What Wine Goes Well with Blue Cheeses?
Pairing Guide for the Perfect Match
Pairing wine with blue cheese is a refined culinary adventure that combines the robust flavors of the cheese with the complementary notes of fine wine. The pungent, salty, and often sharp taste of various blue cheeses, such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton, poses a delightful challenge for wine enthusiasts. The successful pairing hinges on balancing these intense cheese flavors with the right type of wine, creating harmony between the two.
When it comes to blue cheese, the variety matters in selecting an appropriate wine. Creamy and mild blue cheeses match well with sweeter wines, which offset their salty bite, while more assertive blue cheeses with a distinct blue veining pair nicely with bolder wines. For instance, a classic choice is Port, which offers a sweet counterpoint to the saltiness of the cheese, especially with Stilton. Other options include fruity reds like Pinot Noir that provide a gentle contrast, or a crisp, mineral-driven white wine like Sauvignon Blanc which can cut through the creaminess while complementing the tangy profile of the cheese.
In addition to traditional wine choices, there are other beverages that can be paired effectively with blue cheese. A barley wine or robust stouts and porters can also provide a beer-based pairing that echoes the complexity of blue cheeses. While wines like off-dry Riesling and dessert wines are also well-suited to blue cheese, offering a sweet balance to the savory, intense flavor notes. Consequently, the art of pairing wine with blue cheese allows for a range of possibilities, each promising a unique and pleasing gastronomic experience.
Understanding Blue Cheese
Before diving into the intricacies of wine and blue cheese pairings, it is essential to grasp the diversity and distinct characteristics of blue cheeses. Knowing the main varieties and what sets them apart can significantly enhance the pairing experience.
Varieties of Blue Cheese
Gorgonzola: Originating from Italy, this cheese comes in two main types: Gorgonzola Dolce, which is softer and milder, and the more aged and robust Gorgonzola Piccante.
Roquefort: A French cheese, Roquefort is made from sheep's milk and has a moist, crumbly texture with veins of blue mold imparting a sharp, tangy flavor.
Stilton: This English cheese is creamier and crumbly, with a strong and somewhat nutty taste. Its two varieties include the milder Blue Stilton and the softer, less defined White Stilton.
Danish Blue: Known for its sharp and salty flavor, this cow's milk cheese is creamy and can range from semi-soft to firm.
Bleu d'Auvergne: Also from France, this cheese offers a creamy, buttery texture with a spicy, piquant taste.
Cambozola: A German cheese that blends the creaminess of brie with the pungency of blue cheese, often described as milder and ideal for those new to blue cheeses.
Characteristics of Blue Cheeses
The unique flavor profiles of blue cheeses arise from the presence of the mold Penicillium roqueforti. The mold not only imparts a pungent, often salty flavor but also affects the texture, making the cheese creamy or crumbly. These cheeses can be made from cow's milk or sheep's milk, influencing the taste and richness. Gorgonzola Dolce is typically creamier and gentler in flavor compared to the sharpness of Roquefort or the boldness of Stilton. The veining of Penicillin molds contributes to the intense, sometimes tangy flavors that characterize these cheeses. Each variety offers a distinct taste experience, from nutty and sharp to buttery and spicy.
Wine Pairing Basics
In understanding wine pairing with blue cheese, one finds it essential to appreciate the interaction of flavors and the properties of wine that influence taste experiences.
Principles of Wine and Cheese Pairing
Pairing wine with cheese is both an art and a science, hinged on finding a balance between the intensity of flavors. For blue cheeses, complexity and richness are key attributes to consider. These cheeses often carry bold, pungent flavors that are best matched with wines that can complement their striking taste profiles without overpowering them.
Bold Blue Cheeses: Wines with sweetness or high acidity can balance the strong taste.
Milder Blue Cheeses: Lighter wines may be more suitable to avoid overshadowing the cheese's subtle flavors.
A successful pairing should allow both the wine and cheese to shine, creating a harmonious blend on the palate.
The Impact of Wine Characteristics
The characteristics of wine—body, tannins, acidity, and sweetness—all play pivotal roles in cheese and wine pairing.
Body: A full-bodied wine pairs well with a richer cheese.
Tannins: Wines with high tannin levels are often balanced with fatty cheeses.
Acidity: A wine with high acidity can cut through the creaminess of blue cheese.
Sweetness: Sweet wines generally complement the saltiness and sharpness of blue cheese.
A consideration of these wine properties ensures a complementary pairing, where the flavors and aromas of both the wine and the cheese are enhanced.
Recommended Wine Pairings for Blue Cheese
Pairing blue cheese with the right wine can transform a tasting experience, enhancing both the cheese's bold flavors and the wine's complexities. The combination should balance the intense, salty, and savory qualities of the cheese with the wine's sweetness, acidity, or fruitiness.
Fortified and Dessert Wines
When combining blue cheese with wine, fortified and dessert wines often offer the perfect counterpoint to its pungency. The sweetness and body of these wines complement the strong taste of blue cheese.
