Nothing says summer like chilled white wine and a beautiful cheese board. But when you head to the specialty cheese aisle in your nearest grocery store, how do you know which cheese to select? Once you’ve picked your favorite cheese, how do you know which bottle of white you should grab to highlight just the right notes of each? At Cello, we’re here to lend you a hand so you can cheese confidently this season. Here are 7 white wine and cheese pairings for your next gathering.
1. Mascarpone and Champagne
Indulgence meets indulgence in this stellar choice for dessert wine and cheese pairing. Go for a sweet bubbly if you want to level up the decadence of this treat, or pop the cork on a bottle of dry champagne to balance the richness of mascarpone. Either way, this smooth, spreadable cheese is a real after-dinner crowd pleaser. Just don’t forget the strawberries.
2. Cheddar and Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is high in acidity and often features comparable characteristics of Chardonnay, but with a lighter body. This crisp, tart wine is made from grapes that originate in France will be enhanced but not buried by the sharpness of cheddar cheese. The herbal notes in Sauvignon Blanc complement the earthy elements of classically crafted cheddar.
3. Brie and Riesling
Riesling wine comes in a wide range of flavor profiles, from incredibly dry to super sweet. A semi-dry to dry Riesling highlights the freshness of soft, creamy brie while cutting the cheese’s richness with the wine’s acidity. The delicate, earthy notes in brie are balanced by the wine’s acidity to create a light snack that’s sure to be palate-pleasing.
4. Gorgonzola and Moscato
You already know sweet and salty foods pair well together. The same goes for wine and cheese. Crumbly, moldy Gorgonzola hails from northern Italy, while sweet, drinkable Moscato d’Asti is made from the Moscato grapes produced in the province of Asti in northwest Italy. As the saying goes, what grows together goes together, so the origins of this cheese and wine make it a no-brainer.
5. Havarti and Rosé
Smooth, mellow Havarti complements your favorite summery wine by balancing the crisp, light qualities of rosé. The fruitier your rosé, the better it will bring out the mild, buttery harmonies in Havarti. This cheese also plays well with others, so use it freely with some of the other mild options to create a fun cheese board to eat poolside. Grab a bubbly version of rosé (or add a spritzer) to make this wine and cheese pairing even more exciting.
6. Mozzarella and Pinot Grigio
No hard and fast rules exist for white wine and cheese pairings, but opposite flavor profiles often attract. The dry acidity of Pinot Grigio is tampered by soft, slightly sweet mozzarella. While opposite flavors are a match, cheese and wine of the same age are also ideal companions. Pinot Grigio is young and light-bodied, while most mozzarella is aged less than a month.
7. Copper Kettle and Chardonnay
This full-bodied wine is a match made in cheese heaven with an aged, hard cheese like Parmesan. Chardonnay’s moderate acidity and citrus notes let the flavors of Cello’s signature Copper Kettle Parmesan shine without becoming overpowering. The caramel finish of Copper Kettle wraps it in a sweetness balanced by the oaky, buttery elements of a versatile Chardonnay.
Whatever your favorite white wine is, you’re sure to find a cheese that will entertain your taste buds, and your guests.
