Wine and cheese have long been celebrated as the perfect culinary duo, offering endless possibilities for flavour exploration. Whether you prefer bold reds or crisp whites, finding the right cheese to complement your wine can elevate the entire tasting experience. In this blog, we’ll guide you through some of our favourite wine and cheese pairings, focusing on key factors such as flavour intensity, acidity, and balance. We’ll also highlight some fantastic combinations using HER Wines, showcasing how our collection pairs perfectly with a variety of cheeses to create a delightful and harmonious tasting experience.
What Should You Consider in a Wine and Cheese Pairing
Understanding the basics of wine and cheese pairings is essential for creating a delightful wine and cheese pairing experience. The goal is to balance the flavours, textures, and intensities of both the wine and the cheese. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started:
1. Match the Intensity of the Wine and Cheese
When pairing for a cheese and wine tasting, one of the primary considerations is matching the intensity of flavours. Bold wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec should be paired with strong cheeses like aged cheddar or flavours to avoid either component overwhelming the other. Conversely, lighter wines such as Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc are best matched with delicate cheeses like fresh mozzarella or chèvre. Matching intensity ensures that neither the wine nor the cheese dominates the palate, allowing both to shine.
2. Consider the Acidity of the Wine and Cheese
Acidity in wine can either enhance or clash with the flavours of cheese. Acidic wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chianti work well with tangy cheeses such as goat cheese or feta, as the acidity complements the tartness of the cheese. On the other hand, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert pair better with wines that have lower acidity, such as Chardonnay or Viognier, allowing the creaminess of the cheese to be accentuated without being overshadowed by tartness.
3. Complement or Contrast the Wine and Cheese
Choosing whether to complement or contrast flavours with wine and cheese can lead to exciting pairings. Complementing flavours might involve pairing a nutty cheese like Gruyère with an equally nutty wine like a mature Chardonnay. Contrasting flavours can also delight the palate, such as matching a sweet wine like Semillon with a salty cheese like blue Stilton. Both approaches can create unique tasting experiences, so don’t be afraid to experiment to discover what pleases your palate.
8 Fantastic Wine and Cheese Pairings
Wine and cheese pairings are classic and beloved by many, and you might be wondering, “What cheese goes with wine?”. The answer to that is not as complex as it may seem. We have chosen eight of the most popular wines in South Africa to pair cheeses with.
Here are some of the best wine and cheese pairings to try:
Wine and Cheese: Red Wines
1. Cabernet Sauvignon and Aged Cheddar
Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine with rich flavours of dark fruit and tannins. It pairs wonderfully with aged Cheddar, a cheese that can hold its own against the wine’s bold profile. The sharpness of the Cheddar complements the wine’s robust taste, creating a harmonious balance. The tannins in the wine also interact with the proteins in the cheese, softening the wine’s structure and enhancing the flavours of both.
2. Merlot and Gouda
Merlot is known for its smooth and fruity character, making it an excellent match for Gouda. Gouda’s creamy texture and nutty flavour enhance the wine’s soft tannins and berry notes. This pairing is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for any occasion. As the cheese ages, it develops a caramel-like sweetness that further complements the ripe fruit flavours of Merlot, making each bite and sip a delightful experience.
3. Pinotage and Smoked Gouda
Pinotage, a uniquely South African red wine, is known for its bold flavours of dark fruit, smoke, and earthy undertones. It pairs exceptionally well with smoked Gouda, a cheese that complements the wine’s rich profile, creating a delightful balance on the palate. The perfect South African wine and cheese combination!
4. Shiraz and Aged Cheddar
Shiraz pairs exceptionally well with aged cheddar, a cheese that complements the wine’s bold and complex flavours. The sharpness and rich texture of aged cheddar enhance the spicy and fruity notes in Shiraz, creating a balanced and harmonious pairing. The wine’s dark berry flavours, combined with hints of pepper and oak, meld beautifully with the creamy, nutty profile of the cheddar, allowing both to shine without overpowering each other.
Wine and Cheese: White Wines
1. Chardonnay and Brie
Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with Brie, a soft and creamy cheese that complements the wine’s buttery and smooth characteristics. The mild, slightly tangy flavour of Brie balances the richness of Chardonnay, particularly oak-aged varieties that showcase notes of vanilla, butter, and ripe fruit. The creamy texture of the cheese enhances the wine’s round mouth feel, while the subtle earthiness of brie adds complexity without overpowering the wine’s delicate flavours.
