How-to: Pair Wine & Cheese

Nov 29, 2007 |  John (12) |  How-to |  0 comments

Wine and cheese can pair well, but it requires some thought to insure a happy marriage. Here are a few general rules to stay on the right track:

• White wines pair with cheese more easily than reds. The high acidity that white wines contain helps cut through the creaminess in cheese.
• Sweet wines pair very nicely with many cheeses, especially pungent blues.
• Red wines are trickier to pair but generally work with hard cheeses. The more full-bodied the red, the harder the cheese should be to match it. Sample the combination before serving to insure the cheese does not create a bitter taste with the wine.
• Don't forget the Champagne. It pairs well with creamy cheeses like Brie and Camembert.
• Harder cheeses, like Cheddars and Parmesan, often work with more wine varietals than soft, creamy cheeses.
• Studies have shown that eating cheese with wine can often dampen the flavors of wine - so you don't need to open your best bottles.

Classic Wine & Cheese Pairings

Below is a list of classic wine and cheese pairings. If you stick with these, you're guaranteed some success:

• Sauvignon Blanc and goat cheese (aka Chèvre)
• Champagne and Brie
• Port and Stilton
• Sauternes and Roquefort
• Amontillado sherry and Manchego
• Cabernet Sauvignon and hard, English Cheddar

Other Popular Wine & Cheese Pairings

And finally, a more comprehensive list of popular wine and cheese pairings:


This list is by no means exhaustive, and as always, your palate is the ultimate judge—experiment and find something you like. Need more info? This article by Karen MacNeil lists some specific pairings that might work for you.

Find any bottle at the best price: try Vinquire's free wine search engine.

Cheers~
John

How-to

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