- 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.
- AVOID OVERLY OAKED WINES. Soft and rich cheeses, such as Brie and Double Crème, often pair nicely with white wines made from Chardonnay grapes.
- AGE WITH AGE – BODY WITH BODY. Another good rule of thumb is to serve full-bodied cheeses with full-bodied wines – and old cheeses with old wines.
- SWEETNESS IN CONTRAST TO SALT. Very salty and complex cheeses, such as blue cheeses, are generally served with sweet condiments. ...
- EXPERIMENT. As you can see, there are many possibilities, so the best tip is to experiment and be open to exciting combinations.
What is the best wine to serve with cheese?
What do you drink with Stilton cheese?
- Stilton Sloe gin pairs well with the following eight beverages. To be completely honest, this is my absolute favorite match. Tokaji.
- Sauternes.
- Sweet sherry.
- Aged Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Elderberry wine.
- Porter – or stout.
- And of course port.
What cheese can you eat with wine?
Best Bets for Wine and Cheese Pairings
- Wine: Beaujolais; Cheese to consider: Brie, Camembert, goat cheese
- Wine: Cabernet Franc; Cheese to Consider: Blue, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Fontina, goat cheese, Gorgonzola, Port Salut, Swiss
- Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon; Cheeses to Consider: Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Parmesan, Blue cheese, Roquefort
What wines go with cheese?
Pairing Goat Cheese With Wine
- Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc is the wine most often chosen to accompany goat cheese and for good reason. ...
- Albarino. Albarino is a white Spanish wine known for its bold acidity and citrusy flavor. ...
- Riesling. Riesling rarely meets a cheese it doesn't like. ...
- Chardonnay. ...
- Syrah. ...
What is the best wine and cheese pairing?
White Wine Pairings
- Milder blue cheeses like Cambozola share the same potential matches as bloomy cheeses.
- Noble Rot sweet wines (Sauternes, Barsac, Monbazillac, Riesling Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, Quarts de Chaume) for sharp, salty cheese
- Dessert wines from dried grapes (Vin Santo, Jurançon, Recioto de Soave)
Do you eat cheese with white wine?
White wine is close to being the perfect match for cheese – and generally pairs better than red wine. The freshness of the white wine, the perfumed notes and the combination of sweetness and acidity suit many cheeses. However, it is important to pair the right wine with the right cheese.
What goes well with white wine?
10 Traditional White Wine Pairings to Inspire YouLobster and Oaked Chardonnay. ... Caviar and Champagne. ... Roast Pork and Chenin Blanc. ... Foie Gras and Sauternes. ... Oysters and Chablis. ... Grilled Caesar Salad and Sauvignon Blanc. ... Thai Chicken Curry and Reisling. ... Crab Cakes and Viognier.More items...•
What is the best cheese to drink with wine?
12 Classic Wine and Cheese PairingsPinot Noir and Gruyere. ... Champagne and Brie. ... Moscato d'Asti and Gorgonzola. ... Tempranillo and Idiazabal. ... Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese. ... Cabernet Sauvignon and Aged Cheddar. ... Provence Rosé and Havarti. ... Riesling and Raclette.More items...
What cheeses go with sauvignon blanc?
We suggest reaching for plain goat cheese, asiago, gouda, gruyere, or feta. Goat cheese pairs specifically well with sauvignon blanc that is heavily oaked. The rich but tart flavor of the cheese with its creamy texture helps to bring out the rich and bold flavors of the wine.
What appetizers go good with white wine?
No-Fuss, Easy Summer Appetizers for Your Wine PartyCharcuterie. You can't throw a party without wine's best friend! ... Bruschetta. This easy, minimal-bake bruschetta is the perfect summertime snack. ... Crudité platter. ... Chips and Salsa/Pico de Gallo/Guacamole. ... Hummus. ... Spinach and Artichoke Dip. ... Caprese Salad. ... Roll Ups.More items...•
What cheese goes with Chardonnay?
Moderately oaked, medium-bodied chardonnays do well with semi-soft, triple-cream cheeses or a nutty, fruity fontina. Heavily oak chardonnays are a good match for the bold and complex flavors of a sharp cheddar cheese, a washed-rind cheese, or a pungent blue.
