Kamil Perry
Parmesan cheese, or the Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of wines. Its intense aromas and flavours of fruit, nuts, butter and hay, along with its granular texture, make it a great match for both white and red wines, still or sparkling. So, what are the best wine and Parmesan pairings?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Parmigiano-Reggiano, Parmesan |
| Wine type | Red, White, Sparkling |
| Wine varieties | Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Pinot Grigio, Collio, Friuli Colli Orientali, Corvina, Barbera, Gamay, Amarone della Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Vin Santo, Chianti, Chardonnay, Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel |
| Cheese texture | Hard |
| Cheese flavour | Intense aromas and flavours of fruit, nuts, butter and hay |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Parmigiano-Reggiano is a versatile cheese that pairs well with white or red wine
When it comes to white wine, Parmigiano-Reggiano can be paired with crisp and rich varieties such as Marsanne, Roussanne, and Pinot Grigio from Collio or Friuli Colli Orientali. These wines complement the cheese's fruity and nutty notes while refreshing the palate. For a sparkling option, a slightly sweet Lambrusco—the traditional wine of the Parmigiano-Reggiano region—offers a delightful combination of red and sparkling wine characteristics. Its slight sweetness balances the saltiness of the cheese.
Moving on to red wines, fruity and acidic varieties with low tannins are excellent choices. Wines made from Corvina, Barbera, or Gamay grapes are ideal, as their high acidity and low tannin content complement the cheese's savoury, flavour-enhancing qualities. Another classic pairing is Amarone della Valpolicella, which offers a concentrated blend of fruit and power that pairs beautifully with Parmigiano-Reggiano, much like balsamic vinegar does.
Additionally, when served as a cheese course before dessert, Parmigiano-Reggiano is delightful with Vin Santo, especially when paired with more aged wheels of cheese. The sweetness of Vin Santo contrasts wonderfully with the salty, nutty cheese.
Casein in Parmesan: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Try a Sauvignon Blanc with Parmesan
Parmesan cheese, or more accurately, Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of wines, including whites and reds, still or sparkling. When considering which wine to pair with this cheese, it is good to remember that harder cheeses like Parmesan can handle more tannic wines. Parmesan has intense aromas and flavours of fruit, nuts, butter and hay, and its high glutamate content produces a savoury, flavour-enhancing quality.
A Sauvignon Blanc is a great wine to pair with Parmesan. Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine that is known for its crisp, dry, and refreshing profile. It often has aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, and grass, with a hint of herbal or mineral notes. The crispness and acidity of Sauvignon Blanc complement the savoury, nutty, and fruity flavours of Parmesan. The wine's citrus and tropical fruit notes can also enhance the cheese's subtle fruity nuances.
When serving Parmesan with Sauvignon Blanc, it is recommended to consider the cheese's texture. Parmesan is a hard cheese that can be flaked or grated. The cheese's granular texture adds a pleasant mouthfeel, and the flakes or shavings can easily be paired with a variety of dishes or enjoyed on their own.
For a classic pairing, consider serving Parmesan with a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France. This combination of a French wine and a prestigious Italian cheese will create an elegant and sophisticated experience. The Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs are known for their crispness and mineral notes, which will beautifully offset the savoury and nutty flavours of the Parmesan.
Additionally, when serving Parmesan with Sauvignon Blanc, you can enhance the experience by including complementary foods. Fresh or dried fruits, such as apples, pears, or grapes, can further accentuate the fruity notes in both the wine and the cheese. Crackers or bread can provide a neutral base, allowing the flavours of the cheese and wine to shine through.
In summary, when considering a wine pairing for Parmesan cheese, a Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice. The crisp, dry, and refreshing nature of the wine complements the savoury, nutty, and fruity flavours of the cheese. By serving Parmesan with a Sauvignon Blanc, you create a delightful sensory experience that showcases the best of both the wine and the cheese.
Mold on Parmesan Cheese: What Color Is It?
You may want to see also
Chardonnay is a good pairing with creamy cheeses
Chardonnay is a versatile white wine that pairs well with various cheeses, including creamy varieties. The key to successful pairings is matching the intensity and texture of the wine and cheese. Chardonnay's flavour profile ranges from full-bodied and creamy with tropical fruit notes to lighter, saltier, and more herbal styles. When aged in oak barrels, Chardonnay takes on buttery and vanilla notes.
