Wine and cheese pairing - food pairings

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Beginner's guide to wine and cheese pairings

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Top tips for wine and cheese pairings

You’ve beautifully laid out your cheese board with crackers, nuts, olives, and slices of artisan bread. Now comes the grand decision – which wine to open?

Acidity is your friend when it comes to wine and cheese pairings. Wines high in acidity counterbalance the richness of most cheeses, offering a refreshing palate cleanser between bites. So, whether you’re eyeing a red, white, sparkling, or sweet wine, opt for those rich in acidity to achieve the perfect pairing.
Contrasting tastes can often pave the way for winning combinations. For example, salty cheeses like blue cheese or feta form a harmonious duo with rich dessert wines like Port. If you’re in the mood for something bubbly, the fizziness of Sparkling wines juxtaposed with a creamy Brie or Camembert is a delightful treat. Prosecco’s lively bubbles offer a charming balance to the robust flavour of an aged Parmesan.
Consider matching wines and cheeses with similar traits. For example, a nutty, robust Palo Cortado Sherry pairs beautifully with a Comté or Gruyère. When it comes to pairing stronger, mature cheeses, why not pour a glass of bold Shiraz? With its deep, dark fruit flavours and spicy notes, Shiraz can stand up to the robustness of aged Cheddar or Gouda, the two complementing each other in flavour and texture.
Try matching your wine to the cheese’s age and intensity. The more pronounced the cheese’s flavour, the more distinctive the flavours of the wine should be. Mature cheeses revel in the company of bold, tannic reds, while softer, fresher cheeses enjoy a light and juicy partner such as Gamay or young Grenache.
If you’re unsure which wine to pair with a particular cheese, remember the saying, ‘what grows together, goes together.’ This means you should look for wines from the same geographical region as the cheese. By following the locals’ lead, you can’t go wrong. For example, if you have Yarra Valley Persian Feta, pair it with a Yarra Valley Sauvignon Blanc. This locally inspired pairing beautifully showcases the region’s outstanding produce.

Classic wine and cheese pairings

From creamy Brie to salty Stilton, the right wine can perfectly complement many different types of cheese. Here are six of our favourite pairings.

Aged Gouda and Cabernet Franc

Mature Gouda is sharp with an almost spicy flavour, and the richness of its umami notes calls for fruit and substance. This robust character pairs delightfully with the fruity depths of a Cabernet Franc.

The combination of red berry and cherry notes, ripe red capsicum, and floral accents perfectly complement the robust character of an aged Gouda cheese. And the tannin balance is perfect for this cheese.

While a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon might be your go-to, don’t hesitate to explore a Right Bank Bordeaux blend or premium Margaret River red with a generous inclusion of Cabernet Franc.

Brie and Sparkling wine

Rich, decadent Brie calls for something laser-sharp to slice through its creamy texture. A perfect match is a glass of effervescent Sparkling wines. Champagne and other Sparkling wines made using the traditional method spend time maturing on lees, giving them a wonderful yeasty, toasty flavour. This pairs deliciously well with soft cheeses like Brie’s earthy, mushroom-like richness. If you prefer red wines, Pinot Noir or Beaujolais with their fruit-forward notes, make the perfect companions for this rich, decadent cheese.

Cheddar and Cabernet Sauvignon

A bold, well-matured Cheddar deserves a robust, full-bodied wine. A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon fits the bill, enhancing the flavours, not overpowering them. The wine’s fruit-forward profile and ripe boldness match Cheddar’s sharp, salty tang, while its tannins harmonise splendidly with the cheese’s proteins and fats.

Goat cheese and Sauvignon Blanc

This classic combination is an excellent example of the ‘what grows together, goes together’ principle. Renowned globally for both its goat cheese and Sauvignon Blanc, the residents of the Loire Valley might well have been the pioneers of this outstanding combination.

Adelaide Hills is renowned for quality cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc, as well as exceptional goat cheeses like Chévre or Goat’s Curd. Wine and cheese lovers everywhere agree that this pairing is a winner. The refreshing citrus, noticeable acidity, and mineral notes of wine perfectly complement the tangy and earthy flavour of fresh goat cheese.

Stilton and Port

Blue cheeses like Stilton are known for their earthy and strong umami flavours. As such, they need a wine that can hold its own and add balance. Dessert wines are an excellent option for this and a robust red Port is a fantastic partner for blue cheese. Its deep, vibrant notes of dark fruit, baking spices, and cocoa complement the strong character of the blue cheese. Other dessert wines such as Sauternes, Tokaji, and the sweeter varieties of Sherry are also good choices when pairing with Gorgonzola.

Washed-Rind cheese and Gewürztraminer

With their pungent aromas, washed-rind cheeses are often called the ‘stinkiest of cheeses’. When pairing wine with a bold Munster, Taleggio, or Gruyère you have to go bold. And let’s not forget the infamously fragrant Stinking Bishop, a cheese that packs a punch in both name and nature!

An aromatic Gewürztraminer, rich tropical fruit and floral notes make it a perfect match for a strong, washed-rind cheese. While other wines may struggle to stand up to the intense flavours of washed-rind cheeses, Gewürztraminer is up for the challenge. Its robust personality and bold flavours make it a perfect companion for these strong cheeses.

Why not give it a try? Discover the perfect wine for pairing with cheese at Laithwaites.