If you find yourself in a pinch, a wine and cheese plate is the quickest and most satisfying way to nourish your guests. Pairing cheese with fruit and honey gives the plate that special extra something. Knowing what wine pairings work best with what cheeses is also a sure fire way to impress your guests! You don’t need to go overboard when constructing your plate. Pick three to four cheeses (we opted for Brie, Sharp White Cheddar, Mozzarella and Gouda) and then complement the cheese with a couple different cracker choices. You can mix and match fruit, each will bring out a new flavor in the wine. Grapes, berries and apples are always a safe choice, but feel free to get creative. It is your cheese plate and you can do what you want with it!
A guide to the perfect wine and cheese pairing.
If you want to present one white wine and one red wine, there are two classic combinations we always recommend. The first is sharp white cheddar with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay with Brie, and the second is Merlot with Gouda and Sauvignon Blanc with Mozzarella. The herbs and darker fruity notes of the Cabernet bring out the robust flavors found in the sharp white cheddar. Brie and Chardonnay pair together like peanut butter and jelly. Creamy cheeses pair best with acidic wines and a nice oaky chardonnay compliments the rich flavors of the brie.
Gouda is a versatile cheese which makes it perfect for pairing with red wine. It’s also a milder cheese, which marries well with Merlot. This is an excellent pairing for beginners. You can pair Sauvignon Blanc with almost anything, and fresh mozzarella is an easy and appealing companion to the refreshing flavors of the wine.
Which pair will you dazzle guests with at your next party?