What cheeses go with Pinot Grigio?
Pinot Grigio cheese pairings should include the mildest cheeses you like. Mild goat cheeses, fresh mozzarella, mild cheddars, brie, and gouda are great cheese with Pinot Grigio. A slightly sweet Pinot Grigio pairs nicely with gorgonzola and feta.
How do you eat a cheese platter with wine?
1:032:53How to eat charcuterie (and feel super fancy) - Edible Education - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAdd some bread and you're ready to go. But charcuterie always tastes better with a good drink theMoreAdd some bread and you're ready to go. But charcuterie always tastes better with a good drink the career boards Hathi paired wines.
How do you serve cheese with wine?
Soft cheese pairs well with sparkling wine or white wine that's light on oak flavor, such as Chardonnay. Sharp cheese or aged cheese—six months or older—are best served with full-bodied wine to compliment the bold flavors.
What does Sauvignon Blanc pair with?
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with green vegetables, bonus if the dish includes sauces with citrus notes. Try Brussel sprouts, asparagus, cucumbers, and broccoli, among others. When pairing vegetables and Sauvignon Blanc, opt for dishes that use raw vegetables rather than roasted.
What snack goes well with Sauvignon Blanc?
Sauvignon Blanc is a good wine choice for many different snacks, such as potato chips, nuts and salty crackers. This grassy wine pairs especially well with herbaceous snacks, such as marinated green olives, or basically anything with herbs.
What wine goes with gouda?
Cabernet Sauvignon And Aged Gouda In order to stand up to the nutty flavors in aged gouda, you need a tannic, full bodied wine. Cabernet Sauvignon gets the job done.
What snack goes well with wine?
Wine Pairing Snacks – What Snacks Go With Wine?Animal Crackers and Riesling. Classic and brilliant. ... Popcorn and Chardonnay. ... Toaster Pastries and Fizzy Rosé ... Pistachios and Pinot Noir. ... Corn Chips and Cabernet Sauvignon. ... Mini Cupcakes and Moscato. ... Fruit Snacks and Fizzy Sangria. ... PB&J Sandwich and Fizzy Crisp White.More items...•
What to mix with white wine to make it taste better?
Club soda, seltzer, or soda are great choices for the spritz. There are many flavored seltzers on the market these days to choose from. Q Drinks and Fever-Tree are designed to be mixed into drinks, whereas ginger ale or a lemon-lime soda would sweeten up a wine, too.
What can I mix wine with?
Here are the 15 best drinks to mix with wine to make that perfect cocktail.Orange Juice. Victor Moussa/Shutterstock.Aperol. Goskova Tatiana/Shutterstock. ... Elderflower Liqueur. Truffles and Trends/Shutterstock. ... Crème de cassis. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. ... Coca-Cola. ... Tonic Water. ... Pineapple Juice. ... Grapefruit Juice. ... More items...•
What do you eat with dry white wine?
Dry White Wine Dry whites pair the best with vegetables, especially roasted vegetables, and fish. Try a white fish, like halibut, with roasted carrots or zucchini.
Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairings
Our discussion of food-friendly white wines starts with sauvignon blanc (soh-vinn-yohn blonk). Native to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France, t...
Pairing Chardonnay and Cheese
Chardonnay is a natural rival of sauvignon blanc. While sauvignon blanc is the predominant white grape of Bordeaux, chardonnay is king of the white...
What Cheese Goes With Moscato?
Ah, moscato: as trendy as it is sweet. Moscato (moh-scott-oh) is the Italian name for the muscat grape, from which Asti Spumante is made. Back in t...
Other White Wine and Cheese Pairings
Chenin blanc food pairings are much the same as those for riesling. Used to make the classic French Vouvray, chenin blanc (shen-nin blonk) originat...
Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairings
Our discussion of food-friendly white wines starts with sauvignon blanc (soh-vinn-yohn blonk). Native to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France, this varietal is the major grape in white Bordeaux, and the parent grape to the famous red varietal cabernet sauvignon. (Sauvignon means “wild” in French.)
