Wensleydale with Cranberries (UK)
Wensleydale with Cranberries is a creamy cheese from North Yorkshire.
Wensleydale with Cranberries
Wensleydale with Cranberries is a a hand-made Yorkshire cheese sold fresh and young at only three weeks old. The texture is creamy and the taste is mild, slightly sweet and tart due to the cranberries and some honey tones.
It is a best-seller during Thanksgiving and Christmas and the wintertime in general.
Wine Pairing Wensleydale
Wensleydale with Cranberries is a creamy, slightly tangy cheese with sweet bursts of cranberry flavor.
When pairing wines with this cheese, you want to consider complementing its creamy texture and tangy-sweet notes while also balancing any acidity from the cranberries.
Here are some wine options that could pair well:
A slightly sweet Riesling can complement the fruity sweetness of the cranberries while its acidity helps balance the creaminess of the cheese.
An aromatic Gewürztraminer with some sweetness can enhance the fruity flavors in the cheese without overwhelming it.
A dry or slightly off-dry Rosé with refreshing acidity can be a versatile option, providing a balance between the creamy cheese and the cranberries.
A brut sparkling wine or Champagne can provide a crisp acidity and bubbles tot clean the palate between bites of the creamy cheese, enhancing the overall experience.
If you prefer red wine, opt for lighter-bodied options like Pinot Noir or Gamay. These wines have enough acidity to complement the cranberries without overpowering the delicate flavors of the cheese.
Below is a list of excellent pairing options for Wensleydale.
White Wines
Chardonnay
A lightly oaked Chardonnay can complement the buttery richness of Wensleydale while adding depth and complexity to the pairing. Look for a Chardonnay with flavors of ripe apple or pear for the best match.
Sauvignon Blanc
The crisp acidity and bright citrus flavors of Sauvignon Blanc can provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy texture of Wensleydale. Look for a Sauvignon Blanc with herbaceous notes to enhance the pairing.
Gewürztraminer
An aromatic white wine like Gewürztraminer from Alsace can pair nicely with Wensleydale. Its floral and spicy notes can complement the cheese's creaminess.
Riesling Spätlese
This off-dry Riesling can provide a touch of sweetness to complement the mild nuttiness of Wensleydale. The wine's vibrant acidity and floral aromas enhance the cheese's flavors while adding a refreshing contrast.
Rosé Wines
A dry or slightly off-dry rosé can provide a versatile pairing option for Wensleydale. The crisp acidity and red fruit flavors of rosé wine can balance the cheese's creaminess while adding a refreshing touch to the pairing.
Pinot Noir Rosé
A light Pinot Noir Rosé with red fruit flavors and a bright acidity can complement Wensleydale without overwhelming it.
Zinfandel Rosé
White Zinfandel balances dryness with a moderate sweetness. This makes it a great wine for pairing with basically any of your favourite soft cheeses.
Sparkling Wines
Blanc de Blanc
A dry Champagne or a dry Cremant with its toasty notes and lively bubbles will enhance the flavors of Wensleydale and elevate the tasting experience.
Prosecco
The bubbles and acidity of Prosecco cleanses the palate between the bites of cheese, making it a delightful pairing option for Wensleydale.
Red Wines
Beaujolais
Beaujolais is a light-bodied red wine with fruity flavors of red berries and a soft, approachable character. Its low tannins and vibrant fruitiness can complement the mildness of Wensleydale without overwhelming its subtle flavors.
Pinot Noir
A light Pinot Noir with red fruit flavors, silky tannins, and a bright acidity can be an excellent match for Wensleydale. The wine's fruity and earthy notes can complement the cheese's delicate flavor without overpowering it.
Merlot
A soft and fruity red wine like Merlot can be a surprisingly good match for Wensleydale. Merlot's ripe plum and cherry flavors, along with its smooth tannins, can complement the cheese's creamy texture and enhance its flavors.
Barbera
This Italian red wine, known for its bright acidity, fruity flavors, and soft tannins, pairs wonderfully with Wensleydale. Its acidity helps cut through the cheese's creaminess, while its fruity notes complement the cheese flavors.
Frappato
A light and fruity red wine like Frappato, native to Sicily, can pair nicely with Wensleydale. Frappato wines offer red berry flavors, gentle tannins, and refreshing acidity that complement the cheese's mildness without overpowering it.