2. Sauvignon Blanc and Goats Cheese
Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with goat cheese, making for a classic and refreshing combination. The wine’s crisp acidity and vibrant citrus notes cut through the creamy texture of the goat cheese, creating a perfect balance. The tangy, slightly earthy flavour of goat cheese complements Sauvignon Blanc’s zesty profile, often with hints of green apple, lime, and herbaceous undertones.
3. Chenin Blanc and Gouda
Chenin Blanc pairs wonderfully with Gouda, especially an aged variety. The wine’s natural acidity and fruity flavours, often showcasing apple, pear, or quince, complement the nutty, slightly sweet profile of Gouda. As the cheese ages, its caramel-like richness becomes an excellent match for the bright and refreshing nature of Chenin Blanc when doing a wine and cheese pairing.
4. Viognier and Camembert
Viognier pairs wonderfully with Camembert, a soft-ripened cheese known for its creamy texture and mild, earthy flavour. The wine’s aromatic profile, often featuring floral and stone fruit notes like apricot and peach, complements the rich buttery characteristics of Camembert.
Creating the Perfect Wine and Cheese Platter
A well-curated wine and cheese platter can be the centrepiece of any gathering. In South Africa, we are spoilt by great cheese makers so you can find wonderful cheeses at your nearest grocery store or deli, or by googling ‘cheeseries near me’ or cheese shop near me’.
When selecting cheeses for your platter, aim for variety. Include a mix of textures and flavours to cater to different palates. Here’s how to create a stunning and delicious spread for your cheese and wine table:
- Soft Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, and goat cheese. These cheeses offer a creamy mouth feel and subtle flavours, ideal for pairing with both light and full-bodied wines.
- Semi-Soft Cheeses: Gouda and Havarti. These cheeses have a smooth texture and mild to moderate flavours, which make them versatile for pairing with a range of wines.
- Hard Cheeses: Aged Cheddar and Parmesan. These cheeses offer intense flavours and firm textures, perfect for standing up to robust wines.
- Blue Cheeses: Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton. The bold, tangy flavours of blue cheeses pair well with sweet or fortified wines, creating a contrast that’s pleasing to the palate.
Wine and Cheese Accompaniments
Enhance your wine and cheese platter with a variety of accompaniments. These can add texture and flavour, making the experience more enjoyable:
- Fruits: Grapes, figs, apples, and pears. Fresh fruits add a natural sweetness and juiciness that can cleanse the palate between rich cheeses and wines.
- Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and pecans. Nuts provide a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour that can complement both cheese and wine.
- Bread and Crackers: Baguette slices, water crackers, and whole-grain crackers. These provide a neutral base for tasting and can also add a satisfying crunch.
- Condiments: Honey, fig jam, and olives. Sweet and savoury condiments can enhance the flavours of the cheese and wine, adding an extra dimension to your tasting experience.
For an expert guide on how to taste wine, read our blog: The art of tasting wine: A beginner’s guide.
Wine and Cheese with HER Wines
HER Wines produces four exceptional wines, each offering a unique flavour profile that pairs beautifully with a variety of cheeses:
1. HER Wines 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp and zesty, this wine pairs wonderfully with goat cheese. The wine’s acidity cuts through the creaminess, creating a refreshing balance.
2. HER Wines 2024 Chenin Blanc
Fruity and vibrant, Chenin Blanc is ideal with aged Gouda. The wine’s brightness complements the cheese’s nutty sweetness.
Bold and robust, this Shiraz pairs well with aged cheddar. The sharpness of the cheese complements the wine’s rich, spicy profile.
Known for its smoky, dark fruit flavours with hints of spice, it pairs beautifully with Gouda. The cheese’s creamy, slightly sweet profile complements the wine’s rich complexity, balancing its earthy and fruity notes.
Who Is HER Wines?
The HER Wines team is a group of trailblazing black women in South Africa’s winemaking industry, distinguished by their commitment to black female empowerment and innovative practices. Unlike many traditional winemakers, HER Wines focuses not only on producing exceptional wines but also on uplifting communities and creating opportunities for future generations. Their distinct approach lies in their passion for supporting women, both in their team and through their unique HER Wine Bursary Initiative. By dedicating 2% of their proceeds to this bursary, they provide financial aid and mentorship to young individuals from farm-working families, fostering new talent within the wine industry.
The HER Wine Collection
Wine and cheese pairings are a delightful way to explore the world of flavours and textures. By understanding the basics and experimenting with different combinations, you can create memorable experiences for yourself and your guests. Stay up-to-date with the latest news and wine specials from the HER Wine Collection by following us on Instagram and Facebook. For more information about our beautiful wines, feel free to give us a call on 021 873 3170 or email us at info@herwinecollection.co.za.