Red Wine and Cheese: a well-established tradition
Drinking red wine with cheese is a time-honored automatism that still persists on many tables, particularly in France, where the tradition is to accompany cheese with the red wine opened for the main course or a fine bottle of Bordeaux or Burgundy. This classic pairing is often perceived as inseparable, to the point that many guests can't imagine enjoying a cheese platter any other way. However, this habit deserves to be re-evaluated. Indeed, the pronounced taste of certain cheeses can sometimes overpower the subtle, complex aromas of great red wines, obscuring all the finesse and richness they have to offer. It would therefore be wise to explore other types of wine to enhance these taste associations.
Dare White Wine: A Revolutionary Gustatory Experience
Dare white wine and you'll be surprised! This suggestion, far from being heresy, could well revolutionize your gastronomic experience. Contrary to popular belief, white wine offers a range of pairings that are often more harmonious and complementary with cheese than red wine.
White Wine and Cheese Pairings: Unexpected Combinations
Soft cheeses
For soft cheeses such as Camembert or Brie, a dry white wine is the perfect choice. For example, pairing a goat's cheese with a Sancerre brings out the freshness of the cheese and the liveliness of the wine, creating a delicate, pleasant balance on the palate.
Blue-veined cheeses
Blue-veined cheeses, such as Roquefort or blue cheeses, are often considered difficult to match because of their powerful, salty character. However, a sweet or mellow white wine, such as Sauternes, brings a sweetness that perfectly counterbalances the intensity of the cheese. A Fourme d'Ambert accompanied by a glass of Sauternes offers a refined taste experience where flavors complement each other without clashing.
Hard or Pressed Cheeses
For hard or pressed cheeses such as Beaufort, Comté or Emmental, the ideal pairing is a powerful, full-bodied, aromatic white wine. A vin jaune or a vin du Jura, for example, has the structure to rival the complexity of these cheeses, while revealing their subtle nuances. Tasting a mature Comté cheese with a vin jaune is an unforgettable experience, where every mouthful and every sip respond to each other in perfect harmony.
Red Wines: Always Indispensable for Certain Cheeses
These astonishing pairings will win you over, and you'll often find that a white wine is more harmonious than a red wine. However, red wine lovers can rest assured that certain cheeses always go wonderfully well with red wines. Soft, washed-rind cheeses such as Epoisses, Livarot and Maroilles go perfectly with strong, full-bodied red wines. For example, an epoisses paired with a Châteauneuf-du-pape offers a generous alliance where the character of the wine magnifies the richness of the cheese without dominating it.
Conclusion: Explore New Taste Horizons
In conclusion, while red wine and cheese are a timeless pairing, it would be a shame not to explore the many possibilities offered by white wine. By daring these new pairings, you'll enrich your culinary experience and discover unsuspected harmonies. Whether you're a red wine purist or a curious wine lover, there's always a wine ready to sublimate your cheese platter.