Only 17% of wine enthusiasts are following proper etiquette. Some sniff, swirl, and sip, and others put an ice cube in their glass. Many will hold their glass by the bowl rather than the stem.
Another wine faux pas is not understanding how to navigate wine and cheese pairings. When you find the right pairing, the night will elevate in mood and enjoyment. With so many wines and cheeses from all over the world, it can be difficult to know how to start.
Don’t worry, as we’ve got you covered. To start a new culinary journey, you’ll want to read our guide below.
Bold Red With Aged
An aged cheese will have more fat content due to its lack of water content. Due to this, when thinking of wine and cheese pairings aim for a bold red. Doing so will counteract the high tannins in the red wine.
You want your charcuterie board with cheeses at least a year old. Go for Gruyere, Gouda, Provolone, Manchego, Cheddar, and Parmesan.
We recommend gifting an alcohol advent calendar around the holidays.
Sweeter With Funky
When deciding on the perfect wine and cheese pairings, you can’t go wrong when combining sweet with funky. Dessert wines like Moscato, Late Harvest, and Gewurztraminer and Ports all pair beautifully with stinky blue-veined cheeses.
The sweetness will balance out the funk and allow for the cheese to taste creamier. Two combinations to try are Sauternes with Roquefort and a Port with Stilton.
Sparkling With Soft and Creamy
Since sparkling wines are high in carbonation and acidity, we say go with a Brie, Muenster, or Cremont. Creamy cheeses such as these are a great palate cleanser for your wine and cheese pairings.
Equal Intensity
When creating your own pairings, go with wines and cheeses of equal intensity. If a wine is 14.5% ABV or over, it will be more intense in flavor. A wine under 12% ABV goes better with more delicately flavored cheese like a Gruyere.
Same Location
When you’re unsure of what classic wine and cheese pairings to go with, we recommend starting with the same region. For example, you do a Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese or a Garnacha with a Manchego.
Try These Wine and Cheese Pairings at Your Next Party
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned, knowing your wine and cheese pairings will bode well for you. While you don’t need to be an expert, you should know your way around a charcuterie board.
At your next cocktail party, get to know your guests on a deeper level. Have something new to bring to the table and show off to your friends. If anyone has any questions, you’ll be able to steer them in the right direction.
To enhance your lifestyle, even more, we recommend sticking around. Our blog has everything you need to keep the party alive. Before you know it you’ll be pairing wines and cheeses on your own!
