In honor of National Red Wine Day (tomorrow, Oct. 15), the experts at AJ’s Fine Foods provided their top picks for fail-safe red wine and cheese pairings (and a few white-wine tips, for kicks). Happy sipping!
RED:
- For red wine the best cheese pairing are blues, Stilton and gorgonzola.
- The fruit-driven cabernet maintains a high ripe fruit character, while still maintaining some acid these wines will be low in tannin.
- For import selections, fruit forward wines such as tempranillo and grenache from Spain or Shiraz from Australia will complement these cheese selections.
- Ruby port and Stilton is a classic. Ruby port shows bright ripe fruit and the salt content of the cheese will be a counter point to the fruit.
WHITE:
- For oak-driven, heavier chardonnay, look to pair with heavy creamy cheeses (brie, camembert).
- The density of the chardonnay with its acid will pair with the bold creamy styled cheese.
- Goat cheese is best to pair with high-acid white wines, like sauvignon blanc, Sancerre, gruner veltliner, muscadet and Champagne. These high-acid wines complete the tart, creamy, intense cheese.
