Useful guide for your cheese and [white]wine pairings

Many red wines often overpower the cheese’s delicacy, while the famous tannins can react badly with the salt and milk protein of the cheese.

White wines on the other hand, thanks to their fruitiness and acidity that adds freshness, offset the strong personality and flavour of the cheese.

5 types of cheese, endless possibilities:

1. Fresh cheese

For this type of cheeses, with a pretty neutral taste, the fresh, young and unsophisticated wines are the ideal companions. Varieties? Parellada, Chardonnay, Riesling, Verdejo... In short, up to you!

2. Goat Cheese

The “crotin" style goat cheese goes great with some tart white that counteracts the natural acidity of the goat milk. Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc are two varieties that are very suitable for this type of cheese.

3. Soft cheese

Cheeses like Brie or Camembert have a bloomy rind that brings forth very unique aromas that give a nice contrast to the creaminess of the cheese. Our suggestions? A slightly aged Chardonnay or - why not - a dry Muscat with just the right amount of residual sugar and a nice fruity aftertaste to compensate for the bitterness of the cheese’s rind.

4. Hard cheeses (cured)

Time for the red wines. Aged and cured cheeses made of cow’s or sheep’s milk are the ones that stand up to the reds. However, beware of too hard tannins.

Perhaps Mediterranean Garnachas or Tempranillo Crianzas are the best mates for these wines. But if you follow the white line please try a Comté and an aged Chardonnay that will offset this rustic cheese with its buttery aftertaste.

5. Blue cheese

Blue cheeses are usually matched with sweet, semi-sweet or generous wines and reds can also enter the game here. Lots of choices here: red Grenaches or white Muscats, Rieslings and Parelladas or a classic Oporto will delight Roquefort, Stilton and Cabrales lovers.

Of course nothing is set in stone! There’s a wide range of cheeses and wines at your disposal. So enjoy discovering and playing and experience to find your perfect match. And then... Share it!