Wine and Cheese Combinations

wine and cheese
There are no strict rules to finding perfect wine and cheese combinations because choosing wine and choosing cheese is really a matter of personal preference.
Classic Wine and Cheese Combinations Guidelines
Though there are no strict rules when matching the right wine with the right cheese, due to the strong flavors in certain cheeses and wines, there are a few guidelines.
  • Matching by intensity of flavors - Big, intense wines generally match well with cheeses that have strong flavor characteristics and light, fruitier wines generally match well with creamier, mellow cheeses.
  • Pair hard cheeses with red wine.
  • Pair soft, creamy cheeses with white wine.

Matching Wine and Cheese via Region

Matching wine and cheese by region isn't a failsafe and doesn't guarantee that the two will marry well together, but it's a good general guideline to use. So, if you're drinking an Italian red, pair it with an Italian cheese like Parmesan, Asiago or Gorgonzola. If you're drinking a nice French white, choose a French cheese like Boursin, Camembert or Rouquefort.

White Wine and Cheese

To get you started on your wine and cheese matching journey, here is a list of cheeses that pair well with white wines.

Chardonnay

Oaky and buttery Chard's are more difficult to match with cheese than young, acidic un-oaked Chard's. So, think the creamier the cheese, the less oaky and buttery the wine.
  • Mild Cheddar
  • Gruyere
  • Provolone
  • Bel Paese
  • Chevre

Sauvignon Blanc

  • Blue Castello
  • Derby
  • Gruyere
  • Neufchatel
  • Humboldt goat cheese
  • Fresh Mozzarella
  • Havarti

Sparkling Wine and Champagne

Sparkling wines and Champagne go well with cheese that has a higher milk-fat content because the crispness of the sparkling wine and Champagne, along with the carbonation, easily cut through any fat that coats your palate.
  • Baby Swiss
  • Mild Cheddar
  • Brie
  • Colby
  • Chevre
Dessert Wines
Matching dessert wines with cheese is the easiest of all matches because the sweetness of dessert wine happily balances the saltiness of strong, pungent cheese. An easy rule to keep in mind when matching sweet dessert wines with cheese is go for the full on opposite flavors -- think along the lines of pairing a strong cheese like Stilton with a very sweet Sauternes. Here are a few suggestions to take into consideration:
  • Mascarpone
  • Stilton
  • Brie
  • Roquefort
  • Bleu cheese
Red wines and cheese next time!