How to Pair Wine with Cheese

Everyone knows that wine and cheese are an untouchable combination, but when it comes to actually finding perfect combinations yourself, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the information. This short guide will provide you with a rundown of the basics to get you started; before you know it, people will be askingyou for help on how to pair the two!

To start, the easiest way to ruin a wine and cheese pairing is by combining your cheese with a wine that has low acidity. Wine with higher acidity levels will cut through the cheese’s natural richness, allowing the wine and cheese to contrast each other with every bite and sip.

Furthermore, intense reds are best paired with drier, aged cheeses that tend to have a more crumbly texture. For example, take a wheel of Cheddar made from one of our cheesemaking kits that has been aged for multiple months; depending on the flavours you infused your Cheddar with, the natural nuttiness and sharpness will mesh beautifully with Cabernet Sauvignon or a vintage Port.

On the other hand, softer, fresh milk cheeses such as goat cheese pair best with crisp, citrusy whites such as Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, as they bring out the natural citrus flavours that are found in goat cheese, while still cutting through its creaminess. That being said, feel free to experiment with different combinations of cheese and wine to find your favourite pairing, these are just introductory recommendations! For instance, if you aren’t a fan of blue cheese in general, there’s no guarantee that you will love it just because it’s been paired with its natural pairing: sweeter wines like Sauternes. I recommend starting with either a wine you like, or a cheese you like, and then find the appropriate pairing from there.

Of course, there is much more to explore in the world of wine and cheese pairing, but hopefully, this crash course on pairing the two is enough to get your foot in the door. Happy cheesemaking!