Pairing Cheese With Wine: A Guide To Perfect Combinations

A pair made in heaven! I am not talking about human beings here, then who else? It is the evergreen combination of Pairing Cheese With Wine! Wine and cheese are the eternal pairs that dominate our dining tables for a long time.

In this article, we will be discussing how this became a trend and what is the science behind this amazing pairing. Also, the article contains a conclusive guide for perfect combinations to try with wine and cheese. Enjoy the article with a piece of cheese and a cup of wine in your hand!

History Behind Pairing Cheese With Wine

The evergreen combination of cheese and wine dates back to 7,000 years.  It was found through certain archeological evidence that such practices of combining cheese with wine were prevalent years ago.

The main areas where such a trend might have started are Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. In the 1970s, cheese and wine parties became a trend and it conveyed the British way of enjoying life. In current times, cheese and wine combinations are prevalent even as gift hampers. 

What Is The Science Behind Pairing Cheese With Wine?

There is a bit of science behind the celebrated combination of cheese and wine. Food scientists believe that when opposite tastes are combined, it creates a pleasant feeling of taste. In the case of cheese and wine, both are placed at opposite ends of the taste spectrum.

While wine has an astringent feeling, cheese provides a fatty flavor. Both combined cancel out the characteristics of each other, which makes it a perfect delicacy combination to savor. The tannins found in wine provide a harsh and sharp feel to our taste buds. But with the high fat and protein content, cheese can cancel out this sensation. 

The Perfect Combination Of Wine And Cheese Pairing

Here are some of the ways you can pair the cheese with an ideal wine. These are listed below:

Fresh cheese: Some of the cheese varieties that come under the fresh cheese category are Ricotta, Goat’s cheese, Burrata, and Mozzarella. It is always ideal to pair fresh cheese with wines that also feel light and fresh. You can pair fresh cheese items with white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or an unoaked Chardonnay. You can also try some mild red wines with fresh cheese. These are Pinot Noir, Beaujolais or a Valpolicella.

Hard cheese– Some of the hard cheese varieties are Cheddar, Pecorino, or Parmigiano-Reggiano. These types of cheeses tend to be a bit tangy and even dry. So it is ideal to pair them with full-flavored wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon or a Barolo. You can also pair hard cheeses with Amontillado Sherry or a Fino Sherry. 

Soft-creamy cheese– Some of the most familiar cheeses fall into this category. Brie or Camembert are examples of soft-creamy cheeses. It is recommended to pair these cheeses with wines that have high acidic content. You can use Champagne, Chablis, Sancerre, Barberra,  Montepulciano d’Abruzzo varieties of wine with this cheese. 

Semi-hard cheese– Gouda, Gruyere, and Edam are the cheese varieties that come under semi-hard cheese. These cheese varieties are mild in taste. So you need to pair wines that taste a bit of flavor to this kind of cheese. Some of the wines that you can pair with these cheese varieties are oaked Chardonnay, Marsanne-Roussanne Blend, Viognier, Chianti Classico, or Cote du Rhone. 

Blue Cheese– Blue cheese is known for its funky and pungent flavors. Some of the varieties of this kind are Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Roquefort. You need to pair these sharp-tasting cheeses with wines that have an abundance of residual sugar. Some best options will be port wines, sweet Riesling from Germany, Trockenbeerenauslese, or Sauternes from France.

Final Words

Pairing Cheese With Wine is an art. It needs a meticulous analysis of the flavors and textures of both these food delicacies. Try to match contrasting flavors with each other. Also experimenting with different flavors can result in new varieties.

So the next time you pair wine with cheese, try out these tips. Also, add some bread and fruits on the platter to enhance the appearance and taste.