Easy-Wine Guides
Whether you are hosting a party, having a few friends over, or simply just want to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine. Before you pop those corks, learn how to pair your wine with the best cheeses by using this handy guide.
Six Tips for Pairing Wine With Cheese
1. Pair bold red wines with a harder aged cheese ~ Aged Gouda, Manchego, Cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan pair well with full bodied red wines. As cheese ages, water is lost leaving a deeper flavored cheese. Select a more intense, rich red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec that have more tannins.
2. Match the intensity of your wine and cheese ~ Full to medium bodied red wines pair best with bolder cheeses. Sweet wines like Moscato or a Port pair well with blue cheese. Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay go well with softer cheeses like mozzarella or goat cheese.
3. Select items from the same region ~ Wines and food are affected by their region’s climate and soil. When unsure as to what items to buy, select them from the same region such as a Spanish Garnacha paired with Manchego cheese. (Check with a reputable cheese store to ask for suggestions.)
4. Pair Creamy cheeses with wines of higher acidity ~ Camembert, Brie, and Goat Cheese pair better with wines of higher acidity. The higher acidity in the wine brings out the subtle flavor in the cheese by cutting through the creamy texture. Some good choses are Sparkling Rose wine, unoaked Chardonnay, and crisp Sauvignon.
5. Pair sweeter wines with salty cheeses ~ The fruity undertones in a Riesling wine make the perfect match for a salty Feta, Grana, blue cheese, or aged Gouda.
6. “Nutty” goes well with everything! ~ If you are unsure which cheese to pair with your wine, choose a firm, nutty cheese. This will balance out a full bodied Cabernet, medium bodied Malbec, and enhance a sweet Riesling. Best selections are Emmental, Swiss, and Gruyere.
Cheers!
Warning: Too much alcohol can have negative effects on your brain. Always drink in moderation and never to get intoxicated. Never drink and drive.