Sweetness In Contrast To Salt
Very salty and complex cheeses, such as blue cheeses, are generally served with sweet condiments. You may have noticed that orange marmalade, figs and raisins often accompany these types of cheeses. And you can also serve a wine with these same raisin and nutty aromas.
In general, sweet wines are ideal with blue cheeses, because the sweetness embraces the saltiness and tones down the slightly moldy taste.
Late harvest wines, with the high sugar content in the grapes, go particularly well with blue cheese. Try, for instance, a French Sauternes or German Spätlese or even better, a bold, sweet and complex Auslese or Trockenbeerenauslese from Germany. The prices may be high, but then so is the experience. And if can you get hold of one, a genuine Eiswein is also worth a try.
Actual dessert wines especially if they have notes of dried fruit also pair very well with blue cheese.
Medium Bodied Red Wines
If your blue cheese is on the mild side, then you could turn to a medium-bodied red wine, such as cabernet franc, grenache, or sangiovese. When you get the pairing right, then the nuances of the cheese and the wine become evident and complement one another.
This approach can work if youre eating the cheese on its own or if it is an ingredient in a meal. A relatively mild blue cheese on a pizza, for example, could work well with a medium bodied red wine.
But, dont try to pair a medium bodied red with a strong blue cheese. That combination simply wont work.
Six Cheeses That Pair With Pretty Much Every Wine
Wine is awesome. So is cheese. When you put an awesome wine and an awesome cheese together, it should be even better than the two things were separately, right? Also duh?
Sadly, not always. Look, no one is going to tell you to not drink your favorite wine with your favorite cheese. But when it comes to wine and cheese pairings, deliciousness is dependent on balance.
Typically, the most adaptable cheeses are hard cheeses, because they stand up better to bigger-bodied wines. If your go-to wine is a bold red and your favorite cheese is a buttery Brie, the weight of that Cabernet pour will slap that pudgy Brie across the face. Meanwhile, if your favorite bottle is a bright white, youll have to mind your rinds pair it with the wrong cheese and that brilliant acidity can turn harsh or bile-y.
drop!
Never fear, though! We did some tasting and drinking and came up with six cheeses of all textures that pair with any wine.
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Tips For A Successful Cheese Board For Wine Tasting:
- While I often enjoy adding honey, jam or some other type of spread to a good cheese platter, for a party with an active wine tasting, I like to keep my snack board to strictly finger foods. i.e. things you can pick up and pop into your mouth with one hand . No honey that needs spreading. No pistachios that need cracking.
- When I make a cheese platter for wine, I love a combination of both savory and sweet snacks. Some people have a sweet tooth while enjoying wine, and others have a savory tooth. See also my New Years Eve finger foods board.
- Just like the combo of sweet and savory, I also like a balance of crunchy and soft. I like a variety of crackers for crunch factor, and then soft fruit like grapes and strawberries.
- If youre not a wine lover or have a guest that doesnt prefer it, offer them a cocktail or mocktail made with my rosemary simple syrup. It will pair really well with everything on this board.
- This board is even great as part of a brunch buffet! I have a whole post of brunch ideas to round out the rest of your spread, as well. Dont forget to try your hand at baking bacon.
Enjoy some wine and cheese, and be sure to connect with Black Creek Cheese on ,;;and;.
More Essential Pairing Pointers
But age definitely isn’t the only factor to keep in mind. A cheese’s texture, saltiness, and pungency also influence a wine pairing, as do the wine’s structure and sweetness. Here are a few other notes to keep in mind:
Watch those tannins. Tannic red wines are terrific with rich, aged cheeses, because their tannins literally bind to protein and fat, cleaning your palate after each bite. But the same process makes tannic wines feel far too astringent with young cheeses; they tie up what little fat’s available, leaving you with a chalky sensation and a metallic aftertaste. If you must serve red wine with young cheeses, reach for one low in tannin, like Beaujolais or sparkling red Lambrusco.
Salt loves sweet. Sweet wines beautifully balance the saltiest cheeses like hard Grana, blue cheese, aged Gouda, or feta. The salt in the cheese heightens the perception of sweetness in the wine, so a wine that’s already headed in that direction makes for a breezy pairing.
Cheese loves fruit and nuts. There’s a reason we adorn cheese plates with fresh fruits, dried fruits, and nuts. The juicy, tangy fruits go well with young cheeses like Brie. Sweet dried fruits are wonderful with salty cheeses like Stilton. Buttery, bitter nuts are tasty with rich Cheddar. From fruity to sweet to nutty to tannic, these same pairing principles apply to wines, too. When in doubt, try to imagine which food would pair best with a cheese, and let that guide you toward a wine.
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Enjoy Your Favorite Wine And Cheese Pairing
Wine and cheese are two of the most versatile delicacies in the world. Thats why there are unlimited wine and cheese pairing options.
If youre not sure which wine to pair with cheese, pair aged cheese with bold, red wine, soft cheese with sparkling wine, and you have many options with white wine and cheese pairings.