Pairing Chardonnay and Cheese
Chardonnay is a natural rival of sauvignon blanc. While sauvignon blanc is the predominant white grape of Bordeaux, chardonnay is king of the whites in Burgundy. Bold and complex, chardonnay is known for its notes of apple, pear, melon, and citrus.
What Cheese Goes with Moscato?
Ah, moscato: as trendy as it is sweet. Moscato (moh-scott-oh) is the Italian name for the muscat grape, from which Asti Spumante is made. Back in the day, a notoriously cheap wine called muscatel was made from this grape, but it was fortified with extra alcohol to make something close in strength to a sherry or port.
Resilient Riesling
Riesling is one of the most food-friendly grapes. While it has a reputation for being sweet, the wines made from riesling grapes range from dry to sweet, depending on the ripeness at which the grapes were harvested: dry (Kabinett) to off-dry (late-harvest Spätlese, slightly riper Auslese), to sweet dessert wines.
Other White Wine and Cheese Pairings
Chenin blanc food pairings are much the same as those for riesling. Used to make the classic French Vouvray, chenin blanc (shen-nin blonk) originated in France’s Loire Valley and is also widely grown in South Africa. It runs the gamut from dry to semi-sweet, and its favorite cheeses are Brie, Cheddar, alpine-style and goat cheeses.
The Basics of White Wine and Cheese Pairing
To help us with wine pairing suggestions and guidelines we interviewed award-winning food and drink author, cheese pairing expert, and fellow Wisconsin cheese lover Jeanette Hurt.
Answer All Your Cheese Pairing Questions
Ready to learn more about cheese pairing? We’ve covered everything you need to know about pairing cheese with wine, food, beer, and more. Start with our beginner’s guide or just dive into whatever topic suits your fancy. Explore a world of cheese pairing at your fingertips.
Conclusion
Flex your cheese pairing muscles and get creative, or try one of our cheese board recipes, like this Summertime Cheese Board or this Sweet and Savory Brunch Cheese Board. If you want to cook a full meal try our selection of over 300 handcrafted recipes featuring Wisconsin Cheese.
FAQs
Three of our favorite cheeses to have alongside white wine are gouda, havarti, and aged cheddar. Although we generally recommend picking the cheese based on the wine, these three will pair on some level with nearly any variety of white wine out there.
1. Cabernet Sauvignon and Extra Sharp Cheddar
A full-bodied and dry red Cabernet Sauvignon has hints of herbs and dark fruits. When paired with the extra sharp cheddar, the red wine draws out the bold cheddar flavors of this strong cheese. Cabernet Sauvignon also works well with other intense cheeses, particularly ones that are firm and salty.
2. Merlot and Garlic and Herb Cheese
The garlic and herb cheese has sharp and tangy flavors. When paired with the Merlot, which is a dry red wine that is medium to full-bodied, the cheese brings out notes of black cherry, plum, and black tea. The garlic and herb cheese flavors are more heavily emphasized because of the Merlot’s dry fruitiness.
3. Malbec and Vintage or Reserve Cheese
Reserve or vintage cheese has robust flavors, which need a red wine that can hold up against it. Malbecs are medium to full-bodied red wines that have black fruit, anise, and herb notes. The strong flavor of the Malbec complements the vintage or reserve cheese.
4. Zinfandel and Jalapeno or Hot Buffalo
Zinfandel is a dry red wine that is medium to full-bodied and has dark jam and black pepper hints. Because Zinfandel is fruity and spicy, it pairs well with these spicy cheeses for a bold combination.
5. Pinot Noir and Vermont Sharp Cheddar or Gruyere
Vermont Sharp Cheddar is aged and needs to be paired with a wine that has earthy notes, such as Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is a dry and light to medium-bodied red wine that has these characteristics along with ripe red fruit flavors. It also works well with a nutty cheese with medium firmness, such as Gruyere.
6. Chianti and Tomato Basil or Tuscan
With smoky undertones of plum and cherry, Chianti is a dry red Italian wine that is medium-bodied and pairs well with Mediterranean flavors such as tomato and the basil.
7. Red Blend and Sharp or Smoked Cheese
Wines made from a blend of red grapes are usually medium-bodied and well-balanced. With their fruit, herb, and spice flavors, red blends work well with smoked or sharp cheese because all the flavors become enhanced significantly. Red blend wine tends to work well with all meal options because it is considered well-rounded.