Higher-acid, oaked Chardonnays pair well with creamy, high-acid goat cheeses, such as Humboldt Fog and Pennyroyal Laychee. These wines can also complement the creaminess of Brie, a soft cow's milk cheese with a strong aroma and plenty of flavours. For a more intense flavour, blue cheese can be paired with oaked Chardonnay, as the wine's acidity will cut through the creaminess of the cheese.
Medium-bodied, high-acid Chardonnays with balanced fruit and mineral notes pair well with creamy or semi-hard cheeses that are not too salty or tangy. Examples include La Tur, an Italian mixed-milk creamy cheese, and Challerhocker, a Swiss cheese. A riper, richer, more fruit-forward Chardonnay will also complement rich, buttery triple-crèmes.
Lighter-style Chardonnays, such as the 2015 Chablis Chardonnay, can be paired with creamy cheeses for a light, almost sweet combination. Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnays bring out the fruity flavours and are best paired with milder, creamier cheeses such as mozzarella or feta.
Kraft Parmesan Cheese: Kosher or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Salty cheeses go well with sweet wines
Salty cheeses, such as Parmesan, go well with sweet wines. Parmigiano-Reggiano, the real Parmesan cheese, is a versatile cheese that can be paired with both red and white wines, still or sparkling. For reds, fruity wines with high acidity and low tannins are a good choice, such as those made from Corvina, Barbera, or Gamay. A classic pairing is Amarone della Valpolicella, which offers a concentrated fruit and power blend that complements the cheese.
On the white wine side, crisp and rich varieties like Marsanne, Roussanne, and Pinot Grigio from Collio or Friuli Colli Orientali are delicious picks. A Sauvignon Blanc is also a good option, especially if the cheese is served with dishes like pasta or risotto. If you're looking for a sparkling wine, a not-too-dry option can balance the salt and refresh the palate, bringing out the underlying richness of the milk. Lambrusco, the wine of the Parmigiano-Reggiano region, combines the best of both red and sparkling wine.
When it comes to other salty cheeses, a few classic pairings include Blue Cheese with Port, and a salty-sweet combo of dessert wine with a crumble of blue cheese. Salty cheeses like Parmesan can also handle more tannic wines due to their harder texture. So, the next time you're looking to pair a salty cheese with a wine, consider reaching for a sweeter wine option to complement the saltiness of the cheese.
Parmesan Cheese: Room Temperature Storage Risks
You may want to see also
Local traditions suggest matching wines and cheeses from the same region
For example, Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with goat cheese from the Loire Valley in France. Chardonnay is a good match for Époisses de Bourgogne from Burgundy, France. Garnacha is a suitable choice for Manchego from Spain. Chardonnay also pairs well with cheddar, and a crisp, high-acid unoaked Chardonnay is recommended for fresh goat cheese.
Pinot Noir, a versatile red, pairs well with Camembert, which has a creamy body and similar earth tones. A light-to-medium-bodied Pinot from Burgundy or Oregon State is recommended. Alternatively, a full-bodied Californian Pinot Noir is a good match for a semi-hard cheese like Munster or Fontina.
Other classic examples include Chardonnay with a buttery cheddar, and tawny port with Stilton.
Is Parmesan Cheese Halal? What Muslims Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Parmesan cheese, is quite versatile and can be paired with both red and white wines. Some recommended wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Pinot Grigio.
Yes, you can try pairing Parmesan with wines from the same region, such as an Italian Chianti, which is known to pair well with potent Parmesan.
Absolutely, sparkling wines can also complement Parmesan cheese. A slightly sweet, not-too-dry sparkling wine can balance the saltiness of the cheese and refresh the palate. Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine from the Parmigiano-Reggiano region, is a classic choice.
While personal preference may vary, it is generally recommended to avoid overly sweet or dessert wines with Parmesan cheese, as the sugar can accentuate the saltiness of the cheese in a negative way.
Yes, the age and quality of the Parmesan can make a difference. For example, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano is often enjoyed as a cheese course before dessert and can be paired with a Vin Santo, an Italian dessert wine.
