Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to indulge in life’s simple pleasures. But, pairing wine and cheese like the pros can be anything but simple. Whether you’re enjoying wine and cheese pairings today or any other day, being educated before heading to the grocery store can help your taste buds tremendously. Here are some quick tips on perfect pairings:
* Follow your taste preferences: If you don’t like a certain cheese or a certain wine, pairing it with something won’t change your opinion on the flavor.
* Try to match flavor profiles evenly: Avoid pairing mild cheeses with strong wines.
* The bolder the cheese, the bolder the wine should be: Cheese that has been aged for a long time needs to be paired with a full-bodied wine.
Fresh/Soft & Bloomy Cheeses: Burrata, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Feta, Brie, Boursin
Pairs well with…Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Moscato, Champagne
Semi-Soft Cheeses: Havarti, Gruyère, Manchego
Pairs well with…Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Semi-Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Gouda, Baby Swiss
Pairs well with…Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Côtes du Rhône, Shiraz/Syrah, Merlot
Hard Cheeses: Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, Aged Manchego
Pairs well with…Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Chianti
Goat Cheeses: Chèvre, Pavé, Rave de Provence
Pairs well with…Pino Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, Champagne
Blue Cheese: Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton
Pairs well with…Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Port
For more tips on the perfect wine and cheese pairings, visit HEB.com.