Wine and cheese pairs so well. As we learned last time, the proteins and fats in cheese help to tame the tannin in red wines and creamy soft white cheeses tend to balance the bold acidity that can be found in white wines.
But, not all cheeses work with all wines. While I certainly encourage you to enjoy your favorite cheeses with your wine, here are few general guidelines that might help enhance your enjoyment.
With medium to full-bodied red wines (e.g., Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel) you're going to want cheeses that will stand up to their bigger flavors. Some cheeses that work include aged Cheddar, smoked Gouda, Monterey Jack, Manchego and Edam.
With a lighter red wines (e.g., Pinot Noir, Gamy, Rosé) consider Gruyère, Fontina, Provolone and even Swiss.
And, with white wines and sparkling wines, try Jarlsberg, Mozzarella, Chèvre (goat cheese), Feta, Ricotta, Asiago, Brie and Camembert.
Some cheeses that often show up on platters are those in the Blue Cheese family (Cambozola, Gorgonzola, Roquefort and Stilton). While these cheeses do have bold flavors, they actually work best with dessert wines such as Port.
So, if nothing else, just put bigger, bolder cheeses with bigger bolder red wines, and use the lighter and creamier cheeses with white wines. But, most of all, enjoy the countless pairing opportunities. Cheers!