How Do You Pair Cheese With Wine?

“I’m hosting a dinner party next month with wine enthusiasts in Toronto, and I’d love to serve a variety of cheeses. I want everyone to enjoy the experience, but I’m unsure how to pair the cheeses with the wines I have. Can you help me figure out the best combinations?” Thank you, Kevin, Toronto, Canada.

How Do You Pair Cheese With Wine?

Pairing cheese with wine can indeed elevate any dinner party. There’s a lot to think about, but taking a bit of time to understand the principles can make a significant difference to the experience. Here’s a detailed guide to help you create the perfect cheese and wine pairing for your event in Toronto next month.

Understanding the Basics

First, let’s talk about why pairing cheese with wine matters. When done right, the flavors complement each other, making both the wine and the cheese taste better. This happens through a combination of taste, texture, and aroma interactions.

The Key Principles

Several fundamental principles can guide you in pairing cheese and wine:

• Match Intensity: Pair the intensity of the wine with the intensity of the cheese. Light wines go well with milder cheeses, while bold cheeses work better with full-bodied wines.
• Consider Acidity: Cheeses with higher acidity (like goat cheese) pair well with wines that are also high in acidity (like Sauvignon Blanc).
• Balance Sweetness: Sweet wines, such as Riesling, can be fantastic with salty cheeses because the sweetness balances the saltiness.
• Contrast or Complement: You can either choose to contrast tastes (e.g., salty cheese with a sweet wine) or to complement them (e.g., creamy cheese with a buttery Chardonnay).

Types of Cheese and Their Best Wine Pairs

Now, let’s get into the specifics. Here are some common types of cheese and the wines that pair well with them:

Fresh Cheeses

These include cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and goat cheese. They are usually mild and creamy.

• Mozzarella: Pairs well with light and crisp wines such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Goat Cheese: Matches nicely with Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp Chenin Blanc. The high acidity in both the cheese and the wine makes for a refreshing combination.

Bloomy Rind Cheeses

These are soft cheeses with a white, bloomy rind, such as Brie and Camembert.

• Brie: Goes well with sparkling wines like Champagne or a good sparkling rosé. The bubbles help cleanse the palate.
• Camembert: Pairs excellently with a Chardonnay. The creaminess of both the cheese and the wine blend harmoniously.

Hard Cheeses

Examples include Cheddar, Parmesan, and Manchego. These cheeses are more robust and have deeper flavors.

• Cheddar: This cheese pairs well with a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or even a full-bodied Merlot. Their boldness complements the strong flavor of the Cheddar.
• Parmesan: Matches beautifully with an aged Chianti or a Barolo. The nutty, complex flavors of the Parmesan are enhanced by the rich texture of these wines.

Blue Cheeses

These are strong, moldy cheeses such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort.

• Gorgonzola: Pairs delightfully with a sweet wine like a Sauternes or a Port. The sweetness balances the saltiness of the blue cheese.
• Roquefort: Goes well with an aromatic Gewürztraminer or a dessert wine. Again, the sweetness to saltiness ratio makes this a fantastic pairing.

Washed-Rind Cheeses

These are pungent, aromatic cheeses like Munster and Taleggio.

• Munster: This cheese pairs well with a Gewürztraminer. The aromatic profile of the wine matches well with the strong flavors of Munster.
• Taleggio: Matches nicely with a Barolo or Nebbiolo. The boldness of these wines complements the rich and pungent nature of Taleggio.

How to Present Your Pairings

It’s essential not just to pick the right combinations but also to present them in a manner that allows your guests to enjoy them to the fullest.

1. Temperature: Serve cheeses at room temperature to allow their flavors to fully express themselves. Wine should be served at its ideal temperature; reds slightly below room temperature and whites chilled.
2. Order: Start with the mildest cheeses and wines and work your way up to the strongest. This helps to keep your palate from being overwhelmed early on.
3. Quantities: A small tasting portion suffices. This allows guests to try multiple pairings without feeling too full.

Perfect Pairings for Different Wines

If you already have specific wines that you want to serve, here are a few recommendations to match those wines with complementary cheeses:

• Pinot Noir: Brie, Camembert – The light to medium body of Pinot Noir complements the creamy textures of these cheeses.
• Chardonnay: Gouda, Gruyère – A buttery Chardonnay pairs excellently with the nutty flavors of these cheeses.
• Merlot: Asiago, Parmigiano-Reggiano – The smooth, fruity profile of Merlot enhances the nutty, savory notes of these cheeses.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Goat cheese, Feta – High acidity wines like Sauvignon Blanc balance the tangy profiles of these cheeses.

Cheese and Wine Pairing Tips

Here are a few extra tips to make your cheese and wine pairing a hit:

• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try unusual combinations. Some of the best pairings can be unexpected.
• Keep it Simple: Sometimes, less is more. A carefully curated selection of 3-4 cheeses and wines can be more effective than an overwhelming variety.
• Include Palate Cleansers: Provide options like crackers, bread, and water to allow guests to cleanse their palates between tastings.

Regional Pairings

One interesting approach is to pair cheeses and wines from the same region. This often leads to natural harmony as the products share the same terroir. For example:

• France: Pair a French Brie with a French Chardonnay.
• Italy: Pair an Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano with an Italian Chianti.
• Spain: Try Manchego with a Spanish Rioja.

Last-Minute Tips for Your Party

For a seamless experience, keep some final tips in mind as your event in Toronto approaches:

• Label Everything: Create small labels for each cheese and wine, so your guests know what they’re trying.
• Preparation: Arrange your cheeses on a platter about an hour before your guests arrive to let them reach room temperature.
• Tasting Notes: Provide tasting notes or a brief description of the cheese and wine pairings. This adds an educational component and sparks conversation.

Final Thoughts…

Kevin, thank you for sending in your question. Remember that the perfect cheese and wine pairing is as much about personal preference as it is about following guidelines. With these principles, your dinner party will be a delightful experience for all your guests. Play around with different pairings, and most importantly, have fun! Your enthusiasm will surely resonate with your guests.