If you're looking for a more classic pairing, you could try a Port with Stilton or a Sauternes with Roquefort. These are two famous combinations that are hard to beat. A softer, creamier Tawny Port is a great option with Stilton, while there are numerous similar sweet wines that go with Roquefort, such as Monbazillac or Cadillac.
Other red wine options that can handle blue cheese include Zinfandel and Shiraz. A Rhône wine or California Cabernet also pairs well with blue cheese, especially the milder Bleu d'Auvergne, a cow's milk blue from France.
While blue cheese can be a challenge to pair with wine, these suggestions will ensure a delicious contrast of flavours.
Goat Cheese and Blue Cheese: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Wines to avoid pairing with blue cheese
When it comes to blue cheese, it is a well-known fact that it can be a tricky food to pair with wine. While some combinations can be delightful, choosing the wrong wine can result in some harsh flavours.
Firstly, it is important to note that blue cheese should be avoided when consuming seafood. Blue cheese can easily overpower more delicate fish or shellfish, except for mussels, which are often served "au bleu". Thus, wines that are typically paired with seafood, such as those that are very dry, should be avoided when eating blue cheese. This includes dry Rieslings, which are known to fall short when paired with blue cheese.
Additionally, when consuming stronger blue cheeses, it is best to avoid most Sauvignon Blancs, dry Rieslings, and Italian whites, as these wines may clash with the robust flavour of the cheese. Instead, stronger blue cheeses pair well with specific wine types, such as Sauternes with Roquefort, or Stilton with Port. It is worth noting that serving Port with Roquefort or Sauternes with Stilton can create metallic off-flavours, so it is best to stick to the traditional pairings for these cheeses.
When it comes to salads topped with blue cheese, it is generally advised to avoid full-bodied red wines, as they may not complement the other ingredients in the salad. Instead, opt for a floral Portuguese Vinho Verde or a minerally Viognier to complement the blue cheese and the salad components harmoniously.
Blue Cheese and FODMAP: What's the Lowdown?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Wines with a touch of sweetness work well with blue cheese. The tang, salt and bitterness of the blue cheese can be offset by a dessert or fortified wine. A dry riesling should also carry enough fruit sweetness and acidity to cut through the creamy, crumbly mouthful of blue cheese.
Two classic pairings are Sauternes with Roquefort, and Stilton with Port.
Avoid wines that are very dry and typically paired with seafood. Dry Rieslings, in particular, fall short when it comes to blues.