1. Cabernet Sauvignon and Aged or Sharp Cheddar
Cabernet Sauvignon is a diverse classic grape, prized for its full-bodied and rich flavors and lower tannins that make up its lighter-bodied versions. The most common aromatic components found in Cabernet Sauvignon include dark fruits like plums, cherries, blackberries, along with warm spices such as vanilla or licorice root.
2. Merlot and Gouda
Merlot is a wine varietal that sits right in the middle of the red spectrum. This rich and smooth wine is flavorful, thanks to its medium tannin, acidity, and alcohol. You can get cherry, plum, or raspberry flavors with a hint of spice that leaves an easy-drinking finish on your tongue.
3. Syrah and Roquefort
Syrah is a dark, hearty wine with an intense taste. It's full-bodied and dry while remaining very well balanced without being sour or bitter. There are hints of smoke, bacon, and floral from the violet flower, making this one among the perfect wine pairings for any occasion!
4. Pinot Noir and Gruyere
Pinot Noir is a tasty dry wine ideal for those who enjoy the subtleties of fruit and berries mixed with oak. They have a bright acidic taste from their tannins, making them refreshing for warmer weather or as appetizers before dinner.
5. Zinfandel and Asiago
Zinfandel is a "fruit-bomb" of flavors. You'll taste the sweet hints from blueberry to cherry and black pepper all in one drink! However, when you take your first sip, be prepared for that spice kick because it comes out in full force with the charcoal aftertaste.
6. Malbec and Aged or Vintage Cheese
Malbec wines are dark in color, with a full-bodied taste. They have flavors of blackberry and red plum that bring to mind juicy jams and chocolate cake on the nose, without being too sweet or heavy for those who prefer dry wine types.
7. Beaujolais and Feta
Beaujolais is a good choice for those who want to enjoy red wine without pesky tannins. It's light-bodied, high in acidity, and low on tannin. The palate has various flavors, including raspberry, cranberry, cherry, and currant, among other fruits.
Choosing cheese for a wine
The flavour profiles of different cheeses can differ a good deal, and they require different wines for pairing. However, most people only want to drink one type wine together with their cheese platter. If you are hosting a wine and cheese party, try to make a cheese platter with similar cheeses.
Cheese for Light-bodied White Wine
If you are drinking a crisp light-bodied white like Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis and Pinot Grigio, choose goat cheese and other soft and creamy cheeses for your cheese board. Chèvre, Brie and Camembert are good cheeses for this type of wine.
Cheese for Sparkling Wine
If you are drinking a sparkling wine like Champagne or Cava, soft and creamy cheeses are excellent pairings. Choose Délice de Bourgogne, Brie, Camembert and Cremont for your cheese platter. Sparkling wine also pairs well with delicate fresh cheeses like Mozzarella, Ricotta, Feta and Halloumi.
Cheese for Full-bodied White Wine
If you are drinking a full-bodied white wine, like an oaked Chardonnay or a Viognier, choose semi-soft cheeses like Emmenthal, Gruyère and Comté. This type of cheese usually has nutty flavours that pair well with the creaminess of the oak aromas in the wine.
Cheese for Aromatic White wine
If you are drinking an aromatic white wine with a hint of sweetness, like Riesling or Gewürztraminer, choose pungent washed-rind cheeses like Munster, Morbier, Raclette, Taleggio and Livarot. These wash-rind cheeses are usually very strong and pungent with a creamy or semi-soft texture.
Cheese for Light-bodied Red wine
If you are drinking a light-bodied red wine, like Pinot Noir, Barbera or Beaujolais Nouveau, choose semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère, Comté, Emmenthal and Gouda. This type of wine also pairs well with pungent (stinky) washed-rind cheeses like Epoisses, Taleggio and Reblochon.
Cheese for Medium- or Full-bodied Red wine
If you are drinking a medium- or full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Rioja, Merlot or Sangiovese, you will be best off choosing hard cheeses like Cheddar, Manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino. These cheeses have salty and savoury flavours that pair wonderfully with rich red wines.