Thursday, August 11, 2016

Wine and Cheese Pairing Chart

This is not, by any means, a comprehensive listing of all the wine and cheese pairings there are in the world. However, the below chart is a great starting point for wine and cheese enthusiasts. Most of the information comes from this chart on Gourmet Sleuth, in addition to the type of cheese it is (cow, goat, sheep, etc).

Why does wine and cheese taste so amazing together? It's said that the fat content of cheese is a perfect match to the acidity of wine, and smooths over any "faults" that may be in your glass of vino. I refer you to this article by LiveScience - it's a great primer on why certain foods just seem to go together.

Cheese and Charcuterie Board at Bin 228 Gastropub

The other night I had an amazing cheese and charcuterie board at Bin 228 with my boyfriend. The cheeses were: gouda and manchego, with coppa and prosciutto, cornichons and grilled bread. I paired it with a 2015 Riesling by Chateau Montelena (yes, that Chateau Montelena). It was perfection. The wine was dry, slightly acidic, but still fruity with hints of lemon. It also paired perfectly with the decadent truffled fonduta we ordered after (not pictured). Next time I'll have to try a Spanish red with the Manchego.... you know what they say, "What grows together, goes together."

Happy eating!


Cheese Country Type Type Wines
Asiago Italy Hard CowRiesling, Rioja, Sauvignon Blanc, Prosecco
Beaufort France Hard Cow Red Bordeaux
Blue Cheese All Blue Cow Madeira, Sherry, Riesling
Brie France Soft Cow Champagne, Merlot, Sherry
Camembert France Soft Cow Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, 
Cheddar All Semi-Hard Cow Chardonnay, Rioja, Sauvignon Blanc
Chevre France Semi-Soft Goat Champage, Gewurztraminer
Colby USA Semi-Soft Cow Champagne, Malbec, Riesling
Comte France Semi-Hard Cow Cabernet Sauv, French Reds
Derby Britain Hard Cow Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Edam Netherlands Hard Cow Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling
Emmenthal Switzerland Hard Cow Beaujolais
Feta Greece Semi-soft Sheep Beaujolais
Fontina Italy Semi-soft Cow Pinot Grigio
Goat Cheese France Soft Goat Sancerre, Vouvray, Sauvignon Blanc
Gouda Netherlands Semi-Hard Cow Champagne, Malbec, Riesling, Merlot
Gruyere Switzerland Hard Cow Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
Halloumi Cyprus Semi-Hard Sheep Rose, New World Whites
Harvati Denmark Semi-soft Cow Red Bordeaux, Rioja
Jarlsberg Norway Hard Cow Chardonnay, Zinfandel
Kasseri Greece Semi-Soft Sheep Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel
Limburger Germany Soft Cow Beer
Manchego Spain Hard Sheep Merlot, Rioja, Garnacha
Monterey Jack USA Semi-Hard Cow Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Zinfandel
Muenster France Soft Cow Beaujolais
Neufchatel France Soft Cow Loire Valley Wines (i.e. Sancerre)
Parmagiano Italy Hard Cow Chardonnay, Chianti
Pecorino Italy Hard Sheep Chianti
Piave Italy Hard Cow Zinfandel, Italian Reds
Raclette Switzerland Semi-Hard Cow Beaujolais
Red Leicester Britain Semi-Hard Cow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Roquefort France Blue Sheep Port
Smoked Gouda Netherlands Semi-Hard Cow Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
Stilton Britain Semi-Hard Cow Port, Sauternes
Swiss Switzerland Semi-Hard Cow Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Taleggio Italy Semi-Soft Cow Pinot Blanc