Dessert Wines
Pairing dessert wines with semi-soft cheeses can be a delightful culinary experience, as the right wine can complement the creamy texture and mild to pungent flavors of the cheese. Here are some top recommendations for dessert wine pairings with semi-soft cheeses:
Sauternes
This sweet French wine from Bordeaux is excellent with Wensleydale, especially those that are a bit tangy or have a bloomy rind. The lush, sweet characteristics of Sauternes can balance the creaminess of the cheese.
Riesling Spätlese (Late Harvest)
A late harvest Riesling, known for its balanced acidity and sweetness, pairs beautifully with semi-soft cheeses that have a hint of sweetness or nuttiness.
Vin Santo
This Italian dessert wine has a nutty and caramel-like sweetness which pairs nicely with the slightly earthy flavors of semi-soft cheeses.
Muscat
A sweet Muscat offers floral aromatics and a lighter sweetness that can lift the flavors of a creamy semi-soft cheese without overwhelming it.
Fortified Wines
Pairing fortified wines with semi-soft cheeses can create delightful contrasts and harmonies in flavor and texture.
Port
A Tawny or Ruby Port has a rich sweetness with flavors of dried fruits and nuts, making it a great match for semi-soft cheeses. The intense flavors of the port complement the mild funkiness and buttery notes of the cheese.
Tawny Port
The oxidative aging process of Tawny Port imparts rich flavors of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits, which can complement the creamy, often buttery notes of semi-soft cheeses. Its sweetness can also balance any slight saltiness in the cheese.
Ruby Port
The fruity and vibrant profile of Ruby Port, with its hints of berry and chocolate, pairs well with the smooth textures and milder flavors of semi-soft cheeses, especially those with a subtle sweetness.
Amontillado Sherry
With its nuanced balance of nuttiness and dryness, Amontillado Sherry works beautifully with semi-soft cheeses. Its complex flavors can enhance the mild and creamy characteristics of the cheese without overwhelming them.
Madeira
Depending on the style, Madeira can range from dry to sweet. A medium-dry Madeira, like Verdelho, combines well with semi-soft cheeses by offering a balance of sweetness and acidity that can cut through the creamines.
About Yorkshire Wensleydale
The Yorkshire Wensleydale’s history goes back to the early Middle Ages (1150) when French Cistercian monks started producing their own cheese as they settled in Wensleydale.
Back then the monks used sheep’s milk.
It is said that they were trying to recreate Roquefort but ended up with a drier, crumbly cheese.
In the 14th century, cow’s milk was used and the taste of the cheese began to change.
In 1536, Henry VIII of England orders the dissolution of monasteries and the Refornation of the Church.
To save the tradition the French Cistercian monks passed on the cheese-making techniques to the farmer's wives, who produced a blue version.
During World War II, and for nearly a decade after, most milk in the country was used to make "Government Cheddar", as part of the war economy and rationing politics.
Today the cheese is produced with pasteurised cow's milk with some sheep's milk to add flavor.
Personal Preferences
As always, personal preferences play a significant role in wine and cheese pairings, so don't hesitate to experiment to find the combination that suits your taste buds best.
Additionally, consider adding some accompaniments like fruit, nuts, or bread to enhance the pairing experience:
- Crusty Bread and Crackers
- Nuts, Peanuts and Fries
- Grapes and Berries
- Olives and Garlic
- Figs and Rasins
- Slised Apple and Pear
- Dark Chocolate
- Rosemary and Thyme
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Enjoy your wine and cheese tasting with fruits nuts and bread!
Grows Together Goes Together
If it grows together it goes together.
Pairing locally is a great way to learn more about wine and cheese:
France
- Goat cheese from Loire is great with Sauvignon Blanc from Loire.
- Munster from Alsace is great with Gewürztraminer from Alsace.
Italy
- Strong Italian Gorgonzola pairs perfectly with Italian Barolo.
- Pecorino pairs well with Chanti.
- Pino Grigio goes well with Mozzarella.
Spain
- Spanish Manchego is gorgeous both with Cava and Spanish Rioja.
Clara Peeters - Still Life with Cheeses, Almonds and Pretzels- 1615