First of all, wine and cheese pairings possibilities are endless, so to simplify I will attempt to provide a general overview.
To start, let’s divide cheese into four major categories:
- Bloomy – Creamy, decadent cheeses, with a soft rind
- Hard – Stiff cheeses, which are often sharp and/or salty and can be aged
- Blue – Pungent, often salty cheeses, with a blue tinge
- Fresh – Soft, often spreadable cheeses that can be tangy or mild and usually are not aged
Which wines go with each category of cheese?
Bloomy –
- Camembert Champange
- Brie Chardonnay
- Robiola Sparkling Wine
- Taleggio Pinot Blanc
Hard –
- Gouda Merlot
- Cheddar Cabernet Sauvignon
- Parmesan Chianti
- Double Gloucester Zinfandel
- Pecorino Valpolicella
- Gruyere Sauvignon Blanc
- Fontina Bardolino
Blue –
- Gorgonzola Port
- Stilton Sauternes
- Blue Riesling
- Combozola Eiswein
Fresh –
- Ricotta Pinot Grigio
- Mozzarella Sauvignon Blanc
- Goat Chenin Blanc
- Feta Beaujolais
- Burrata Tocai Friulano
Why not experiment and try different cheeses with different wines and see what you like the best!
