The Ultimate Wine & Cheese Pairing Guide
Wine and cheese are soulmates, but not every couple gets along. The wrong pairing can make the wine taste metallic or the cheese taste chalky.
Fresh & Soft Cheeses
Examples: Mozzarella, Burrata, Chèvre (Goat Cheese), Feta, Ricotta
These cheeses are creamy, tangy, and often salty. They haven't been aged, so they retain the fresh flavor of the milk.
The Pairing: Crisp White Wines
Acid loves acid. The tanginess of goat cheese pairs perfectly with the high acidity of Sauvignon Blanc (a classic Loire Valley pairing). Rosé and Pinot Grigio also work beautifully.
Hard & Aged Cheeses
Examples: Aged Cheddar, Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano), Manchego, Pecorino
Aging concentrates the flavors and reduces moisture, leading to nutty, savory, and intense profiles.
The Pairing: Bold Reds
Here is where your Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chianti shine. The fat in the cheese counteracts the tannins in the wine, while the bold flavors match each other intensity-for-intensity.
Blue Cheeses
Examples: Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton
Blue cheeses are pungent and salty. Pairing them with a dry red wine often results in a clash.
The Pairing: Sweet Wines
Sweet + Salty = Magic. The classic pairing is Port with Stilton or Sauternes with Roquefort. The sweetness of the wine balances the intense saltiness of the cheese.
Stinky (Washed Rind) Cheeses
Examples: Taleggio, Époisses, Reblochon
These cheeses have orange rinds and funky aromas. They are tricky to pair.
The Pairing: Aromatic Whites
Try an aromatic white like Gewürztraminer or Riesling. Alternatively, a funky Pinot Noir from Burgundy can work well with French washed-rind cheeses (regional pairing).
The Classic Mistake
Many people serve a cheese platter with 5 different cheeses and one bottle of big red wine. As we've seen, that red wine will likely clash with the goat cheese, the brie, and the blue cheese.
Pro Tip: If serving a mixed board, a white wine with some body (like Chardonnay) or a lighter red (like Pinot Noir) are the safest "all-rounder" bets.
Host a Wine & Cheese Night
Gather some friends, buy 3 cheeses, and rate the pairings using the Vine Savant app.