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.
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. |
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| Cream Cheese, Mascarpone, Neufchatel | Champagne | Apples, Grapes, Pears, Mangos, Melons |
| Soft, Ripened Cheeses Mild with smooth and creamy-to-oozy textures and thin skins. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 are some of your favorite 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.
