Best Wine and Cheese Pairings
What wine pairs best with cheese? That depends on what cheese you’re serving! Or to flip it, the best cheese to buy will depend on what wine you’re serving. Here is an easy-to-follow guide to help you through the cheesy maze.
Dry Sparkling Wine and Cheese
Cheese Pairing: Aged Parmesan
Tip: The sparkling wine can stand up to flavor as well as texture and fat.
Light White Wine and Cheese
Cheese Pairing: Fresh light Cheese (mozzarella, ricotta, chevre)
Tip: The lightness of the wine will be overwhelmed by a heavy cheese. Keep the cheese light & fresh.
Slightly Sweet Wine
Cheese Pairing: Semi-hard with spice (Pepper Jack, Havarti with Garlic)
Tip: Sweet wines can stand up to spicy cheeses the same way they can hold their own with spicy foods.
Medium White Wine
Wine Examples: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, White Burgundy, French Rose
Cheese Pairing: Soft rind cheese (Brie, Camembert), Semi-soft cheese (Swiss, Havarti)
Tip: Cheese pairs really well with wines that have a lot of acidity, so this will be a pairing made in cheese heaven
Heavy White Wine
Wine Examples: Chardonnay, Chablis
Cheese Pairing: Firm cheese, such as Gruyere, Sharp Cheddar, Gouda or Parmesan
Tip: A big California Chardonnay will stand up well to the biggest cheeses, so go ahead and try it with Blue Cheese
Light Red Wine and Cheese
Wine Examples: Pinot Noir, Sangiovese (Chianti)
Cheese Pairing: Soft rind cheese (Brie, Camembert), Semi-soft cheese (Swiss, Havarti)
Tip: Italian Chianti’s are very food friendly, so feel free to experiment with hard cheeses as well.
Medium-bodied Red Wine (with a Light Finish)
Wine Examples: Merlot, Rioja
Cheese Pairing: Firm Cheese (Gouda, Manchego, Cheddar)
Tip: Pair wine and cheeses from the same country. For example, Rioja and Manchego and pure poetry.
Medium-bodied Red Wine (with a Long Finish)
Wine Examples: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux
Cheese Pairing: Firm Cheese (Gouda, Manchego, Cheddar)
Tip: Some of the bigger wines can definitely stand up to a Stilton Bleu Cheese
Heavy Red Wine and Cheese Pairing
Wine Examples: Malbec, Syrah/Shiraz
Cheese Pairing: Aged Firm Cheese (Aged Cheddar, Aged Parmesan), Blue Chese (Gorgonzola, Stilton)
Tip: Big wines need a big cheese.
Dessert Wine
Wine Examples: Sauternes, Ice Wine, Port
Cheese Pairing: Fondue, Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola, Stilton)
Tip: No dinner party is complete without a glass of dessert wine or port. Trying pairing it with your favorite cheese and leave your comment below.
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