Cheese Pairing Guide 2019
You don’t have to be a professional ‘sommelier’ or ‘fromager’ to know that cheese and wine go together. That’s why we’ve compiled our ultimate cheese pairing guide of 2019.
Good enough to eat with a cracker, yes, but why.
Whether you’re hosting an elegant soiree, throwing a raucous party or sharing a romantic meal for two, cheese and wine should always be invited. The trick is to know what wines go best with what cheeses as the wrong pairings can leave your guests with a bad taste in their mouths – literally.
Now you may think the pairing of wine and cheese is beyond your scope and expertise but nothing could be further from the truth. You really don’t have to be a wine expert (sommelier) or a cheese expert (fromager) to know what cheeses and wines work well together and which don’t.
As long as you love cheese in any form (yes, any cheese lover will surely love this game which features a free spins bonus round and can be played with a no deposit bonus code), your journey of cheese and wine pairing will be never-ending.
You just have to have a half decent sense of taste and smell (a ‘palate’) and know some ‘cheese and wine pairing ‘basics,’ such as a ‘bland’ cheese like Ricotta pairs well with a sweet wine like a Riesling, but not with dry wine like a Chardonnay.
Or that Feta pairs well with ‘fruity’ wines like a Rose or a Red, but not with ‘bubblies’ like Champagne or sparkling wine. You get the idea.
That said many people would argue that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to food and drink, which means you can ‘mix and match’ wines and cheeses as you see fit. It’s your party after all.
In fact, the more cheese and wines you buy and experiment with, the faster you’ll learn which pairings work and which don’t. Then it’s just a matter of time before you become a cheese and wine guru and impress your friends, family, colleagues and love interests with your expertise.
Now that you’ve been given a crash course in the basics of cheese and wine pairings, it’s time for the main course, so to speak, which is our 2019 cheese pairing guide.
We’ve hand-picked 13 easily available and highly popular cheeses (in alphabetical order) and paired them with what we consider to be the best wines of 2019 on the planet as (price and availability being no object).
| Cheese | Pairing Variety | Recommended Wine |
| Aged Cheddar | Malbec | Lindaflor La Violeta Malbec 2010 - This exciting red comes from the Monteviejo winery in Argentina. It’s been described as fruity (cherries, strawberries and blackberries) and floral, with undertones of oak and a lingering smooth and decadent licorice finish that would suit any aged Chedder cheese. |
| Aged Gouda | Cabernet Sauvignon | Scarecrow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - This red from Scarecrow winery in California has been called ‘spectacular’ due to its complex bouquet of fruits (blueberry and cassis), its subtle notes of sandalwood, and a lengthy vanilla finish with just a hint of tobacco to make any aged Gouda incredible. |
| Bleu Cheese | Port | Cartuxa Portuguese Alentejo Red 2005 - This luxurious red hails from the Cartuxa winery in Alentejo, Portugal and has a nutty and oaky profile complimented with notes of nutmeg and vanilla and a smooth chocolate finish - the perfect companion to any rich and smooth well-aged bleu cheese. |
| Brie | Pinot Noir | Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley 2016 - This red from the heart of Burgundy is crammed with smoky and fruity tones, along with a fragrant and floral nose that is only surpassed by its smooth and silky tannins, subtle acidity and finish of spices ideal to be enjoyed with the ripest of Brie cheeses. |
| Feta | Beaujolais | Beaujolais Les Violettes Gamay 2017 - Produced by Barton & Guestier in Beaujolais, France, this has been described as a ‘cheeky red’ with a fruitier nose than most, yet with a sweetness and lightness and a finish that is long-lasting with slight notes of vanilla, that is the ideal counterpoint to Feta’s saltiness. |
| Fondue | Sauternes | Château d'Yquem Bordeaux Sauternes 2001 - This dessert wine from Sauternes, France is as crisp as a Winter’s morning with a rich colour that is only outshone by its smooth and complex flavour that would take any fondue to the next level. Its balance of sweet and acidic is nothing short of perfection. |
| Goat Cheese | Sauvignon Blanc | Piccadilly Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2017 - This zesty white from Michael Hall Wines in Australia is as crispy as you’d expect from a Sauvignon Blanc and more. Its acidic, smooth and robust notes are underscored by its lightness and lasting finish that make it a friend of even the strongest goat cheese. |
| Gruyere | Chardonnay | Delheim Chardonnay Sur Lie 2016 - This South African white from Stellenbosch has earned many fans with its vanilla and citrus undertones, its well-balanced fruitiness and acidity and its oak notes that make it ideal now or safe to cellar for longer. A great wine to showcase the sharpness of Gruyere. |
| Jarlsberg | Viognier | Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier 2004 - Enjoy Norway’s finest Jarlsberg with a glass of this Viognier from the La Motte winery in Franschhoek, South Africa. Its dark and fruity nose has undertones of cigars and leather with a silky yet robust roasted oak body that delivers a smooth and lasting finish. |
| Manchego | Rioja | Finca Monasterio Rioja 2016 - This red from the Baron de Ley winery in Rioja, Spain has a bold oak nose, and yet is smooth and fruity with tannins that don’t overpower the palate plus a smoky edge to it. With a vanilla and plum finish that lingers for a long while, it goes perfectly with Manchego cheese. |
| Morbier | Gewürztraminer | Joseph Gewürztraminer 2016 - This white from J. Hofstätter winery in Südtirol - Alto Adige, Italy has a floral bouquet second to none. With notes of rose petals and peaches to honeysuckle and even ginger, this wine is easy on the nose, easier on the palate and delicious when enjoyed with a slice of Morbier. |
| Mozzarella | Pinot Grigio | Pinot Grigio Alto Adige 2017 - This white from Santa Margherita winery Südtirol - Alto Adige, Italy boasts a fresh, bold and crisp nose that has notes of apple blossoms, almonds, pears and honey. With its smooth citrusy / tropical fruit finish, it’s the ideal pairing partner for a robust cheese like Mozzarella. |
| Parmesan | Prosecco | Prosecco Spago Nero 2018 - Savouring a bottle of this Italian sparkling wine from the Riondo winery is like spending an afternoon at a farmer’s market. It has crisp and fresh notes of raisins, green apples, melon, honey, pears and a vanilla fragrance that offsets the saltiness of Parmeson to perfection. |
| Ricotta | Riesling | Dr. L Riesling 2017 - This white from Dr. Loosen winery in Mosel, Germany ticks all the boxes that the perfect Riesling should tick - it’s sweet yet light, fruity yet acidic, and aromatic yet crisp. It has a superbly smooth mouth feel and a lingering finish that’s ideally suited for a bland cheese like Ricotta. |
Remember that you don’t have to stick to these pairings if you don’t want to. However, if you’re new to the cheese & wine game they’re a good place to start and will help ensure that your first pairing efforts don’t miss by a nautical mile.
