If you’re looking for a tasty snack to pair with wine, one of the most popular options is cheese. Of all the food and drink combinations, wine and cheese make the best duo. Many say it’s because of the mutual ability for one to improve the taste of the other, while others appreciate the mouthfeel. Whether you’re biting into a piece of gruyere with your favorite chardonnay at a winery or sipping on pinot noir accompanied with brie at home, you may be curious why these different flavors work so well together.

Why Wine & Cheese Pair So Perfectly

1. Astringency

If you’re a frequent patron of a fine winery, you’re likely familiar with astringency. Wine is an astringent drink, meaning it solidifies the saliva in your mouth and leaves surfaces sticky and dry. Most aren’t fond of that dryness. The solution to this is a fatty food that would re-lubricate the mouth. Thus, cheese becomes the perfect foil. Cheese offers the desirable balance between parched and saturated.

2. Mouthfeel

As you continue drinking wine, the astringency and the physical feeling of a rough, dry mouth grows. That sensation often doesn’t bode well for the taste of the wine after a while. In contrast, cheese offers a slippery feeling that may seem a bit too oily on its own. Together, they balance each other out to create a continuous, pleasant mouthfeel. Cheese eases the coarseness while wine cuts through the fattiness.

3. Tannin

Every wine tastes different, but the characteristic flavors of each are due to tannin. Tannin is a phenol found in grape skins, stems, and seeds. It gives a wine its bitterness and astringency. A winery will use varying amounts of tannin in the wine-making process, where reds contain the highest levels and whites carry the lowest. The acrid aftertaste that sticks around after a sip can be unpleasant. High-protein, high-fat foods effectively counteract the bitterness of tannin. The creamy, lightly sweet flavor of cheese serves as an ideal replacement and a wonderful pairing for your wine.

For a night full of fine wine, delicious food, and relaxation, come to Hidden Lake Winery & Banquet Center in Aviston, IL. With a variety of award-winning wines locally grown and crafted right in their winery, you’ll easily find a bottle or two to suit your tastes. Those looking to enjoy their stay long-term can book a cabin or rent out the banquet hall for private events. To learn more, call (618) 228-9111. Take a look at their wine list and menu online.