National Cheese Lover’s Day is Jan. 20, and few drinks pair as well with cheese as wine. Finding the right kind to enjoy with your selected cheeses isn’t as simple as it seems. Some wines have more acidity than others, which brings out the flavor in creamier cheeses more than others. Others taste more fruity and are best enjoyed with hard cheeses. Understanding why cheese and wine are a match made in food heaven can help you prepare your pairings for the best flavor. 

How to Choose the Right Wines for Cheese

Why They Taste Great Together

Wine consists of astringents called tannins, which emphasize the acidity of the drink. Cheese is a fatty food which can leave your mouth feeling oily after consumption. When paired well together, they complement each other. The key to a happy palate is balancing the many different flavors of wine and cheese, so they mesh with one another rather than overwhelm each other or your taste buds.

Which Wines & Cheese Pair Best

Intensely flavored cheeses such as asiago taste better when they’re matched with wines that have more than 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). On the other hand, options with less than 12% ABV should be enjoyed with mild-flavored cheeses such as fontina. A sweet Moscato will bring out the flavor of a blue-veined cheese such as Roquefort. Reds always taste best with an aged cheese such as cheddar or Gouda. Sparkling varieties also are best reserved for cheeses with creamy textures, such as Muenster.

If you’re looking for the best wine to indulge in with cheese, you’ll find a large selection of choices at Evergreen Liquor Store in Kalispell, MT. Featuring all types of vinos from various years, this liquor store has been a top supplier of adult beverages at affordable prices for more than 30 years. Stop by today or call (406) 755-1408. You can also learn more about their selection online.