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Pairing Wine and Cheese

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Cheeses with White Wine

Cheese for Red Wine

Matching gourmet cheese and a great bottle of wine enhances their complementary flavors and the overall appreciation for both the cheese and the wine. And, according to Chris Pollan, owner of the Cheese Store of Silver Lake in Los Angeles, anyone can do it.

Strategies

  • Try sticking to one region. Select wines and cheeses that come from a specific area of France or your local community.
  • Choose complimentary tastes. Ask about the acidity of both the wine and the cheese, and don't put two strong tastes together. Instead, pair complementary tastes, like sweet and salty.

Pollan's Pairings

  1. Champagne: pair with triple crème cheese

  2. Light-bodied white (Riesling): pair with Fontina D'Aosta (Italy) or Appenzeller (Switzerland)

  3. Medium-bodied white (Sauvignon Blanc): pair with fresh goat cheese or Selles-sur-Cher (France)

  4. Full-bodied white (Chardonnay): pair with Mahon (Spain) or Vermont Shepherd

  5. Light-bodied red (Pinot Noir): pair with Reblochon (France) or Zamarono (Spain)

  6. Medium-bodied red (Merlot): pair with Montaso (Italy) or Roncal (Spain)

  7. Full-bodied red (Cabernet Sauvignon): pair with Durrus (Ireland) or Epoisses (France)

Additional Resources

Serving Cheese
Discovering New Cheeses
Cheese Care

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