Wine and cheese have been a pairing that has been part of European cuisines for centuries…both wine and cheese were important long- lived food items (yes, people drank wine for calories, and it was safer than water). Because fat and salt enhance the flavors and sensations of wine, cheese + wine creates an experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. The wine taste better and the cheese taste better when consumed together.
Tips for Pairing Wine and Cheese
- Because they were created to work together, pairing wines and cheeses from the same region is generally the best and easiest place to start wine and cheese combinations. At a recent wine tasting I paired a crisp, acidici Jacquere from Savoie, France with the creamy local Tomme de Savoie cheese and it was excellent!
- Consider the ingredients and the dominant flavors and if they will pair well. For example, Sauvignon Blanc has citrus and green flavors often, paired with acidity, and is light, so pairs well with the fuller body and sweet, milky flavors of soft goat cheese.
- The harder types of cheese can handle red wines with more tannins. For example, an Italian Chianti pairs well with Parmesan.
- Creamy cheeses, such as Brie, typically pair better with wines that have more acidity, like a Chardonnay, as the acidity cuts through the fat.
- Because sweet + salty is a flavor combination we humans love, salty cheeses complement a sweet wine (classic parings are Stilton Blue Cheese and Port, or a Roquefort with Sauternes).
A Few Easy Wine and Cheese Pairings
Chardonnay: Brie, Camembert, goat cheese, Gouda, Gruyere, Parmesan, Provolone
Pinot Gris/Grigio: Cheddar, Asiago, Edam, goat cheese, Gouda, Mozzarella
Beaujolais: Brie, Camembert, goat cheese
Merlot: Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Parmesan
Cabernet Sauvignon: Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Parmesan, Blue cheese, Roquefort
Experimenting is ok too, as is pairing your favorite cheese with your favorite wine. There is no right or wrong, but some flavors do just mix well together.
Want to learn more about wine and cheese parings? Attend one of our Wine and Cheese Events – check our Events Calendar for the next one.
Cheers!
