CLASSIC WINE & CHEESE PAIRINGS
What is better than wine and cheese? A hearty bite of cheese followed by a satisfying sip of your favorite wine… I’m drooling, are you? Here are a few classic wine and cheese pairings to hit your palate just right.
Bubbles & Brie. A soft and creamy cheese like Brie needs something dry and sharp to balance the textures. Champagne is the perfect complement with its high acidity, toasty flavor, and pleasant bubble.
Pinot Grigio & Gruyere. Pinot Grigio is light and crisp, with high acidity and fruity notes. The fruit goes well with gruyere, which has a nutty flavor with a dense texture.
Sauvignon Blanc & Goat Cheese. Sauvignon Blanc is grassy, acidic, and citrus-forward. Goat cheese is earthy and tart. Pair them together and the white wine cuts through the richness of the goat cheese.
Rosé & Burrata. Rosé isn’t only for the summer… Rosé all day, right? Rosé is generally light, crisp, and fruity, which pairs well with a fresh cheese, such as a creamy burrata.
Pinot Noir & Pecorino Romano. Pinot Noir is a light to medium-bodied wine. This red wine typically has a floral or berry flavor, without being too acidic, which pairs well with Pecorino Romano due to its peppery and pungent aromatics.
Cabernet Sauvignon & Stilton. The rich flavors, bold fruits, and robust tannins of the wine need an equally bold cheese. Cabernet Sauvignon matches well with a blue cheese, such as Stilton, which is robust, earthy, and funky and can handle the boldness of the red wine.
Chianti & Provolone. Chianti tends to be herbaceous with high tannins. The perfect match is a buttery, sharp, and silky provolone.
You don’t have to be a sommelier to know what wines pair with what cheeses… Pick wines and cheeses from the same regions, as they tend to work well together. Also, keep textures in mind: lighter cheeses tend to go with lighter wines, while heavier cheeses tend to go with bolder wines.
At the end of the day, taste the wine, taste the cheese, close your eyes, and be satisfied.
