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Wine to Pair with Cheese

Pairing wine with cheese can elevate a simple gathering into a memorable event. Both wine and cheese have profiles that can either complement or contrast with each other, creating delightful experiences on the palate. Understanding key principles for pairing will make the process enjoyable and less intimidating.

Bearing in Mind the Basics

Cheese and wine share some fundamental characteristics. Both can be mild or intense, sweet or savory, young or aged. Here are a few fundamental pairing principles:

• Match Intensity: A strong cheese pairs well with a robust wine, while a mild cheese prefers a lighter wine.
• Acidity: Acidic wines clean the palate between bites of rich cheeses.
• Sweet with Salty: Sweet wines balance the saltiness found in many cheeses.
• Terroir: Wines and cheeses from the same region often pair well together due to their shared characteristics.

White Wines and Cheese

White wines offer high acidity and a range of flavors, making them versatile for pairing with cheese.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc’s high acidity and citrus notes are excellent with goat cheese. The sharpness of the cheese complements the crispness of the wine.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay varies from light and crisp to full-bodied and oaky. A young, unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with creamy cheeses like Brie, while an aged Chardonnay’s nuttiness works well with aged Gouda.

Riesling

Slightly sweet and highly aromatic, Riesling contrasts beautifully with blue cheeses like Roquefort. The sweetness tames the saltiness of the cheese.

Red Wines and Cheese

Red wines often have bold, tannic structures that require careful pairing with cheese.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This full-bodied wine with bold tannins finds harmony with aged Cheddar. The maturity of the cheese complements the wine’s robustness.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir’s lighter body and earthy hints make it an easy match for various cheeses, especially Gruyère. The medium intensity of Gruyère pairs well with the wine’s finesse.

Merlot

Merlot’s soft, velvety tannins blend well with semi-hard cheeses like Havarti. This gentle interaction provides a balanced taste experience.

Specialty Wines and Cheese

Some wines fall outside the categories of regular whites and reds and have unique pairing characteristics.

Port

Sweet and rich, Port pairs wonderfully with strong blue cheeses. The sweetness of the wine mellows out the sharpness of cheeses like Stilton.

Champagne

Champagne’s effervescence and acidity make it a match for many cheeses. Triple-cream cheeses like Brillat-Savarin are exquisite with Champagne due to the wine’s ability to cut through the cheese’s richness.

Experimenting and trusting your palate is key to discovering phenomenal wine-and-cheese pairs. With a little knowledge, you can create combinations that highlight the best qualities of both.

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