Red wine is almost always the first option that comes to mind when you think of this dynamic duo. While a properly aged Pinot Noir with the right cheese can be a treat, there is so much more when it comes to wine and cheese pairings. In fact, many wine experts actually prefer white wine with most cheeses.
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is paired with Sauvignon Blanc. In the summer, the cheese also goes well with Provençal Rosé. If you do get this in the summer, then you might want to enjoy the sunny afternoons on a cheese picnic. You could try a variety of red wines with fruity highlights. Beaujolais is a good choice for these types of occasions. In case you got some leftovers, you can always freeze goat cheese and re-cork your wine bottle.
Blue Cheese
Some of the popular blue cheeses include Roquefort, Stilton and Gorgonzola. The classic pairings for blue cheese are often sweet varieties such as Banyuls, Coteaux du Layon and Sauternes. If you are in the mood for something else, you can always switch it up and try Sweet Sherry or Sloe Gin. You may also like to know that blue cheese pairs well with stout beer.
Soft Cheese
Soft cheese comes in a range of consistencies so that you have the softer varieties that are spreadable such as Philadelphia Cream Cheese or the semi-soft types such as Camembert and Brie, which are white rinded cheeses. These go with a red with fruity notes such as a Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. Lovers of Rosé can also have that with soft cheeses.
Hard Cheese
The range of hard cheeses includes types of cheese such as cheddar, Manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Comté. These are some of the simplest cheeses to find wine pairings for. Try and get one of those medium-bodied reds such as Rhone Valley or Bordeaux wines. This is one of the best pairings you can pick for hard cheeses. You could also try Chardonnay from Burgundy with cheddar.
Recommended Wines and Types of Cheese to Pair Them with
- Folie Rouge Malbec, Wilfried Bourceau 2018 – pairs well with Manchego, Petit Basque and other types of sheep cheese
- Chateau Simon, Sauternes 2016– goes with blue cheeses
- Gigondas and Vacqueyras, Chateau du Trigon 2015 – these are proper all-rounders when you have a cheeseboard of French cheeses
- Meursault “Les Tillets” Domaine Denis Carre 2018 – pair this with buttery cheddar
- Chateau du Couvent, Pomerol 2018 – these pair well with varieties of hard cheeses, such as Gouda or cheddar, Comte and Gruyere.
- Champagne Philippe Gonet Blanc de Blancs Signature – it can be had with Chaource or Vacherin Mont d’Or
- Sancerre, Domaine Daniel Reverdy 2020 – pair this with feta or goat cheese. You could also use cheese with herbs and garlic
- Gevrey Chambertin, Pierre Bouree & Fils 2014 – this can be paired with Camembert and Brie.