Exploring the Art of Wine and Cheese Pairing: Matching Flavours for Bold, Sweet, and Mild Palates
Hello, fellow wine and cheese lovers!
I’m Jessica Summer, a wine and cheese expert and the founder of Mouse and Grape. Let’s dive into the topic of wine and cheese pairing for different palates.
We all have different tastes and preferences when it comes to food and drinks. Some people prefer bold and spicy flavours, while others enjoy sweet and fruity notes. And of course, some prefer mild and subtle flavours. When it comes to wine and cheese pairing, it’s important to take into consideration the different palates.
Bold Palate:
If you have a bold palate, you probably enjoy strong flavours and spicy notes. For this type of palate, I would recommend pairing a bold red wine with a strong and flavorful cheese. A great option would be a Monastrell, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon or Touriga Nacional with a hard aged cheese such as a cloth-bound Cheddar, Aged Gouda or spicey blue Spanish cheeses such as Cabrales or Picos. The tannins in the wine will compliment the richness of the cheese, plus the saltiness in the cheeses will bring out the fruitiness of the wine. The overall bold flavours of both the wine and cheese will complement each other nicely.
Sweet Palate:
For those of you with a sweet palate, you probably enjoy fruity and sweeter notes. When it comes to wine and cheese pairing, you’ll want to pair a sweet wine with a mild and creamy cheese. A great pairing would be a Moscato D’Asti; a low alcohol, perfumed, slightly fizzy Italian sweet wine with peach, orange blossom and honeysuckle aromas with a creamy cheese like La Tur or Brie De Meaux or if you are feeling more adventurous, Gorgonzola Dolce – one of my all-time favourite creamy blue cheeses. Though Moscato D’Asti is a sweet wine it still has zingy acidity plus bubbles so it refreshes your palate from the gooey (and delicious) mouth-coating cheese. The flavours are balanced perfectly making it a truly stunning cheese and wine pairing. Another tip is to add honey or fruit jams to your cheese, this will add another layer of sweetness!
Mild Palate:
If you have a mild palate, you probably enjoy subtle and delicate flavours. For this type of palate, I would recommend pairing a light white wine with milder cheese. A great pairing would be a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc or Provence Rosé with a mild goat’s milk cheese such as Perroche, Golden Cross or White Lake Dairy Rachel or a milk cow’s milk cheese such as Cornish Yarg. The lightness of the wine plus the high acidity in both the cheese and wine will complement each other. The flavours of the cheese are subtle and not overpowering which will create a gentle and pleasant tasting experience.
In conclusion, when it comes to wine and cheese pairing, it’s all about finding the perfect balance between the flavours. Whether you have a bold, sweet, or mild palate, there is a perfect wine and cheese pairing for you. So go ahead and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect match. And remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the experience and savour every delicious bite and sip!
Happy pairing!
XO, JS
