It’s no secret that wine and cheese go well together, and finding the perfect combination is a pleasurable experience. With numerous cheeses and wines on the market, pairing one with the other is an art. Impress your friends on your next wine tasting outing by knowing the perfect combinations.

5 Ideal Pairings of Wine & Cheese

1. Fresh Cheese & Dry Whites or Bright Red

Made with cow, goat, or sheep milk, fresh cheeses have a mild, slightly tart taste, which goes well with young and dry wines. Complement the tanginess of goat cheese with a crisp white like sauvignon blanc, or balance the sweet, creamy flavor of mozzarella with the acidic taste of pinot grigio. The German classic riesling pairs well with the sweet, mild taste of ricotta or the saltiness of feta. However, if you want a light-bodied, fruity red, go with Beaujolais.

2. Bloomy Cheese & Fruity Reds

Named for the blooming white mold on their rinds, bloomy cheeses have the richest, creamiest flavors and the softest textures. They have a distinct earthy taste that turns pungent with age. Brie is the most buttery of them all. As such, it needs a light, fruity red wine like the pinot noir or gamay.

3. Semi-Soft Cheese & Dry Whites or Reds

Somewhere in between their soft and hard cousins, semi-soft cheeses possess a buttery taste and mild flavor that matches dry wines. A slice of aged Gouda is hard and nutty, perfect for the full-bodied taste of cabernet sauvignon. The delicate hazelnut flavor of gruyere goes well with the fruity taste of a dry white such as chardonnay, similar to how Viognier complements the mild, nutty taste of Jarlsberg. As for the pungent morbier, nothing is more fitting than a glass of off-dry gewurztraminer.

4. Hard Cheese & Sparkling Whites or Bold Reds

Hard cheeses are aged long enough to have bold, intricate savory notes, with some possessing a distinct pungent smell. Parmesan becomes more nutty and salty with age; a glass a sparkling prosecco cuts through the taste. If you want reds for your wine tasting, go with aged, full-bodied ones like rioja to match the sweetness of manchego. Malbec is also excellent in offsetting the sharpness and tanginess of aged cheddar.

5. Blue Cheese & Sweet Reds

What’s common among these types is the blue mold inside them. Their flavors and textures vary across kinds—some are soft and creamy while others are crumbly and firm. They all have a characteristic sharpness and pungency that sweet reds like port and vin santo can cut through. 

Learn more about the nuances of pairing when you go to a wine tasting at Mainstreet Coffee & Wine Bar. Located in Lakeville, MN, they offer a well-curated selection of white and red wines, craft beers, and specialty coffees to both locals and visitors from nearby areas such as Farmington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Prior Lake. Call (952) 985-7650 to learn about their next wine tasting, or view their selection online.