Cheese & Wine Pairing

Soft Cheese

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Wine Pairing Soft Cheese

Pairing wine with soft cheeses requires finding a balance between the creamy texture and often delicate flavors of the cheese.

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White Wines

Choose a light-bodied white wine with crisp acidity.

These wines will not overpower the delicate flavors of a soft cheese, but provide a refreshing contrast:

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Dry Riesling (Germany)
• Chenin Blanc Dry (France)
• Pinot Grigio (Italy)
• Chablis (France)
• Albariño (Spain)

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Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines such as Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava can be excellent choices for soft cheeses. The bubbles cleanse the palate between bites, while the acidity complements the creaminess of the cheese.

Go for something light and dry:

• Blanc de Blanc
• Prosecco (Italy)
• Cava (Spain)
• Espumante (Portugal)
• Sekt (Germany)

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Red wines

If you prefer red wine, go for light-bodied and low-tannin options that will not overwhelm the cheese.

These wines offer fruity flavors and a soft texture that complements the creaminess of the cheese:

• Pinot Noir (France)
• Beaujolais (France)
• Cabernet Franc (France)
• Barbera (Italy)
• Valpolicella (Italy)

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Rosé Wines

Dry rosé wines with vibrant acidity and fruity notes can be delightful with soft cheeses.

Seek out rosés with fruity or floral characteristics:

• Pinot Noir Rosé
• Grenache Rosé
• Zinfandel Rosé

Zinfandel rosé is a special choice. It offers a balance that combines dryness and moderate sweetness. This balance makes it a great rosé for pairing with basically any cheese.

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Dessert Wines

Some soft cheeses also pair well with sweet wines, especially those with a bit of acidity.

The sweetness of these wines can enhance the flavors of the cheese without overwhelming it:

• Moscato d'Asti (Italy)
• Off-Dry Riesling (Germany)
• Gewürztraminer (France)
• White Port (Portugal)
• Fino Sherry (Spain)

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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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.