Did you know that there’s an art to pairing wine with cheese? While whatever you pair together will probably taste okay, some wines pair better with some cheeses. These are the top mistakes people make when matching wine with cheese and how to avoid making them.
Pairing Red Wine with Soft Cheese
Red wine usually has more tannins and low acidity which can cause soft cheese to taste chalky. When serving red wine, look for a full-bodied, flavorful cheese like aged cheddar.
Mismatching Intensity and Flavor
White wines pair best with milder, lighter cheese, which allows the fruity notes of the wine to bring out the creaminess of the cheese. As a rule of thumb, most cheese pair well with white wine.
Forgetting the Palette Cleanser
When you’re tasting cheeses with wine, you should always have a palette cleanser like crackers or bread to absorb lingering flavors. Try and avoid anything that’s rich in flavor or really salty.
Staying in Your Comfort Zone
The fun in pairing wine and cheese is finding exciting, new flavor combinations. Instead of sticking with the cheeses you know and love, try something new. Also, sparkling wines are a great choice when trying new cheeses as the bubbles are forgiving.
