The Ultimate Wine & Cheese Pairings
Coffee and cream. Peanut butter and jelly. Wine and cheese. As pairings go, there’s none better than wine and cheese. Though great on their own, something wonderful happens when wine and cheese are enjoyed together. Rich, creamy or salty cheeses complement the acidic and tannic qualities of wine – balancing out the flavors in the mouth and creating delicious harmony. If you’re planning a dinner party, or Hosting a Wine Tasting and need an idea of where to start, these wine and cheese pairings are matches made in heaven.
Merlot + Gouda
A mild, semi-soft cheese like Gouda is particularly fantastic when paired with a tannic Merlot that showcases plenty of red, ripe fruit.
TRY WITH:
Lumière de Vie 2012 California Merlot
Zinfandel + Havarti
A powerful wine with spicy or smoky flavors like a Zinfandel is counteracted by the mild creaminess of this Danish cow’s milk cheese.
TRY WITH:
Fleur Bleu 2014 California Zinfandel
Cabernet + Sharp Cheddar
Only a sharp cheese like Cheddar can hold up to the strength of a big, bold Cab (whether it be a Cab Sauvignon or Cab Franc).
TRY WITH:
Lumière De Vie 2014 California Cabernet Sauvignon
Harlow Court 2013 North Coast Cabernet Franc
Pinot Noir + Blue Cheese
An earthy Pinot Noir with creamy flavors of berries and plums pairs well with the salty, spicy pungency of a rich blue cheese.
TRY WITH:
Elan Cellars 2013 Napa Valley Pinot Noir
Chardonnay + Camembert
These two form a perfect union. Creamy, soft-ripened Camembert will counteract the acidity of a crisp Chardonnay, enhance a fruity Chardonnay or complement a rich, buttery Chard.
TRY WITH:
Joy Cellars 2014 Lodi Chardonnay
Fleur Bleu 2015 Lodi Chardonnay
Sparkling Wine + Brie
A glass of slightly sweet bubbly with good acidity throughout the palate calls for a soft, mild cheese like Brie. Want to take this pairing over the edge? Two words: baked Brie.
TRY WITH:
Petit Cadeau Semi-Seco Sparkling Wine
Sauvignon Blanc + Goat Cheese
The zip and zest of a Sauvignon Blanc is equaled by the acidity and bite of goat cheese or young goat cheese – called chèvre. This pairing is a classic for a reason.
TRY WITH:
Adagio 2014 Valle Central, Chile Sauvignon Blanc
Lumière de Vie 2015 California Sauvignon Blanc
Muscat + Swiss
A fragrant, invitingly sweet white wine like Muscat is complemented by a mild cheese like Swiss, which allows the flavors of the wine to shine through.
TRY WITH:
Milano Cellars 2013 California Muscat Canelli
Joy Cellars 2013 Mendocino Muscat