Wine and cheese: some great pairings to get you started

Both cheese and wine carry exciting complexity as it comes to flavor and mouthfeel. It’s no wonder they carry such a rich history in tandem. In the right combination, each accentuates the other, bringing forth fuller, richer flavors and creating amazing sensory experiences.  There’s no time like the present to get acquainted with wine and cheese in pairings. Here are some suggestions to get started:

1. Asiago cheese presents pungent and nutty flavors that pair wonderfully with red wines. Try asiago with a Cabernet Sauvignon, a dry red wine featuring notes of dark fruit, tobacco and leather. When pairing with white wine, a Chardonnay is a good choice that meets asiago’s flavor with a fuller body than many of its counterparts.
2. Gouda cheese is known for its buttery, nutty and full-bodied flavor that grows in intensity as it ages. Gouda pairs well with Cabernet Sauvignon, as the wine’s high tannin content stands up well to the cheese’s intense flavor. For a white wine, try an off-dry Riesling that provides a contrast to the saltiness of the cheese, while accentuating its caramel-like sweetness.
3. Cheddar cheese carries a rich creamy, nutty profile that grows sharper with age. Pair a sharp cheddar with Pinot Noir, a dry and light to medium-bodied red that has its own sharpness along with ripe, red fruit flavors. For a white wine, cheddar pairs well with Pinot Grigio, a light, crisp and citrusy wine with a gentle bouquet.
4. Muenster carries a mild flavor and smooth, soft texture. It’s a great pairing for Gewürztraminer, a sweet and aromatic white wine with notes of spice and tropical fruit. Muenster also pairs well with unoaked, low-tannin red wines including Pinot Noir and Beaujolais.