Or, you can just stick with a nutty cheese or a cheese from the same region as the wine.
Are you interested in going on a wine trail?;Plan your trip today!
White Wines Pairing Guidelines
Whites are generally considered a better company for a wide range of cheeses. Due to their natural qualities, white wines almost never can overpower cheese odor and taste, but complement them harmoniously.
Chardonnay Wine Pairings
Chardonnay is a dry white wine with rich creamy and nutty flavor, sometimes with apple or citrus hints. It is one of the most versatile wines and matches well both hard and soft cheeses, varying from Gruyere and Cheddar to Brie and Camembert.
Muscat Wine Pairings
Muscat is a sweet wine with lush fruitiness in its taste and a touch of honey. It pairs wonderfully with desserts and chocolate, fois gras and soufflés, as well as blue and cheddar cheeses.
Pinot Grigio Wine Pairings
This is an aromatic dry light white with a fruity bouquet of scents and an acid zest. Pinot Grigio food pairing is quite diverse, including Thai and Chinese dishes. It is ideal for soft cheeses with Mozzarella, Ricotta and Fontina among them.
Riesling Wine Pairings
Riesling is a noble classic light-bodied white wine. Its taste gets richer with age, revealing citrus, apricot and peach notes. The wine shines well with hard Gouda or Edam and soft Cotija or Mascarpone cheeses.
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Pairings
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Best Cheese And Wine Pairings
Even though it is a centuries-old tradition, matching cheese and wine together can still be a challenging and intimidating task. If done correctly, a perfect match can be an exquisite experience. Every detail in making the pairing needs to be considered. While a wine or a cheese by itself may be spectacular, that does not necessarily mean that pairing them is a good idea. Most people have not had years of experience focusing on tasting many wine and cheese options and become familiar with the characteristics and qualities of each. Here are some ideas that will help guide you into creating successful pairings:
Wine And Cheese Pairing
Some people love the holidays for the general feeling of joy and happiness in the air. Some people love the holidays for the magicand the music. And a lot of people love the holiday for the presents.;
Me, I do love all of those things as well, however another big reason I love the holidays, is for the entertaining. I throw my fair share of get togethers during the holidays, and while some are larger than others, the best get together of all is small, intimate, and includes lots of cheese and wine.;
Today were going to elevate your occasion with; and Tillamook Cheese this season to do just that throw a party with a wine and cheese pairing. I cant think of anything better.;
Today were going to talk about:
- How to throw an amazing happy hour for your friends
- The ideal wine and cheese pairing
- How to make the most perfect cheeseboard
- Tips and tricks to make entertaining easy and fun
- The simplest bacon and cheddar crostini that would be perfect at any holiday gathering
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Bacon And Cheddar Crostini
I cant tell you how many crostini Ive made for parties over the years. Theyre one of my favorite easy apps to serve when Im hosting happy hour because theyre:;
- easy to throw together;
- dont require utensils;
- inexpensive;
I wanted to mimic some of the same flavors going on in the cheeseboard, so this crostini is slathered with fig jam, a small slice of cheddar cheese, a crispy piece of bacon, and just a touch of fresh thyme. Its the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and cheesy. Heres how to make it:;
- Cut a good-quality French baguette into 1-inch slices.;
- Brush with olive oil oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.;
- Toast in a 325-degree oven just until the bread is slightly toasted.
- Spread the crostini with fig jam when they come out of the oven. Top with a 1/4 piece of sliced cheddar cheese and 1/3 piece of bacon. Sprinkle with fresh thyme.;
- Optional: After you put the cheese on, pop them back into the oven until the cheese melts. Top with bacon and thyme.;
Chianti Classico And Pecorino Toscano
Why it works: Another great grows together, goes together pairing, the hard, aged texture of a Pecorino pairs wonderfully with the booming tannins of a Chianti Classico. The savory secondary notes in a Chianti bring out a hidden herbal flavor in the cheese, with the wines black fruit holding up perfectly against the boldness of the Pecorino.
Also try:Sangiovese and Parmigiano-Reggiano or Brunello di Montalcino and Grana Padano.
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Cabernet Sauvignon Or Malbec With Hard Cheese
If a wine has big flavours, high alcohol levels and ripe tannins, youll want a cheese that has the boldness to match. Put simply, red wine and cheese pairings should be like for like in terms of flavour. Hard, salty cheeses that intensify with age, such as aged cheddar or Parmesan, will work well with intensely flavoured wines a such as Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 or a malbec such as Terrazas de los Andes Malbec 2018.
What Kind Of Cheese Is Best With Wine
The best cheeses to pair with red wine are hearty ones-semi-firm, firm and aged hard cheese. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah , Zinfandel , Tempranillo and Sangiovese are but a few of the red wines that pair well with aged Gouda and Cheddar, aged Manchego or Pecorino and other similar cow, goat or sheep milk cheeses.
