By Aaron Gratch, Winemaker and Andreas Tasting Room Manager at Cellar Beast Winehouse. With a rich Italian winemaking heritage and advanced training as a Level III Sommelier from the Wine School of Philadelphia, Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge to his craft.
Building on the foundation of the Beginner’s Wine and Cheese Guide, this more sophisticated guide takes you a step further into the art and science of matching wine with cheese. If you know the subtle way the flavors, textures, and aromas interlock, you can make pairings that complement the qualities of wine and different types of cheese. We’ll explore subtle wine pairing principles and use some of Cellar Beast Winehouse’s top dry wines to help motivate your next winery tour.
1. Regional Harmony: Celebrating Terroir
Due to the terroir, wines and cheeses from the same region often complement each other, meaning local matches inspire each other. This idea is not only based on the landscape but also on centuries of tradition.
- Cabernet Franc Reserve with Tomme de Savoie
The rustic, earthy notes of Tomme de Savoie echo the forest-floor flavors of Cabernet Franc Reserve. This pairing pays tribute to the Loire Valley's distinct profile, highlighting the balanced interplay of savory and herbal elements. - Blanc de Noir with Gruyère
Using the Méthode Champenoise, Blanc de Noir’s smooth bubbles and nuanced notes pair well with Gruyère, a Swiss Alpine cheese. The combination enhances the wine’s yeasty complexity while accentuating the semi-hard cheese’s savory richness. - Crottin de Chavignol with Pinot Gris
Cellar Beast’s Pinot Gris, with its refreshing acidity and subtle pear and citrus notes, pairs beautifully with Crottin de Chavignol, a tangy goat cheese from the Loire Valley. The wine’s mineral backbone mirrors the cheese’s earthy, nutty undertones, while its bright profile cuts through the cheese’s creamy texture. This pairing demonstrates how a crisp, aromatic white wine can enhance and elevate regional cheese traditions.
2. Mastering Texture and Acidity
Sourcing a wine and cheese pair relies on texture and the wine's acidity. Acid sloughs away cheese’s velvetiness and neutralizes its fat content. Combining these elements can elevate both elements and highlight their most compelling features into a perfect match.
- Chardonnay Reserve with Brie
The creamy depth and sharp acidity of the Chardonnay Reserve balance Brie’s flinty velvetiness. The wine's mild oakiness and buttery flavor play against the earthy flavors in the cheese, creating a delicate and balanced accompaniment. - Grand Mélange with Camembert
Grand Mélange’s robust fruit flavor and smooth tannins are a good alternative to Camembert if you want something more daring. Its tannins soften the palate, and the delicate cheese’s savory flavor intensifies the wine. - Sauvignon Blanc with Chèvre Rolled in Herbs
The zingy lime-grapefruit character of Cellar Beast’s Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with a fresh cheese like chèvre wrapped in thyme or dill. The sparkling acidity of the white wine penetrates the creaminess of the chèvre, and its medicinal qualities echo the soft cheese’s seasoning. It plays up the minerality of the wine and acts as a light and smooth foil to the cheese's acidity. Alternatively, a Chenin Blanc or Pinot Grigio would bring their unique characters to pairing this cheese with wine.
3. Exploring the Sweet and Salty Dynamic
The sweetness of wine and the saltiness of cheese can create intriguing symmetry, reinforcing both. This intense contrast of flavor profiles is a classic match for these cheese combinations.
- Cellar Beast's 2022 Gewürztraminer with Gorgonzola
Cellar Beast’s 2022 Gewürztraminer's fresh-spiced aroma perfectly complements the bold, salty cheese, Gorgonzola. The wine's lychee and rose petal aromas soften the creamy cheese's texture, and the acidity cancels out the Italian cheese's sweetness, making for a delicious, rich match. - Blue Cheese and Old Vine Zinfandel
Try Cellar Beast’s Old Vine Zinfandel with a hot cheese like Gorgonzola Dolce for a slightly spicier pairing. The wine's fruity blackberry and spice aromas counteract the herbal notes and spiciness of the blue cheese, while its supple tannins add structure against the creamy nature of the pungent cheese. The combination highlights the cohesiveness of bold flavors and complexities.
4. Tannin and Protein Interplay
The tannins in red wine react with proteins in cheese, moisturizing both and creating a new dimension of taste. This idea makes robust reds the perfect companion for aged cheeses.
- Old Vine Zinfandel with Aged Cheddar
Zinfandel’s intense, spicy character and fruity flavor matches aged cheddar's crumbly, nutty finish. This traditional combination demonstrates the tannins’ ability to meld with the stronger cheese's protein, providing an integrated mouthfeel. - Cabernet Franc Rosé with Manchego
You can try a lighter option with the berry sweetness and citrus acidity of Cabernet Franc Rosé paired with the semi-hard cheese Manchego’s firm, buttery texture and nuttiness. This pairing works well with warm evenings because the rosé's freshness offsets the lighter cheese's richness. - Pinot Noir with Gruyère or Comté
The medium body and bright red fruit notes of Pinot Noir make it a natural companion to a semi-hard cheese like Gruyère or Comté. The Pinot Noir's subtle tannins enhance these cheeses' nutty, savory flavors, while its vibrant acidity balances the cheese’s richness. This pairing creates a refined and well-rounded tasting experience, perfect for a relaxed evening or sophisticated gathering.
5. Pushing Boundaries: Unconventional Pairings
If you’re brave enough, you can even try unusual combinations. Step beyond classic wine and cheese pairings and experiment with significant contrasts and unexpected harmony.
- Pét-Nat with Washed-Rind Cheeses
The rough, wild texture of washed-rind harder cheeses such as Taleggio is oddly suited to a natural sparkling wine (Pét-Nat). This combination of effervescence and acidity in the wine contrasts with the tartness of the bloomy cheese, making for an exciting combination. - Orange Wine with Aged Goat Cheese
Tannic and distinctive orange wine pairs well with aged goat cheese. Its rich citrus and nutty flavors complement its tangy, earthy quality.
Tips for an Elevated Tasting Experience
- Serve at Optimal Temperatures: To bring out the full flavors, keep wines and cheeses at their best—reds slightly chilled, whites and rosés chilled but not icy, and cheeses at room temperature.
- Sequence Matters: Drink light wines and cheeses first, then move on to fuller and fuller ones so you don’t run out of energy.
- Bridge Ingredients: To heighten the experience, serve accompaniments such as honey, nuts, or fruit with flavor compounds common to wine and cheese.
You can fine-tune your wine-and-cheese board-building skills by incorporating these rules and tasting wines such as Cellar Beast Winehouse’s. With this new level of functionality, you can build unique and classic pairing experiences for a wide range of your favorite cheeses and wines.
Additional Resources for Wine and Cheese Pairing
- Wine Folly: Wine and Cheese Pairings – Expert wine education with pairing strategies and easy-to-digest tips.
- Cheese.com: The Cheese Encyclopedia – Comprehensive database of cheese varieties and characteristics to explore.
- Wine Spectator: Cheese and Wine Pairing Tips – Detailed guidance from a trusted authority on wine.
- Culture Magazine: Cheese Pairing Guides – Insights and inspiration for pairing cheese with wine and other beverages.
- France.fr: French Wine and Cheese Pairings – Authentic pairing advice for lovers of French wine and cheese.
