"Eat what you like, drink what you like."

“Eat what you like, drink what you like”…whatever makes you happy. There are undoubtedly flavour combinations that elevate a meal beyond the individual parts; timeless combinations such as garlic and ginger, salmon and dill, pork and apple, chocolate and orange. The flavours bounce off each other creating new sensations and satisfying contrasts among sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. This works as well with wine and cheeses. Eat what you like and drink what you like but some go better together than others and you may find that a little bit of consideration in how you pair your wines and cheeses will enhance the pleasure.

To help you out in as painlessly way as possible, and at some considerable effort I might add, we spent some hours drinking wine and eating cheese to discover what goes with what from our lists. Read on…

WHITE WINES

Bergeries de la Bastide 2022. Languedoc-Rousillon, France.

Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc.

Green apple, dried herbs and touch of citrus. Refreshing crispness.

This lovely all-rounder pairs with a gamut of the light to medium strength crumbly cheeses such as Gorwydd Caerphilly, Cornish Yard, goat cheeses like Ticklemore then of course the delightfully creamy Welsh bries of Penhelyg Abaty and Caws Cenartg. The wine's balanced acidity and fruity notes make it an excellent match for the creamy and slightly tangy nature of these cheeses. As part of a meal this is fabulous with grilled seafood, chicken or as a foil to a Thai curry!

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Cantine Volpi ERA 2023. Veneto, Italy.

Pinot Grigio.

Bright and fresh vibrant citrus. Touch of minerality. Clean finish and zest acidity.

Best with milder cheeses like Mozzarella, Ricotta, or soft goat cheese. The wine’s fresh, lively acidity and citrus notes harmonise with the mild, creamy profiles of these cheeses, creating a balanced and delightful pairing.

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Good Hope Bush Vine 2022. Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Chenin Blanc.

Lively and intense. Fruity green apples and white peaches. Balanced dry flavour. Lingering freshness.

Complements hard cheeses like Old Amsterdam Gouda, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Comté and full flavoured softer cheeses like Abaty Glas, Scooping Gorgonzola or Baron Bigod. The wine’s full-bodied nature and rich, earthy undertones match well with the strong flavours of these cheeses. You could also try adding some smoked or provençal anchovies to your grazing board.

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Picpoul de Pinet, Chateau de la Mirande. Languedoc, France.

Piquepoul

Apricots, peaches and citrus fruits.Zesty, bright and crisp. Balanced acidity.

Ideal with cheeses and foods you would eat as part of a Mediterranean mezze, so mozzarella, burrata, manchego, White Lake Cheese’s Driftwood, Michael’s Mount and Tor served with grilled vegetables, hummus, olives and seafood.  The wine's high acidity and citrus notes complement the bright flavours of these foods, offering a crisp and clean finish.

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Weingut Knauss Riesling 2022. Württemberg, South Germany. Riesling.

Intense concentration on the nose. Dry, zippy, pure and fresh citrus palate. Just a hint of funkiness.

Complements a wide range of cheeses and foods from soft bries from Wales, the milder blue cheeses like Blue Clouds, richer Alpine cheeses like Comté and Le Cret Gruyere together with grilled fish and seafood and spicy foods where the Riesling’s bright acidity and hint of sweetness balance the tangy, creamy, nutty and spicy characteristics of these foods.

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ROSÉ WINE

Réserve de Gassac Rosé 2023. Pays de l’Hérault, Languedoc, France.

Grenache, Carignan, Syrah.

Fresh strawberry, cherry and redcurrant. Easy drinking.

Try with young goat or sheep cheeses like Pavé Cobble, Seven Sisters or even Duddleswell as the rosé’s crispness and light berry flavours enhance the fresh, delicate qualities of these cheeses whereas a pairing with Comté balances the rich nuttiness with the freshness of the wine. The easy drinking nature of this wine also lends it to cured meat platters and chilled ratatouille.

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SPARKLING WINE

Domaine Champalou Vouvray Brut NV. Vouvray, Loire, France.

Chenin Blanc.

Harmonious symphony of flavours. Green apple and lemon. Mineral undertone. Restrained and balanced,

Of course this is just stunning on its own with friends. For nibbles pair with triple crème cheeses such Delice de Bourgogne, robust goats like Crouton de Pays, Rachel and Ticklemore. The wine’s effervescence and subtle sweetness cut through the rich, buttery texture of these cheeses, providing a refreshing contrast. If you must, have with a light salad and some grilled fish.

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RED WINES

Caminante Tempranillo 2022. Vina Albergada, North Spain.

Tempranillo.

Bright and juicy. Sweet damson and soft fruit. Deliciously easy drinking.

This is our house wine and is ideal with our 9-month Manchego, Pecorino Gorzano, or one of our aged Cheddars such as Keens, Isle of Mull or Westcombe. The wine’s rich fruit flavours and moderate tannins complement the nutty and slightly salty characteristics of these cheeses, enhancing their complex profiles. We found it also went very nicely with the Bray Cured Beef Bresaola and Air Dried Ham.

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Saint Cirice 2022 Chateau St Cyrgues. Vin de Pays Du Gard, Rhône France.

Grenache, Syrah, Merlot.

Gutsy and spicy. Well balanced. Long finish.

Excellent with blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Colston Basset Stilton. The wine's full-bodied character and robust flavours stand up well to the strong, salty nature of these cheeses. You can also try with the full bodied flavours of Tommy de Savoir and Comté.

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Domaine de Moulines 2022. Vin de Pays de l’Hérault Languedoc, France.

Merlot.

Rich red cherry. Subtle peppery-notes. Medium bodied texture.

Great with Baron Bigod, Saval, Morbier or mild blue cheeses like Gorgonzola and Blue Clouds. The wine’s smooth tannins and fruity undertones pair well with the creamy and slightly tangy flavours of these cheeses.

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Ballena del Sur 2022 Malbec. Mendoza, Argentina.

Malbec.

Juicy and plummy. Velvety palate. Spicy finish.

Perfect with bold cheeses like Isle of Mull or Keens Cheddar, Old Amsterdam Gouda, or blue cheeses like Blue Murder and Bleu du Bocage. The Malbec’s dark fruit flavours and robust tannins match well with the strong, intense flavours of these cheeses.

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Chateau Saint Ahon 2013 Cru Bourgeois. Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot.

Complex and classy. Round and supple. Blackberry and morello cherry. Dry and full bodied. Lingering finish.

As well as being an ideal wine to drink as part of a brilliant Sunday roast lunch, this wine pairs well with aged hard cheeses like Comté, Le Cret Gruyere, or Parmigiano-Reggiano and is brilliant with solid blue cheeses like Roquefort and Colston Bassett Stilton. The wine’s deep, complex flavours and firm tannins complement the bold, nutty profiles of these cheeses.

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