So apparently it’s #CheeseLoversDay this Sunday. Mostly an American holiday but, what the hell, we love cheese and wine and have to wait till October for Great British Cheese Day, so let’s celebrate anyway!
Leigh Gooding from Vine, an independent wine shop, cafe and bar on Cowley Road, has put together a list of his top cheese and wine pairings so you can make the most of the occasion.
Ah, my two favourite things. Though with all things food and wine it really is a matter of personal taste, so here are a few matches that I can recommend through trial and error.
Goats cheeses
These really have quite a high acidity, so go for a dry or very dry white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling. The classic example here is Crotin de Chavignol with Sancerre both made in the Loire Valley.
Soft creamy cheeses
These need a wine with a bit more body (literally how thick the liquid is), so go for a Chardonnay for white or a light-bodied red such as Beaujolais. Try Chaource with Chablis.
Washed rind cheeses
We’re ramping up the flavour and texture now so go for a rich white wine such as Gewurztraminer, or an off-dry Riesling. If you prefer red, then try Rioja or New World Pinot Noir. Rollright works well with Kiwi Pinot Noir.
Hard cheeses
You need some Tannin (the acid that dries your mouth out) here so go for an oaked Chardonnay or a red like a Bordeaux. You won’t notice the tannin when you have them with the cheese. Also try a good Cheddar paired with Fino Sherry – honestly.
Blue Cheeses
Flavoursome and quite often salty, these need the big boys of the wine world! Think sweet wines or Fortified – Roquefort and Sauternes, or Stilton with a good tawny Port are classics.
If you’re serving a mixed cheese board then go for a crowd pleaser such as an Amontillado Sherry or Tawny Port. Now go buy some cheese & come see us at Vine for the wine!
Vine
96 Cowley Rd, Oxford
01865 422242
vineoxford.co.uk
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