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Is struggling with pairing cheese and wine a thing of the past? Like wine, more cheesemakers are bringing classic and trendy new cheeses to American dinner tables. Today, most supermarkets stock award-winning cheeses, making finding a good wine and cheese pairing easier than ever. We’re here to answer what wine pairs with cheese?
Pairing wine and cheese is one of life’s great culinary pleasures. Texture, acidity, fat, and tannin are all factors to consider when pairing wine and food. As opposed to exotic matches like Garrotxa and Meursault, we’ve simplified the art of wine and cheese pairing so you can make your own.
WINE & CHEESE PAIRINGS
Wine and cheese pairing ideas abound. Simple categorization of cheeses into six categories.
Fresh
These are rindless and soft from cow, goat, or sheep milk. They aren’t aged and have a mild, tangy taste. The category includes tubs of farmer’s cheese, ricotta, and other cheeses.
Bloomy
The name comes from the white mold on the outside. They are the creamiest cheeses, with a soft, spreadable texture. Derived from the rind, which is more pungent than the interior,
Rind Wash
A brine, beer, or wine bath produces an orange rind. Rich, creamy, and soft or semi-soft in texture. They have gamier, often pungent, notes than bloomy cheeses.
Semi-Soft
They don’t spread or shatter like hard cheese. They are creamy and mild in flavor. Many melt and slice beautifully. Some cheeses, like Gouda, are semi-soft when young and harden with age. Goat cheese often falls in this category.
Hard
These are aged and crumble or shard into crumbles. They have nutty and savory notes. Some are sour and salty.
Blue Cheeses
Blue mold veins run through this variety. They can be creamy or semi-soft. Some are sweeter and milder, but all blue cheeses have a lot of tang.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RED & WHITE WINES
It’s all about the grapes. Red wine is made from dark grapes, while white wine is made from light, pink, or white grapes. There are exceptions, but this is a general rule. But the differences don’t end there. Red and white wines are made differently after picking.
Red wines ferment with the whole grape, including the skins and seeds, while white wines are pressed to remove the skins and seeds.
TANNINS AND CHEESE
What are tannins? The astringent bitterness you taste in a tea bag or an apple skin is a tannin. While tannins are part of what makes red wine unique, they can be difficult to pair with cheese.
In practice, this means choosing lighter reds with less tannins, unless you’re pairing them with strong cheeses.
FRUIT AND CHEESE
Matching the strength of your wine to your cheese is an important step in finding your perfect pairing. Instead, choose fruity, mild reds like pinot noir or Beaujolais that pair well with these delicate cheeses.
RED WINES FOR CHEESE PAIRING
Beaujolais
Beaujolais wines are light-bodied, low in tannins, and full of tart, fruity acidity, perfect for cheese pairing. In a pinch, this is our top red wine and cheese pairing pick.
Pairings of Beaujolais and Cheese:
- Muenster
- Swiss
- Young Cheddar
Cabernet Franc
Want a bolder red that still goes with cheese? Consider a cabernet franc. Intense notes of fresh pepper, plum and berries combine with acidity to balance salty, fresh cheeses like feta.
Pairings of Cabernet Franc and Cheese:
- Feta
- Fontina
- Gorgonzola
- Goat Cheese
Cabernet Sauvignon
This or syrah can be difficult to pair with cheese. The more tannins a wine has, the more difficult it is to pair.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done! If you want cheese with your bold cabernet, go for a strong, hardy cheese like an 8 or 10 year aged cheddar. Aged nutty cheeses can better balance the oaky finish of cabernet sauvignon.
Pairings Of Cabernet Sauvignon And Cheese:
- Aged Cheddar
- Aged Swiss
- Roth Private Reserve
Pinot Noir
I also enjoy a light to medium-bodied Pinot with cheese. Pinots are higher in tannins and fruitier than Beaujolais, making them a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses.
Pairings of Pinot and Cheese:
- Blue
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
WHITE WINE PAIRING WITH CHEESE
Riesling
This white wine is pretty universal. If you’re new to the world of wine pairing and cheese, start with a Riesling. This floral, aromatic German wine has a high acidity, making it taste fresh and crisp. I always have Riesling on hand for an unexpected cheese board.
Cheese Pairings for Riesling:
- Asiago
- Blue
- Gorgonzola
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a popular drink among young people because it is crisp, light, and refreshing. This wine is delicately flavored, so choose a cheese that matches it.
We prefer milky, mildly sweet cheeses that are still young in maturity. Sauv Blanc and Wisconsin Brick are a cheese lover’s dream.
Pairings of Sauvignon Blanc and Cheese:
- Brick
- Gouda
- Muenster
Chardonnay
What comes to mind when you hear the word Chardonnay? Buttery. This rich, full-bodied white wine is a favorite across the country. With this wine, we suggest a complementary cheese like butterkäse or a contradictory cheese like a dry, sharp aged parmesan. Any Wisconsin cheese will do, as long as it is fresh.
Pairings Of Chardonnay And Cheese:
- Alpine-Style
- Butterkäse
- Parmesan
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio, or pinot gris, is from Alsace, France. This dry wine pairs well with creamier cheeses. We love it with some fresh mozzarella. It generally does not pair as well with goat cheese.
Pairings of Pinot Grigio and Cheese
- Cheddar
- Feta
- Mozzarella
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc is the lighter, more fun sister of pinot noir. It’s crisp, refreshing, and acidic, just like a great cheese pairing. Pinot blanc goes well with soft, creamy, and delicious fresh cheeses.
Pairings of Pinot Blanc and Cheese:
- Baby Swiss
- Feta
- Gouda
CLICK HERE to read about the 10 most popular types of wine!
Summary: What Wine Pairs With Cheese?
Is struggling with wine-and-cheese pairing a thing of the past? Like wine, more cheesemakers are bringing classic and trendy new cheeses to American dinner tables. Today, most supermarkets stock award-winning cheeses, making finding a good wine and cheese pairing easier than ever. We’re here to answer what wine pairs with cheese?
Pairing cheese and wine is one of life’s great culinary pleasures. Texture, acidity, fat, and tannin are all factors to consider when pairing wine and food. The nutty flavors of many kinds of cheese are a great pairing with wine.
