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What are Some Good Cheese and Wine Pairings?
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
The pairing of cheese and wine can sound confusing, but can lead to delicious combinations. While no guidelines are exact, some general flavor blends are surefire hits. Once you master the basic ideas of wine and cheese tastings, get as experimental as you wish. With good cheese and delicious wine, no combination can be a true disaster.
If you enjoy white wines, common theory suggests enjoying them with soft cheeses. Red wine fans will often be directed toward hard cheese pairings. However, these rules are only suggestions, and the most important element to cheese and wine pairings is the blending of flavors, not textures.
Mild whites such as Sauvignon Blanc pair well with delicately flavored cheese such as Gruyere or Asiago. The flavors will not overwhelm one another and will permit the taster to experience new subtleties in both the cheese and wine. Mild reds, such as fruity Beaujolais, are often paired with Camembert. The light tang of the cheese highlights the fruit flavors, increasing the character of the wine.
For a medium bodied white, such as Chardonnay or Gewürztraminer are delicious served with mild cheddars or mild goat cheeses. These are refreshing combinations that maintain the crisp flavors of both elements. Medium reds, such as Merlot, Chianti, and Shiraz, contain more tannins and somewhat heavier flavors than their lighter siblings, and can stand up to a stronger cheese. Fresh Mozzarella, Pecorino, and medium Cheddars such as Dubliner all go well with medium whites. Medium wines can combine well with a wide variety of cheese flavors, and make excellent bases for experiments.
For truly full bodied or sweet dessert wines, strong cheese and wine matches make an explosive combination for the palette. Aged Gouda or authentic Stilton are stunners when combined with Port. Heavy, spicy Zinfandels match well with strong Bleu cheeses or bright English Cheddar. Flowery Viogniers are often paired with assertive flavors, such as those found in aged goat cheese such as Chevre.
To set up a progressive cheese and wine tasting, it is recommended that you start with light combinations and work toward heavier flavors. Tastings can be based around specific flavors, varieties or colors of wines. One popular way to taste is to choose mild, medium and heavy versions of a cheese like cheddar, and serve with appropriate wines. Alternatively, you could try a tasting of different-bodies Chardonnays, each combined with a separate cheese. If you simply wish to find a cheese to serve that will match a variety of available wines, medium flavors such as Pecorino or mild Brie combine well with many wines.
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.
Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.
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![Fontina cheese goes well with mild white wines.]()
By: LsantilliFontina cheese goes well with mild white wines. -
![Gruyere cheese goes well with sauvignon blanc.]()
Gruyere cheese goes well with sauvignon blanc. -
![Chevre often pairs well with viogniers.]()
Chevre often pairs well with viogniers. -
![White wine generally goes well with soft cheeses.]()
White wine generally goes well with soft cheeses. -
![A glass of red wine.]()
By: M.studioA glass of red wine. -
![Cheddar cheese goes with many wines.]()
By: Bert FolsomCheddar cheese goes with many wines. -
![Aged Gouda is perfect for serving with Port.]()
By: rgbdigital.co.ukAged Gouda is perfect for serving with Port. -
![Hard cheeses pair best with red wine.]()
By: Studio BarcelonaHard cheeses pair best with red wine. -
![Medium red wines, like Merlot, Shiraz and Chianti, can be paired with stronger cheeses.]()
By: Oleg ZhukovMedium red wines, like Merlot, Shiraz and Chianti, can be paired with stronger cheeses.
Discussion Comments
I love the tips given but when pairing wine and cheese it's also good to think about any side dishes that will be served.
I think crackers, nuts, olives and fruit (cut into small pieces) are essential to cleanse the palate and refresh your appetite. Cheese alone can be a little heavy and rich.
@angelBraids - Three or four of each should be enough, the more important thing is to get a good balance of reds and whites. Avoid going for similar tastes in either the wine or the cheese. I always think guests appreciate a variety of distinct flavors, and they'll take longer to taste and talk about each one too.
You could always have a few ideas in hand to extend the party, should you get through the tasting section too quickly. Competitions to guess prices or rate favorite combinations can be fun. I would prepare a couple of small prizes just in case you do this, something like cheese knives would be perfect.
Thanks for this excellent article. I'm planning my first ever cheese and wine party and was a bit lost when it came down to knowing what goes with what!
I'm still not sure how many types of wine and cheese pairings I should aim for though. The party will last around two hours but I don't want to overwhelm my guests with too many. Would four reds and four whites be enough?
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