The best way to figure out what works is to explore and let your taste buds guide you when it comes to wine pairing. However, having some guidelines is valuable. Here are some general guidelines for making the best cheese and wine duos to get you started.
Why this duo works well?
Winemaking and cheese making have coevolved for centuries, so it’s no great shock that this food and drink pairing works so well. Both frequently require years of aging to reach maturity and optimum flavor, both necessitate careful nurturing by artisan producers, and both are often produced in similar terroir. So I recommend you to shortlist all the necessary products for pairing, and buy wine online, and other products for various pairings.
You could say wine and cheese have a yin and yang relationship. Cheese is high in fat. Wine has a strong flavor. However, these polar opposites attract, resulting in a magical marriage of flavor and texture. And it appears that scientists have figured out why these two work so well together.
You could say wine and cheese have a yin and yang relationship. Cheese is high in fat. Wine has a strong flavor. However, these polar opposites attract, culminating in a magical marriage of flavor profiles. And it appears that scientists have figured out why these two work so well together.
Pairing Tips for starters
Beware of tannins
Scientists believe that tannins in grape skin and seeds evolved as a survival tactic against wild animals eating them. Tannins in red wines cause the most problems with cheese, so pair with caution.
Heavy with heavy, light with light
When it comes to texture and flavor, the rule of “like passes with such” can be a good guideline. Aged cheddar pairs well with full white wines like Chardonnay and tannic red wines. Fresh, delicate cheeses, on the other hand, pair well with youthful, fruitier wines.
Opposites attract
Lime and black pepper, chocolate, and chilies are just a few examples of how opposite tastes seem to be made for each other. A tangy Sauvignon Blanc wine pairs marvelously with buttery fresh cheeses, as does a luscious pairing of a sweet Moscato wine and salty Stilton or Italian Parmesan.
Comradeship
Terroir refers to the environment (including soil and climate) in which wines grow. The same principle applies to cheese. As a result, linking wine and cheese from the same region can be interesting. Brunello and Pecorino di Pienza from Tuscany and Sancerre and chèvre from France are two popular terroir-based pairings.
Malbec and Edam
The pairing of Edam’s nutty flavors and Malbec’s velvety fruit is one that almost anyone can enjoy. The wine and cheese are both flavorful and aromatic without being overpowering, culminating in a parallel combination of complex flavors.
Substitutes:
- Shiraz and Gouda
- Monastrell and Tomme
- Blaufränkisch
- Abbaye de Belloc
Vermentino and Fiore Sardo
Fiore Sardo, a nutty sheep’s cheese, pairs well with the more oily texture of Vermentino. Each has saline flavors that assure they only complement each other, with Vermentino’s citrus notes adding a fruity salinity to the lipid character of a sheep’s milk cheese like Fiore Sardo (aka Pecorino Sardo).
- Soave and Mascarpone
- Grechetto and Fromage Blanc
- Verdicchio and Requesón.
Chianti Classico and Pecorino Toscano
Another great “grows together, goes together” pairing is the hard, aged texture of Pecorino with the booming tannins of Chianti Classico. The spiced ancillary notations in a Chianti bring out a secret herbal taste in the cheese, with the wine’s black fruit standing up to the vigor of the Pecorino.
Substitutes:
- Sangiovese and Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Grana Padano
Riesling and Raclette
Raclette, which really is smooth and buttery, is a mellow and versatile cheese that pairs well with the high acidity and stone fruit flavors of a Riesling. The aromatic aromas of the German classic bring out a subtle and unexpected nuttiness in a good quality Havarti cheese. Consider a Kabinett or off-dry Riesling to keep the sweetness from overpowering the cheese.
Substitutes:
- NZ Sauvignon Blanc and Mild Cheddar
- Silvaner and Raclette
- Gewürztraminer and Edam.
Provence Rosé and Havarti
A Provence Rosé’s crisp, red fruit is delicious but delicate, and the mellow flavor of a Havarti complements the wine gracefully without overwhelming it. Furthermore, the steely minerality of a Provence Rosé starkly contrasts with the smooth, soft texture of the cheese.
Substitutes:
- Pinot Noir Rosé and Fontina
- Sangiovese Rosé and Mozzarella
- Rosado and Ricotta.
How to Choose the Best Cheeses for Your Wine
Blue Cheeses
Blue cheese is a flavorful cheese that can be sweet, like Gorgonzola, or sharp, like Cabrales. In a broad sense, red wines do not go well with blue cheese. Why? Because the salt content and richness of the cheese mask the wine’s aroma and complexity. The acidity and tang of the blue also intensify the tannins in the wine, leaving it tasting flat.
If you’ve never had a blue cheese like Valdeon with sweet wine, you’re in for a treat. When paired with honeyed wine, this spicy and slightly pungent cheese makes for an unusually harmonious match.
Semi-Hard Cheeses
Cheeses in this category are identified by their relatively subtle taste and aroma, having matured in less than half a year. When served alongside bold wines, the diverse textures and flavourings of cheeses such as Gouda, Manchego, Havarti, Provolone, and Edam demonstrate their full diversity.
Hard Cheeses
Vintage cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Asiago seem to be hard cheeses with intense nutty aromas and a crunchy bite. A bold and full-bodied red wine complements everything great about aged cheeses.
Passito dessert wines, which soften these robust cheeses, are ideal for cheese lovers who enjoy contrasting aromas and flavours.
Fresh, Unripened Cheeses
Unripened tangy cheeses are frequently infused with chilli, herbs, fruits, and spices. Feta, ricotta, mascarpone, and mozzarella are examples of this type of cheese.
Wine and cheese are one of the most iconic and noteworthy pairings. You should try wine, beer, cheese, and jerky pairings that will wow anyone. For years, the two have collaborated to create an opulent, luxurious experience that never disappoints. From the first sip of red or white wine to the last bite of cheese; you’ll be in total bliss.
