Cheese

Cheese, Please - Your Guide to Perfect Pairings:

From fresh and tangy to aged and nutty, cheese offers a wide spectrum of textures and flavours. The right wine lifts creaminess, balances saltiness, and complements complex aromatics, while a carefully chosen spirit adds brightness or depth. 🧀✨

Fresh & Soft Cheeses (Mozzarella, Burrata, Chèvre):

Light, delicate, and creamy - these cheeses deserve crisp, refreshing wines.

Wine: A Chenin Blanc (Loire-style) with crisp green fruit and subtle honeyed notes complements fresh cheeses.

2023 Domaine Guiberteau, Saumur, Blanc

Catherine et Pierre Breton, Vouvray, Brut Dilettante

Spirit: A Green Chartreuse & Soda adds herbal complexity and brightens delicate, creamy cheeses.

Chartreuse, Fabriquee Yellow Liqueur

💡 Tip: Light, crisp wines and citrus-forward spirits work beautifully with soft, fresh cheeses.

Semi-Hard & Nutty Cheeses (Comté, Gruyère, Manchego):

Rich, slightly firm, and flavourful - these cheeses need wines with structure and complementary aromatics.

Wine: A dry Chenin Blanc with gentle honeyed notes balances nuttiness and texture.

2024 Cederberg, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape

Spirit: An Amaretto & Soda brings a touch of sweetness that mirrors nutty flavours.

Bepi Tosolini, Saliza Amaretto Liqueur

💡 Tip: Match the wine’s body to the cheese’s richness; a subtly sweet or herbal spirit can highlight nuances.

Blue & Pungent Cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola):

Bold, tangy, and savoury - wines should balance salt and assertive flavours.

Wine: A Sauternes with luscious sweetness offsets strong, tangy blues perfectly.

2019 Carmes de Rieussec, Sauternes

Spirit: A Tawny Port over ice adds warmth and complements pungent flavours.

Churchill's, Tawny 20YO Port

💡 Tip: Sweet or fortified wines contrast intense cheeses beautifully; spirits should support without overpowering.

Hard & Aged Cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano, Aged Cheddar, Pecorino):

Firm, textured, and flavourful - these cheeses call for wines and spirits with depth and structure.

Wine: A Barolo with rich tannins and earthy notes highlights aged cheese complexity.

2019 Azelia, Barolo

Spirit: A Rye Manhattan adds spice and depth, enhancing robust flavours.

Few, Rye Immortal

💡 Tip: Bold wines with structure match well with hard cheeses; spirits with warmth and subtle sweetness add balance.

Creative & Flavoured Cheeses:

Think herbed, smoked, or infused cheeses - these need versatile wines and spirits.

Wine: A dry Riesling with aromatic lift keeps bold flavours balanced and lively.

2023 Jintaro Yura, Le Silence Et La Resonance Riesling

Spirit: A Dry Vermouth Neat or on ice adds herbal complexity and freshness.

Cocchi Vermouth di Torino

💡 Tip: Go bold and playful - wines and spirits should complement creative flavours without overpowering them.

Final Pour:

Cheese offers endless variety - your glass should reflect the style and intensity of the cheese. From crisp whites to deep reds and fortified wines, find the pairing that elevates the flavours and pour with purpose. 🥂🧀