Pairing Wine and Cheese

Pairing wine and cheese perfectly requires you to buy a good premium cheese and high quality wine.

After selecting a high quality cheese, the temperature of the cheese when you serve it should be room temperature! Set the cheese out at least 3 hours before serving time. It really is true that $5 cheese will taste like $20 cheese at the right temperature and $20 cheese will taste like $5 cheese at the wrong temperature. When you offer it to your guests, your Brie should be weeping, your Blue Cheese should be smelley, and your Reggiano glistening with a hint of its oil.

The proper temperature of your wine is important just the same. White wine is served cold and red wine at room temperature.

Present wine and cheese together on a memorable serving platter combining both sweetness and texture. The cheeses you choose should follow the flavors and intensity of the wine. If you are drinking a big, intense wine, choose a big, intense cheese. For example, if you've chosen Petit Sirah wine (a big, deep colored and full bodied wine), choose a Gorgonzola cheese. This creamy, classic Italian cow's milk blue cheese is available in Mountain (aged) and Dolce (sweet) varieties.

When opting to serve a good Sauvignon Blanc (which tends to be crisp, light, and medium bodied), pair it with goat cheese, one that is light and delightfully tart, maybe even tangy. Also keep in mind that the more acidic your wine is, the higher the fat content of the cheese needs to be in order to balance the flavors.

A young, fresh goat cheese, goes very well with Robert Mondavi Winery Fume Blanc Reserve or Pinot Grigio. Or you can try, St. Paulin (also known as Port Salut), good companion for fruit and light wine.

When drinking Chardonnay, choose a well-aged Brie, Camembert. This wine has the acidity in it to enhance the creamier cheeses. For Reggiano and Blue cheeses you can try my Old Vine Petit Sirah Zinfandel.

Serving wine and cheese combinations can also allow you to choose contrasting flavors for something really different. You can opt to serve a crisp, fruity sparkling wine with Reggiano cheese! What a contrast for the taste buds!

A quality cheese combined with both sweet and savory ingredients can make serving the ultimate cheese course a creative and colorful celebration every time. Have fun and experiment with your favorite flavors at your next wine and cheese party! Don't be afraid to try some of the Newest Wines for some adventure. Also, giving a Wine and Cheese Gift Basket is also a wonderful idea for honoring any special occasion.