Wine and Cheese Pairings
Serving wine with your favorite cheeses doesn’t have to be intimidating. As in any relationship, there will be the “preferred” couples, that is, the ones that everyone thinks look (and taste) divine. But you probably know more couples that don’t fit the traditional mold of the perfect match, and yet they are endlessly happy. So if you still lack the confidence to create your own personal palate pairing, the simple guide below will help get you started. After that, relax and trust your mouth to know what suits you best.
| Cheese | Suggested Wines | Suggested Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Asiago | Cabernet, merlot, syrah | Red or green grapes, figs, crusty bread |
| Blue | Cabernet, sparkling wines, port, syrah, zinfandel | Figs, pears, walnuts, fruits, nut bread |
| Brie | Sparkling wines, chardonnay, medium-bodied Pinot Noir | Green apples, strawberries, pears, crusty breads, toasted walnuts |
| Cheddar | Gewurztraminer, riesling, medium-bodied merlot, syrah | Red or green apples, grapes, cherries, cashews, dark breads |
| Gouda | Riesling, zinfandel, merlot | Red apples, toasted almonds, dark breads |
| Gruyere | Chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc, syrah | Red apples, hazelnuts, hearty breads |
| Havarti | Lesser-oaked chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, Pinot Noir | Pears, red grapes, almonds, rye bread |
| Monterey Jack | Sauvignon blanc, medium bodied merlot, zinfandel | Plums, peaches, toasted pecans |
| Mozzarella | Lesser-oaked chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, Pinot Noir | Olives, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, crusty bread |
| Parmesan | Gewurztraminer, riesling, sauvignon blanc | Figs, raisins, walnuts, hearty breads |
| Provolone | Merlot, light-bodied Pinot Noir, syrah | Pears, red grapes, figs, olives hearty breads |
| Swiss | Sauvignon blanc, young Cabernet, light-bodied Pinot Noir | Green grapes, cherries, toasted almonds, pumpernickel |