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Sweetness And Acidity Give A Nice Balance
White wines can be both sweet and acidic at the same time, and this combination generally goes very well with cheese. As a rule, try to avoid serving very dry white wines with cheese. Instead, aim for varieties with a little residual sugar. The sugar in the wine goes nicely with the salt in the cheese, while the acidity rinses the palate, offsetting that slightly greasy feeling.
German Rieslings, in particular, can be a perfect match for many cheeses. Try the slightly sweeter varieties which generally have a beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity. Then you will be well on your way to cheese-wine heaven.
The rule here is: the more powerful the cheese, the more sweetness and acidity it can handle from the wine.
Pinot Noir With Cornish Blue Cheese
Cornish blue is one of the best entry-level blue cheeses, as it is very mild along the same lines as a blue brie, rather than a more intense blue cheese like stilton. The mildness of Cornish blue means that you need to think differently about which wine youre going to drink with the cheese.
Most of the examples that weve mentioned so far, including port, strong reds, and sweet wines, will overwhelm the flavors of Cornish blue. Pinot noir, on the other hand, works well, as the wine tends to have a light to medium body and is an easy drinking wine.
You could also experiment with other types of less intense wines. A sparkling rose could be a good choice and the bubbles would add another element of enjoyment to your experience.
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Pairing Cheese With Zinfandel
Popular as the new world grape, this American grape variety produces wines that are high in alcohol. However, their high alcohol content is well balanced with the bright color and the strong fruity and spicy flavors.
Zinfandel wines can be paired with a wide variety of cheeses. Saltier cheeses, especially blue cheese, make for an excellent choice to go with this sweet red wine. Asiago, Blue, Feta, Gruyere, and Muenster are all definitely worth a try with this popular red wine.
The New American Grilled Cheese
Pairing: 2010 Buehler Vineyards Zinfandel
The best grilled cheese is the gooiest grilled cheese, says author Laura Werlin: “After you bite into it, the cheese should stretch out past your face as far as your arm will reach. Otherwise, it’s just not right.”
Dry-farmed vines are part of the secret to this terrific Zin’s bright, berry-rich intensity.
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When In Doubt Choose Nutty Cheese
Wine and cheese pairings are more complex than people think! To make things easy, nutty cheese is a cheese that goes with wine; and all types of wine.
Firm and nutty cheeses have the flavor and fat content to balance intense, high-tannin wines. But theyre also delicate and light enough to match with dry or sweet white wines.
Some great cheese examples include Comté Extra, Abbaye de Belloc, and Emmental.
The only exception to this rule is eating firm, nutty cheeses with sparkling wine. Thats because you should always choose a softer variety.
Dont worry there are plenty of nutty-flavored cheeses with a soft and spreadable texture. These include Robiola Bosina, Bucheron, and Camembert de Normandie.
Perfect Wine & Food Pairings
Whether youre hosting an intimate dinner party or a large gathering with all of your friends, a meat and cheese board is the perfect party appetizer. Its easy to make, easy for guests to serve themselves, endlessly customizable, and not to mention, totally delicious. Want to make the best-ever board for your party? Weve got expert tips to help your meat and cheese spread come together perfectly.
All-in-One Gifts
A charcuterie spread is so versatileit can serve as a tasty party snack, hearty addition to a main course, or even as a light and flavorful meal on its own. But no matter how youre enjoying your favorite selection of meats and cheeses, one things for sure: a glass of wine can really take the flavors of your bites to the next level. But which wine should you choose? Our guide to wine pairings can help you pick the perfect pour based on your preferred flavor profile.
Bold
Not shy about full-bodied flavors? Then our Generosity Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is a great choice. This wine pairs nicely with our bolder-tasting meats, cheeses, and condiments because the cabernets full body really brings out the complexity of stronger flavors.
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Pair Wine And Cheese From The Same Place
Wine is made all over the world, so its no surprise that wine made in certain locations should be paired with cheese from the same area.
Even in the case of alpine cheeses, you should choose cheese from the specific region the wine comes from.
There are a few reasons for this rule. These wines date back to many generations. Historically, these wines were always paired with native cheeses.
For example, Sauvignon blanc and goat cheese are great pairings. Both are from Loire Valley, France. The same thing goes for Garnacha and Manchego both are from La Mancha, Spain.
Wine And Cheese Pairing: 7 Tips For Marrying Both
Wine is still one of the most popular alcoholic beverages and there are plenty of wine connoisseurs out there. By 2022, the;volume of wine sold is expected to rise to 281 million cases.; Keep reading to learn more and all about wine and cheese pairing!
Wine is one of the most cherished drinks because it can be enjoyed at every occasion, there are many wine varieties available, and wine tastes delicious with food. One of the most classic wine and food pairings is wine and cheese.
Are you;interested in trying the perfect wine and cheese pairing? You can enjoy wine and cheese;at home! Here are 7 tips on pairing wine and cheese.
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