Cheese and wine pairings
Pairing delicious wine and cheeses together is a classic combination but can seem quite daunting with so many options available. Knowing which cheese to pair with a wine is not always immediately obvious and can often put people off all together. We thought we’d put together a little guide to get any cheese or wine lover started on how to pair these two iconic treats.
To begin with, it can be easier to choose your cheese board first and then select a wine to go with it but either way is fine. Here at the Hamper Lounge we have a fine selection of cheese and wine hampers.
Hard Cheeses
Hard cheeses are a classic option and examples include cheddar, parmigiano-reggiano, manchego and percorino. These cheeses are often crumbly when cut and are delicious with crackers, figs and chutneys. A medium-bodied red wine goes well with the more flavourful cheddar and manchego whilst a white, chardonnay or sparkling wine pairs beautifully with parmesan and pecorino cheeses. Make your cheese and wine night all the easier with our ‘French Cheese Box’. It includes a selection of exquisite French cheeses with scrumptious biscuits, all supplied by a luxury cheese specialist. It does include a hard cheese, as well as other cheeses that pair wonderfully with the optional bottle of Chablis that comes with the box.
Soft Cheeses
Soft cheeses encompass a wide range of options- from spreadable cream cheese to more sturdy cheeses like brie and camembert. These cheeses are lovely, again, with crackers and chutneys but are also delicious when spread thickly on crusty bread. They pair well with pinot noir but also, somewhat surprisingly, with drinks like chardonnay or sparkling wine. Try our ‘Cheese Lover Gift Box’ for a selection of luxurious cheeses, perfectly complemented with crackers and chutneys.
Blue Cheeses
Due to their strong flavour (and smell!) it can be hard to see what wines pair well with classic blue cheeses like stilton, gorgonzola and roquefort. Port pairs beautifully with stilton and is a classic combo. Our ‘Port and Stilton’ box is perfect for the classy cheese lover in your life. Sweeter wine pairings are good with blue cheeses like a sherry or sloe gin.
Goats Cheese
Goats cheese is fairly easy to pair with wines and goes really well with a classic sauvignon blanc or rosé.
If you’re finding it hard to choose between all these delightful combinations, why not try our ‘Deluxe Cheese Lover Hamper’. It comes with a selection of cheeses from Italy, France, Spain and the UK as well as artisan crackers and chutney. There is also the option to include three wines that pair perfectly with the collection and it is all presented in a stunning wicker hamper.
Pairing cheese and wine together should be fun and experimenting with different tastes can be a great way to spend an evening with friends and loved ones. Pick up your favourite cheeses and wines today and get pairing! What a great idea for a fathers day gifts selection?
