Celebrate National Red Wine Day: Top Tips and Pairings with Cheese

National Red Wine Day on August 28th presents the perfect opportunity to savour the delightful combination of red wine and cheese. When paired correctly, these two favourites can create an exquisite tasting experience.

With the vast variety of red wines and cheeses available, finding the ideal match can seem daunting. However, with a few essential tips and some classic pairings, you can elevate your celebration.

Here are three top tips and three top pairings to make your National Red Wine Day truly memorable.

 

Top Tips for Pairing Red Wine and Cheese

  1. Match the Intensity and Body

Balance is key when pairing red wine with cheese. Bold, heavy red wines can easily overwhelm delicate cheeses, while lighter reds might be overshadowed by robust, aged cheeses. For a harmonious pairing, match the body of the wine with the strength of the cheese. For instance, aged cheddars like Vintage Quicke’s or Pecorino Fiore Sardo pair beautifully with medium reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chianti. On the other hand, lighter, fruity reds like Gamay or Beaujolais are ideal with lighter cheeses, such as Sheep Rustler and Wyfe of Bath. If you have a full-bodied red, opt for the most mature cheese available or even a blue cheese, as they will offer the most intense flavours.

  1. High Tannins with Extra Mature Cheeses

Tannins, the compounds in red wine that create a drying sensation in the mouth, interact intriguingly with cheese. Wines with high tannins, often found in younger reds, pair best with aged, complex cheeses like Doddington, which have a higher concentration of salt. The fats and salt in aged cheeses bind with the tannins, softening their astringency and bitterness while enhancing the overall flavour experience. Avoid pairing highly tannic wines with light, young cheeses, or cheeses with pronounced sweetness, such as Gouda, as the result can be an unpleasant, metallic taste.

  1. Embrace Sweetness

You may have heard the adage, “Opposites attract,” and it holds true when pairing cheese with wine. To preserve milk and produce cheese, salt is often used in the process. Salt is nicely balanced by sweetness, making a sweet red wine an excellent complement to the saltiness and richness of certain cheeses, especially blues. Fortified wines like Port and Banyuls pair exceptionally well with medium-strength blue cheeses like Stilton, Stichelton, and Gorgonzola Piccante, creating a delightful contrast that enhances both the wine and the cheese.

 

If finding the perfect combination of cheese and wine still feels a bit daunting, I invite you to try my favourite pairings below.

Top Red Wine and Cheese Pairings Recommended by The Cheese Lady

  1. Pinot Noir and Sheep Rustler - The delicate tannins and bright red fruit of Pinot Noir perfectly complement the nutty, caramel notes of Sheep Rustler.
  2. St. Felicien and Gamay - The tannin-free, fruity Gamay pairs beautifully with the rich, creamy decadence of St. Felicien.
  3. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Fiore Sardo - The sweet and luxurious Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an ideal match for the earthy, savoury flavours of Fiore Sardo.
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon and Vintage Quicke’s Cheddar - The bold, dark fruit flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon are perfectly balanced by the sharp, tangy richness of Vintage Quicke’s Cheddar.
  5. Port and Stichelton - The sweetness of Port wonderfully balances the salty, buttery intensity of Stichelton, creating a luxurious and satisfying pairing.

 

Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of wine and cheese pairings, these tips and pairings offer a perfect starting point for your National Red Wine Day celebration. By matching the weight and intensity of your wines and cheeses, considering tannin interactions, and embracing the harmony of sweetness, you can create a delightful tasting experience that showcases the best of both worlds. So, pour a glass, cut a slice, and toast to the timeless pleasure of red wine and cheese. Cheers!

 

The Cheese Lady x

 

P.S. If you'd like to order some amazing British cheeses with a delicious 10% discount, click HERE. 

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