Holiday Cheers🥂 Top 5 Wine & Cheese Pairings for a Christmas Soirée!!

All I want for Christmas is… some wine and cheese! 🍷🧀

It's time to experience the enchanting dance of wine and cheese! A classic combination for centuries.

Quite intriguing:

At its core, pairing wine with cheese is about balancing flavours and textures. The fats and proteins in cheese softens the astringent tannins in wine, making the wine taste smoother and less bitter.

Meanwhile, the acidity and fruitiness of the wine cuts through the richness and creaminess of the cheese, enhancing its flavour. This interplay creates a harmonious symphony on your palate, where both the cheese & wine complement and elevate each other's taste.

To add to our happiness; recent French studies confirm what we've long suspected: savoring cheese before sipping wine makes the flavors sing!

But wait…not every duo is a match made in gastronomic heaven. 

Certain qualities of wine complement only certain kinds of cheeses.

Here’s a guide to 5 fabulous pairings that'll make your taste buds dance:

MERLOT MEETS BRIE: CREAMY & DREAMY

If goes hand in hand with Merlot’s fruity flair waltzes, it’s Brie’s buttery, soft spread. Anything velvety & hearty as Merlot requires something creamy & soft to balance out textures & flavors. They're like a dreamy duet, completing the ‘other half’ with finesse.

PINOT NOIR & GRUYÈRE: SMOOTH OPERATORS

Gruyère’s nutty, salty yet creamy flavors crave the earthy spice of Pinot Noir. Vanilla-like undertones alongside dry oak and dark cherries in the wine complement Gruyère’s savoury note. They're a dynamic duo at a swanky soirée hitting the right notes. Smooth and charming!

CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND AGED GOUDA: BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

The intensity of Gouda Cheese meets its match with the bold Cabernet. Since Gouda undergoes a beautiful ageing process, Cabernet’s punch of spice & savour matches its ever-growing vibrancy making for a perfect companion. They're like bold actors stealing the show together, a match made for the red carpet.

SYRAH & EDAM: BOLD BRILLIANCE

Syrah's punch of mint carries the notes of blackberry & black pepper which strikes the perfect balance with Edam’s nutty, salty tang. A combination that savours yet soothes—imagine them as the stars of a suspenseful drama. Bold, brilliant, and oh-so-good!

CHARDONNAY AND CAMEMBERT: CREAMY ELEGANCE

Something simply flavoury needs an equivalent. Such is the story of Chardonnay’s citrus zest mixing and mingling with Camembert’s creamy coolness. They're the talk of the town, setting a stylish trend with their simply zesty presence!

But hey, the magic lies in trying and testing. So, experiment with these duets and let your taste buds take centre stage this Christmas!

However, remember this…🍷🧀

• Wines with an ABV of 13.5% or higher go well with robust cheeses like Cabrales or aged Gouda.

• On the flip side, opt for wines below 12.5% ABV to gracefully pair with delicate cheeses such as Brie.

• To enhance the flavours, ensure your cheese is set out an hour before the gathering, allowing it to reach its peak deliciousness at room temperature. When serving, maintain white wines at a crisp 50 degrees Fahrenheit and red wines at a sophisticated 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Impeccable temperature adds a touch of refinement to your wine and cheese affair.

Get ready to sprinkle a dash of drama on your festive feast! Cheers to a delightful and tastefully dramatic Christmas! 🍷🧀✨