Wine tasting is always an enjoyable and exciting experience. As you try different wine varieties to refine your palate and knowledge of wine, cheese pairings quickly follow suit to bring out new flavors and complexities. At Mainstreet Coffee & Wine Bar, located in the heart of Lakeville, MN, they are known for their delicious wine and cheese pairings. With a passion for wine and food, they have pairings to suit the pickiest wine lover.

Here are three wine and cheese pairings from Lakeville’s favorite cafe to try on your next wine tasting adventure:

Bold Red Wine & Hard, Salty Cheese

A full-bodied red wine, such as a zinfandel or cabernet sauvignon, is known for its rich, bold flavor profile. To accentuate these flavors, try pairing your bold red wine with a hard, salty cheese. An aged gouda goes beautifully with a glass of shiraz. If you’re a tried and true cabernet sauvignon drinker, try an aged cheddar to bring out that pepper flavor at your next wine tasting. 

Sweet White Wine & Soft, “Stinky” Cheese

Certain white wines, like Riesling, have a reputation for being very sweet. To cut through the sweetness and truly enjoy this refreshing, white wine, pair it with an opposite flavor. A funky, creamy cheese like camembert or a soft, stinky blue cheese could be the perfect balance for your palate. 

Light Red Wine & Nutty Cheese

When you prefer lighter red wines, such as pinot noir, your wine-tasting palate may lean towards gentler flavors. With this in mind, try drinking a glass of pinot noir or Beaujolais with a mild, nutty cheese. Gruyere is an excellent option since it’s nutty, mild, and slightly firm. 

If you’re a local in the greater Lakeville, MN, area, and you’re looking for a cozy cafe with a top-notch selection of red wine, white wine, and beer, call Mainstreet Coffee & Wine Bar today at (952) 985-7650 to speak with their host. For more information on their wine tasting options like wine flights and food pairings, check out their website.