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• Basic rules in associating cheeses with different types of wine
• Types and varieties of wine suitable for various types of cheese
• Choosing cheeses according to wine
• Classic combinations of wine and cheese

Basic rules for associating cheeses with different types of wine

It's no secret that wine and cheese go hand in hand and can enrich their flavours if they are well joined together. Incidentally, serving a cheese platter alongside wine before or after dinner or simply as an elegant snack when we have guests has become a habit in our country.
The association of wine with cheese is considered a true art and is by no means a new habit. People have noticed that wine has a special flavor if it is associated with a certain type of wine since a few centuries ago. Many of the basic rules on matching wine with cheese have been preserved for hundreds of years.
What do wine and cheese have in common? Both are produced by fermentation, and the final food is completely different from the basic product – cheese versus milk and wine from grape. Another similarity is that wine and cheese mature and can, as the years go by, stronger and stronger flavors. Both are living products, constantly transforming, and the wealth of their savoris shows itself only in the right company.
Some basic rules, after which we can guide ourselves in any circumstances, are:

Association of cheeses and wines from the same areas of provenance

It is one of the oldest and easiest rules to follow when it comes to pairing wine with a certain type of cheese. In general, the association of cheese with local wines is the simplest given that cheese is very faithful to the terroir and the climate of origin.
Under this rule, you can successfully associate Parmigiano with a Barbaresco, both from Italy, or Brie French cheese with a Chardonnay.
Of course, there are currently no boundaries in the cultivation of certain vine varieties or the production of certain varieties of cheese and Sauvingnon Blanc and Chianti are also produced in other parts of the world, but the rule of association by geographical area starts from the origin of grapes and cheeses.

Pairing sweet wines with savoury cheeses

Another rule in joining wines with cheeses is the one about the "sweet-salt" couple. Sweet wines balance the taste of savoury cheeses and fit perfectly. In addition, it is an easy rule to remember.

Pairing cheeses with strong flavours with strongly flavoured wines

Cheeses with strong flavours, such as Roquefort, for example, always go with equally aromatic wines to "hold their chests", liqueur and strong wines. A port wine, for example, might very well compliment a cheese like Roquefort, as well as a Stilton cheese.

Combines complementary or contrast textures between cheeses and wine

According to the rule of extremes, which attract, and the cheeses and wines contrasting in texture go very well together. So you can successfully join creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert with a wine like Chardonnay,full and intense or Medoc.

Test and choose your favorite combinations

Oenologists and sommeliers are very strict when it comes to pairing food with wine, but that doesn't mean you can't try less common combinations. You may discover new flavors and textures that tickle your taste buds and make the whole culinary experience a more enjoyable one.
What to remember: fruity red wines destroy strong flavoured cheeses while tannin red wines destroy creamier cheeses. In general, you can bet without worry on dry and sweet white wines. Don't forget, however, to test, combine and make your own rules, there's nothing wrong with experimenting with new tastes and notes.

Types and varieties of wine suitable for various types of cheese

The right combination can give rise to special savors and until you taste a type of cheese in the right combination, or rather recommended, you do not really know all its subtle notes. The type and variety of wine best suited for certain cheeses depends on the ripening time of the cheeses, the texture and other elements of the composition. Every detail is important when we talk about the perfect pairing.

The wines we associate with fresh cheeses

Fresh cheeses such as Feta, Burrata or Chévre go great with rosé dry or sparkling rosé wines, as well as white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling.

What wines we join to creamy cheeses

In creamy cheeses with white mould such as Brie or Camembert we join white wines – champagne, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Feteasca Royale, but also a well-chosen red wine – a Pinot Noir, for example. Munster goes with red wines- but also with some white wines, like Riesling,for example. Mozzarella, a world-loved Italian cheese, will go perfectly with a Chianti.

Recommended wines for hard, seasoned cheeses

Hard and mature cheeses such as Emmenthaler, Gruyere, Cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda will get a special flavour alongside tannin-rich red wines. A Cabernet Sauvignon is a great choice, as is a Zinfandel, a Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Syrah or a Sherry. You can also join these cheeses and a white wine like Chardonnay.

What wine we choose for cheeses with mold

Roquefort, Gorgonzola are cheeses complimented by red, sweet and strong wines such as Porto or Sherry, as well as a Cabernet Sauvignon or merlot. Danish Blue matches a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Royal Feteasca.

Choosing cheeses according to wine

Each wine has a special flavor and is worth a try, but we all have certain preferences. Some of us love sweet wines, while others prefer a dry, strong red wine. Depending on this, the most appropriate choice can also be made with regard to cheeses.

What cheeses we join in a sweet red wine

Recioto, Madeira, Sherry, Porto are red, sweet, very aromatic wines. They are usually drunk for dessert, but also alongside cheeses with mold. We can join Gruyere, Livarot, Stilton, Roquefort, Camembert or Gorgonzola cheeses.

Cheeses suitable for dry red wines

In dry, tanninous red wines, cheeses such as Feta, Emmenthaler or Gruyere are matched.

Types of cheese that go best next to an aromatic white wine

A sweet white wine full of flavors such as Riesling, Tokaj Wine or Sautternes will go perfectly with goat cheese, with an Époisses cheese, Selles-Sur-Cher, Reblochon, Comte, Beaufort.

Cheeses associated with dry white wines

Several types of cheese match with dry white wines. With a dry Chardonnay, for example, goes a Camembert, but also a Cheddar, with a dry Pinot Grigio goes Mozzarella or Gouda, with a dry Sauvignon Blanc goes goat cheese, but also parmesan.

Best cheeses for sparkling wines

Champagne, Prosecco or Sava will have a perfect taste next to creamy goat cheeses, but also near Parmigiano-Reggiano, Brillat-Savarin, Camembert, Brie, Epoisses.

Classic combinations of wine and cheese and joins that you can't fail

When you don't know what associations to make, with the classics you can go for sure. Some of the "couples" of cheese and wine that complement each other and that will delight even the most demanding taste buds, are: