Wine and Cheese - How to Pick the Right Pairings
Wine and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly. The pairing is so absolutely classic that the sight of it reminds one of a Renaissance painting adorned with scantily clad individuals surrounded by cherubs. Although one cannot go wrong with a delicious, high dollar wine and some expensive European cheese, there are combinations that will tantalize tastebuds. Correct wine and cheese pairings will make you feel as classic and artful as a Renoir painting.
Sharp cheeses like cheddar or parmesan pair nicely with bitter reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon. This is because the sharp flavor of the cheese contrasts well with the dryness of the wine. A good Cab and cheddar are an excellent pairing for any party or get together.
Creamy cheese pairs well with white or red wine with a high acidity such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. A classic combination is a stunning Brie with a crisp chardonnay.
Salty cheeses like blue cheese pairs really well with sweet cheese. An example of such a pairing would be blue cheese and a nice Riesling. The salt from the blue cheese enhances the Riesling and prevents it from tasting too saccharine.
Here is a list of go-to combinations:
Rioja goes well with Asiago, Cheddar, Havarti
Sangiovese is enhanced by both soft and salty cheese such as Blue, Fontina, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Provolone, Ricotta
Shiraz/Syrah is a bitter wine and very tannic making it perfect for sharp cheeses such as Cheddar, Edam, Gouda, Parmesan
Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel pair nicely with Asiago, Blue, Feta, goat cheese, Gouda, Gruyere, and Muenster
Merlot goes well with both soft and sharp cheeses like Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Parmesan
Pinot Blanc is enhanced by soft and salty cheeses like Brie, Camembert, Feta
Pinot Gris loves to be paired with sharp cheeses aged Cheddar, Asiago, Edam, goat cheese, Gouda, Mozzarella, and Muenster
Pinot Noir is enhanced by both salty and soft cheese like Brie, Camembert, Feta, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Port Salut, Swiss
Port has a subtle flavor and does well with striking savory cheeses such as Blue and Gorgonzola
Riesling loves to be paired with salty cheeses and even soft cheeses such as Brie, Blue, Colby, Edam, Gouda, Monterey Jack
Cabernet Sauvignon pairs nicely with sharp cheeses like Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Parmesan, Blue cheese, Roquefort.
Chardonnay loves soft and sharp cheeses like Brie, Camembert, goat cheese, Gouda, Gruyere, Parmesan, Provolone
Merlot does well with sharp and soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Parmesan
The best way to find a new flavor combination that you absolutely love is to host your own wine and cheese tasting party! Have your friends bring a bottle of their favorite wines and cheese and supply plenty of your own. Wine and cheese go so well together that it is incredibly easy to find pairings that are to die for. Host a wine and cheese party on a crisp spring afternoon outdoors when the flowers are blooming, and you will feel yourself fall in love with the pairings and maybe even find yourself a nice pairing too.
