Fancy some Italian wine along with some cheese? Not sure what to try?
Well, I’ll start with one word: experiment.
Why?
Because everyone’s taste buds are different to some degree. Cheese and wine combinations that work for you might not work for the next person. You might feel that Barolo wine tastes ghastly with Stilton cheese and want to spit it out immediately. The next person might think it tastes gorgeous and immediately go for seconds. Both experiences are just as valid. The key is to experiment and find out which combinations work for YOU.
Cheese & wine pairings is about the combined taste of sweetness and saltiness on the palate. It is said that white wine generally tends to go better with cheese than red wine as the tannins in red wine make the taste of cheese too intense. However, this isn’t always the case and there are some red wines that go perfectly with some cheeses. As mentioned before, try it out for yourself and make your own decision.
Here are some combinations you can try out – find out how it tastes for you:
Try some fresh mozzarella cheese with a light red wine such as Valpolicella or a chilled glass of white wine like Chardonnay.
You can also try Chardonnay with a chunk of mild cheddar cheese or Parmesan or some creamy Gruyere cheese. Cheddar and Parmesan can also go well with Chianti or Montepulciano wine, so try that too and see if you like the combination.
And while you’re trying the Gruyere cheese with the Chardonnay, also try it with a glass of white Pinot Grigio (try Pinot with Camembert cheese too).
Maybe you’ll adore the taste of Brie cheese coupled with red Barbera wine and never look back!
Experiment. Enjoy. Savour.
(img by: cwbuecheler)