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Wine and Cheese Pairings

Wine and Cheese Pairings

If you are anything like me, you will eat any cheese that tastes great and pair it with any wine in the same fashion.

wine and fruit pairing

However, if you are preparing for the holidays with big celebrations and want to impress your guests, then the following chart will help guide you in pairing the right wine with your cheese and fruits selections.

Please note that when pairing cheese and wine, it’s a personal decision not a hard and fast rule.

Cheese Wine Fruit
Soft, Fresh Cheeses
Uncooked, unripened cheeses, mild and creamy with a slight tang; spreadable.
Cream Cheese, Mascarpone, Neufchatel Champagne Apples, Grapes, Pears, Mangos, Melons
Soft, Ripened Cheeses
Mild with smooth and creamy-to-oozy textures and thin skins.
Brie, Camembert Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Port, Sherry Plums, Berries, Apples
Semi-Soft Cheeses
Mild, buttery taste and smooth texture; easily sliced.
Fontina Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio Apples, Pears
Havarti Chardonnay, Dry Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc Grapes, Pears, Raisins
Monterey Jack, Muenster Beaujolais, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc Plums, Strawberries, Peaches
Mozzarella (Fresh) Beaujolais, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir Berries, Melons, Peaches, Pineapple
Semi-Hard Cheeses
Rich, nutty, often mild flavors with textures from smooth to holey to flaky.
Cheddar, Edam, Gouda Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling Apples, Grapes, Peaches, Pears
Emmentaler, Swiss Champagne, Gewurtzraminer, Riesling Apples, Grapes, Peaches, Pears
Gruyère, Provolone Amarone, Beaujolais, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Port Grapes, Melons, Peaches, Pineapple
Hard Cheeses
Aged cheeses with intense, sharp flavors.
Aged Asiago Bardolino, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Rioja, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc Apples, Pears
Parmesan Burgundy, Chianti, Merlot, Riesling Apples, Figs, Grapes
Romano Amarone, Barbesco, Barolo, Chianti, Zinfandel Melons, Mangos
Hispanic-Style Cheeses (Quesos)
Hispanic cheeses run the gamut of flavors and textures, and then some. Below are three popular Mexican cheeses suitable for wine and cheese pairing.
Asadero (semi-soft, a cross between Mozzarella and Monterey Jack) Champagne, Chardonnay Apples, Peaches, Pears
Cotija
(hard, pungent, similar to Parmesan)
Chardonnay, Riesling Bananas, Berries, Mangos
Queso Blanco (fresh, crumbly, similar to Monterey Jack) Dry Rosé Grapes, Pears, Raisins
Blue-Veined Cheeses
Intensely sharp, pungent, earthy flavors, aromatic with smooth-to-crumbly textures.
Blue, Gorgonzola, Roquefort Amarone, Moscato, Port, Sauternes Apples, Grapes, Pears
Stilton Port Pears
Goat Cheeses
Sharp, tangy flavors and textures ranging from soft and crumbly to hard, depending on aging.
Chèvre, Feta Champagne, Chenin Blanc, Pouilly Fume, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc Apples, Pears, Peaches

Now that you have this chart go ahead and impress your guests by providing them with an assortment of cheese, wines and fruits to satisfy any palate. 

what cheese pairs well with white wine?

What are some of your favorite wine and cheese pairings?  

white wine and cheese pairings

I enjoy Liberty Creek Wines, and Moscato is my favorite especially when paired with Goat Cheese and slices of pears.  

I love that the owners of Summit Liquors agreed to keep 2 bottles in the refrigerated case so it’s always cold when I make my weekly purchase. what cheese to pair with Moscato