Port: A classic pairing, especially with a Stilton, is a tawny or ruby port. The richness of port juxtaposes the cheese’s saltiness, with flavors of dried fruit, chocolate, and berries offering a harmonious balance.
Type of Fortified Wine Blue Cheese Pairing Tawny Port Gorgonzola Ruby Port Roquefort
Dessert Wines: Among the various options, Sauternes stands out, as its honey and apricot notes marry well with the creamy aspects of blue cheese. Other dessert wines like Tokaji, Vin Santo, and Monbazillac also work well due to their sweetness and acidity, which cut through the pungency.
White Wines and Blue Cheese
While reds are often top of mind for cheese pairings, the right white wines can elevate blue cheese just as impressively due to their crisp, citrus, and refreshing profiles.
Late-Harvest Riesling: The sweet and acidic characteristics of a late-harvest Riesling make it a strong candidate for balancing out the intense flavor of blue cheese.
White Wine Blue Cheese Pairing Riesling Creamy blue cheese Semillon Assertively flavored blue cheese
Chardonnay: This white wine, with its notes of creaminess and hints of oak, can be refreshing alongside a milder blue cheese.
Prosecco: For something sparkling, a glass of prosecco can provide a light and bright counterpart to blue cheese's richness.
Red Wines that Complement Blue Cheese
Red wines with robust and bold flavors can stand up to the intensity of blue cheese, creating a satisfying pairing.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: These reds offer the heft needed to match the rich and savory taste of blue cheese.
Zinfandel: With its bold fruitiness, Zinfandel pairs well with the bold flavors of blue cheese, emphasizing the harmony between the savory cheese and the sweet notes of the wine.
Red Wine Blue Cheese Pairing Cabernet Sauvignon Aged blue cheese Zinfandel Spicy blue cheese
Pinot Noir: A lighter red like Pinot Noir, with its subtle fruit flavors, can pair with less intense blue cheeses without overpowering them.
Serving Tips and Considerations
When serving blue cheese with wine, the focus should be on balancing flavors and textures while considering the proper temperature for both the cheese and the wine. These factors can greatly affect the tasting experience.
Preparing Blue Cheese for Serving
Blue cheese, known for its rich and pungent flavors, should be served at room temperature to enhance its creamy texture and depth of flavor. To achieve this, one should take the cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before serving. Preparing the cheese in this manner ensures the nuances in flavor are more pronounced and the cheese is easier to spread if that's the form it'll be consumed in.
Choosing the Right Wine Temperature
The temperature at which a wine is served can significantly impact its taste and the way it pairs with blue cheese. Whites and sparkling wines, for example, are most refreshing when chilled to around 8-12°C, while most dessert wines benefit from being served slightly warmer at around 12-16°C. The coolness of these wines creates a refreshing counterbalance to the rich texture of blue cheese.
Pairing Wine with Blue Cheese-Based Dishes
When pairing wine with dishes that feature blue cheese prominently such as a blue cheese salad, burger, or steak, it's essential to match the intensity of the flavors. A variety of wines pair well with blue cheese:
Sweet Wines: They balance the saltiness of the cheese and enhance the dining experience. A classic example is a sweet and luscious Sauternes.
Sparkling Wines: The acidity and effervescence are excellent at cutting through the richness of the cheese. Prosecco and other sparkling wines are refreshing companions to blue cheese.
Pairings should cater to the diner's palate, providing complementary textures and flavors that make both the wine and the blue cheese more enjoyable.
Enhancing the Tasting Experience
Selecting the appropriate wine to accompany blue cheeses can transform a simple tasting into an exquisite culinary journey. Attention to pairing and accompaniments highlights the distinct characteristics of both the cheese and the wine, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
The Role of Accompaniments
When serving blue cheese with wine, the choice of accompaniments can significantly enhance the tasting experience. To complement the often bold taste of blue cheese, consider adding:
Fresh Fruit: Slices of pear or apple provide a refreshing counterbalance.
Honey: Drizzling honey over the cheese adds a sweet note that brings out its fruitiness.
Nuts: Walnuts or pecans contribute a savory crunch that pairs well with the cheese's creamy texture.
These additions not only provide contrasting flavors but also engage different taste sensations, enriching the overall experience.
Understanding Wine and Cheese Complexity
The complexity of blue cheeses with their robust and savory flavors demands wines that can match their intensity. Successful wine pairings hinge on understanding the complexity and distinct characteristics of both the cheese and the chosen wine. Consider the following pairings as they are formulated to augment the cheese's flavor profile:
Sweet Wines: Ports or sweet dessert wines offer a bold contrast that can highlight the salty and savory qualities of the cheese.
Sparkling Wines: The effervescence of a good sparkling wine can cleanse the palate and counterbalance the cheese's creaminess.
Bold Reds: A full-bodied red wine with strong tannins can stand up to the intense flavor of richer blue cheeses.
Each pairing suggestion takes into account the aromas, flavors, and distinct characteristics that need to be synergized for an enhanced tasting experience.
