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How to Pair Your Cheese & Wine Like a Sommelier

How to Pair Your Wine & Cheese Like a Sommelier

If you know us, you’ll know we love a glass of wine. We’re not necessarily big drinkers but a glass or two with a nice meal is a real treat for us. Given that national Cheese and Wine Day coming up we have been thinking about hosting a lovely, sophisticated Cheese and Wine get together with some friends. Now, we all know our basic cheeses and most of us know which wines we like and don’t like but do you know what you’re supposed to pair with what? This may not seem important when you’re just enjoying some nibbles at home but if you’re interested in hosting a wine and cheese party or just fancy levelling up your after-dinner cheese and biscuits experience then you’ll need the tips below. 

We have a whole blog planned for you about how to host your very own wine & cheese party, but the first step, before you can even think about hosting is getting your flavours balanced and paired correctly. Trust us, it’s worth the extra effort for the delicious result. Maybe it’s because we have wine and cheese on the brain or maybe it’s just the thought of hosting but we have been adding lots of new cheese knives and servingware to our ever growing product selection. Take a look here

The Best Pairings

  • Manchego – This option is a sheep milk-based cheese, great for those who are sensitive to cow’s milk cheese and perfect when paired with a sparkly wine such as red Rioja.
  • Ricotta – Goes well with Riesling. 
  • Parmesan – Delicious with a bubbly Prosecco
  • Gouda – The perfect pairing with Cabernet
  • Aged Cheddar – Lovely with Malbec
  • Gruyere – A love fest with Chardonnay
  • Brie – Goes well with many wines, but my favourite pairing is Merlot
  • Bleu Cheese – Pairs well with a Pinot Noir or a sweet Port
  • Feta – Slightly sweet wine is perfect with salty feta! I like it best with a bright red or dry Rosé. 

Tip #1: Pair Your Wine and Cheese With Equal Intensity

This is probably the best tip for a beginner, some of the more creamy, delicate cheeses are totally overwhelmed by the bolder wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon but are balanced perfectly by a nice Pinot Noir.

Tip #2: The Stinkier The Cheese The Sweeter The Wine 

Super smelly cheeses can have a really ‘funky’ taste, by pairing these strong cheeses such as Stilton with a sweet wine, that funky taste becomes creamy and far more delicious. Why not try your Roquefort with Port or Sauternes?

Tip #3: Bold Reds Love Aged Cheeses

Older cheeses lose water content and grow richer in taste over time, this rich taste balances the bitter note in stronger wines like Montepulciano or Dolcetto. 

Tip #4: Sparking Wines Are Delicious With Soft Creamy Cheeses

We all know that sticky, creamy texture of soft cheeses like Brie or Camambert and how it can quickly become too rich to be enjoyable. The fizz and acidity of the sparking wine cuts through the overly rich sensation and offers a palate-cleaning effect. 

Tip #5: When In Doubt, Opt For A Firm, Nutty Cheese

Our final tip when pairing your cheese and wine is to opt for a firm, nutty cheese if you can’t follow the tips above. The cheeses such as Swiss, Gruyère and Gouda all balance perfectly with all styles of wine. 


There you have it, our best practise for pairing your wine and cheese. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be pairing like a Somellier

 

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