Being born and raised in Wisconsin, cheese has always been an important part of daily snacks and meals. As an adult I began to enjoy wine, figuring out over time which types of wine I preferred. Enjoying a bit of cheese with my favorite wine seemed natural, but often the cheese would clash with the wine causing neither to taste very good. If you are like me and enjoy both wine and cheese, but may not know how to pair wine with cheese, here is a guide to several of my favorite wine and cheese pairings.
Wine and Cheese Pairing for Longhorn Colby: Longhorn Colby cheese, which originated in Wisconsin in the late 1800’s, is most likely my favorite cheese. Colby cheese is similar to Cheddar, but has a milder flavor, softer texture and is more moist than Cheddar. Longhorn Colby and Colby are the same cheeses. The term ‘longhorn’ refers to the long cylindrical mold used for the cheese. Longhorn Colby will have a half-moon shape whereas Colby will be a square or rectangle.
A nice Pinot Grigio will pair very well with Colby. My favorite Pinot Grigio wine is Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio which I have truly enjoyed along with Colby. If you enjoy sparkling wines, Barefoot Pinot Grigio Champagne pairs just as well with Colby as the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio.
Even though Longhorn Colby and Colby are the same cheeses, just cured in different styles of molds, I still seem to think Longhorn Colby has a better taste. When shopping for the cheese, I always select the Longhorn Colby if available. Colby cheese is best when fresh and should not be aged as it dries out quickly. A simple plate of Longhorn Colby sliced along with a glass of the Pinot Grigio works well. Adding buttery-flavored crackers (Ritz, Club) or sliced sweet-tart apples such as Granny Smith also are enjoyable if you would like a bit more than simply the wine and cheese together.
Wine and Cheese Pairing for Brie: Brie is a soft cheese, originating from France. It can be served at room temperature or warmed, as in baked Brie in puff pastry. Brie is available at many grocery stores. Though, if not in your area, you most likely will find it at a store specializing in cheese. Room temperature Brie can be spread on thin slices of a crusty French bread, crackers, or apple slices. If you decide to serve baked Brie, crackers or crusty French bread will work well to scoop the delicious melted cheese with.
My favorite wine to go with Brie is V. Sattui Gamay Rouge. V. Sattui Gamay Rouge should be served slightly chilled, similar to a white wine. Serving this wine with the Brie will take a little planning as V. Sattui wines are available only from the winery, while on-site or ordered from their website. Another nice choice to server with Brie is a light and fruity champagne, like the Barefoot Pinot Grigio Champagne suggested above. Barefoot wines are available throughout the US.
In addition to crusty bread or crackers for the Brie, strawberries and grapes are also a good addition and will go with both the Gamay Rouge and Pinot Grigio Champagne.
Wine and Cheese Pairing for Sharp Cheddar: Cheddar cheese is widely available and can be classified as mild, medium, sharp, or extra sharp depending on the flavor intensity. Cheddar cheeses can vary greatly depending on the producer. Trying several different Sharp Cheddar cheeses from different dairies will allow you to choose the cheese which best suites your tastes.
Spicy Shiraz wines pair well with Sharp Cheddar, such as Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz or Elderton Shiraz. Both of these are from Australia and are available at retail locations nationwide. To serve, the Sharp Cheddar cheese can be sliced or cubed. Crusty bread or crackers go well with Sharp Cheddar and well as hard salami, either sliced or cubed also.
Wine and Cheese Pairing for Italian Cheeses: Italian cheese such as Mozzarella, Provolone, Fontina, and Parmesan Reggiano pair very well with a classic Italian wine, Chianti. One of my favorite appetizers is a fresh mozzarella, tomato, and onion salad. This is simple to prepare by slicing fresh mozzarella, a large ripe tomato and a large red or sweet onion into 1/4-inch slices. Starting with the onion, stack an onion slice, tomato slice, then mozzarella slice on a salad plate. Repeat with a second slice of each. Drizzle Italian dressing or simply Olive Oil over the top and sprinkle with a little julienned fresh basil, if available. Fresh mozzarella is not the same as the mozzarella typically used for pizza. Look for it in the specialty cheese section of your local grocer.
Da Vinci Chianti Classico pairs well with the Italian cheeses listed as well as with the Mozzarella, Tomato, and Onion salad. Da Vinci Chianti Classico is available nationwide and is from E & J Gallo.
Wine and Cheese Pairing for Muenster Cheese: It is only a year or two ago that I tasted Muenster Cheese for the first time. Muenster Cheese is a mild, light-yellow, semi-soft cheese. Muenster Cheese made in the US is much milder than the original varieties from France and Germany. It is US Muenster that I am familiar with. Muenster Cheese has a rind which is slightly darker in color than the cheese itself. The rind can be eaten and does not need to be removed first.
Muenster Cheese can be served sliced or cubed, similar to Cheddar Cheese. With its mild flavor I really enjoy it with sliced red and green bell peppers. Serving a plate of Muenster Cheese cubed along side the sliced bell pepper is very refreshing with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, such as Petroni Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc.
