Cheese and wine tasting: how to organize one

A wonderful tradition that incorporated Italian wines as their finest and the most delicious food that you may ever encounter is the cheese and wine tasting. Thanks to this exciting activity, you can reach the quintessential taste that could only be reached through the experienced pairing of cheese and wines. However, you should first of all know how to pair them and all the rules that comes with it, so that you can reach the most potential that you can and experience a wonderful combination of flavors.

Choosing wine: Amarone della Valpolicella e Corvina Veronese

In order to achieve the perfect combination for wine and cheese, it is essential to choose the best quality wines that you can find. In this case, most of the times, red wines are best paired with cheeses and uncured meats, so your choice should be around these kind of wines. A couple of options that could easily arrive at your number one choice for a nice wine and cheese tasting are the Amarone della Valpolicella and a Corvina Veronese.

The Amarone della valpolicella classico is a nice bright red wine, that has been produced by mixing the most refined and tasteful wine grapes in the Vogadori cellar, the Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Oseleta Negrara. Thanks to its intense and very flavorful taste, you can easily pair it with many different kind of cheeses, that might enhance its valuable characteristics.However, also the Corvina Veronese is a wonderful wine that you may use in a wine and cheese tasting. Thanks to the great selection of wine grapes, you can achieve the perfect blend of taste that can work wonderfullly with cheese, especially the spiciest kinds.

Choose cheese: Taleggio, Reblochon, Pecorino di fossa e Gorgonzola, Stilton, Roquefort

There are many kind of cheeses that can be used, from the most spectacular Italian cheese to the most refined french ones. Taleggio is a semi-soft, smear-ripened cheese originating from the Lombardy region of Italy. It has a tangy, fruity flavor with a creamy texture. Its pungent aroma is a characteristic that distinguishes it from other cheeses.  Reblochon, on the other hand, hails from the French Alps and is made from cow’s milk. It is a soft and creamy cheese with a nutty flavor. Its rind is washed during the aging process, giving it a distinctive orange hue.

Pecorino di fossa is a unique Italian cheese that is aged in underground pits or caves, hence the name “fossa.” The cheese develops a strong, earthy flavor and crumbly texture as a result of this aging process. Gorgonzola is one of Italy’s most renowned blue cheeses. It has a creamy texture with blue veins running throughout and a tangy, slightly piquant flavor. Gorgonzola is available in two varieties: dolce (sweet) and piccante (sharp).

Stilton, a cheese from England, is a semi-soft, blue-veined cheese with a creamy texture and rich flavor. It has a crumbly and slightly tangy taste, making it a popular choice for cheeseboards and pairing with fruits. Roquefort, a well-known French blue cheese, is made from sheep’s milk and has a distinctively sharp and salty flavor. It has a creamy texture with veins of blue mold running through it. Roquefort is often considered one of the finest blue cheeses in the world.

These cheeses each have their own unique characteristics, flavors, and origins, making them a delight for cheese connoisseurs and food lovers alike.

Cheese and wine tasting: pairings and rules

Wine and cheese tasting is a delightful culinary experience that combines two of life’s greatest pleasures. When it comes to the perfect pairing, there are a few basic rules to follow. Firstly, it’s important to consider the intensity and flavors of both the cheese and the wine. Generally, a lighter cheese pairs well with a lighter wine, while a robust cheese calls for a bold wine. For example, a delicate goat cheese can be beautifully complemented by a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, whereas a rich aged cheddar may be better matched with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon.

Texture is another important factor to consider. Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert pair well with sparkling wines or light-bodied whites, whereas hard cheeses like Parmesan or aged Gouda benefit from a more robust red wine.

Furthermore, it’s important to taste the cheese before the wine. This allows your palate to fully appreciate the flavors and nuances of the cheese, before being influenced by the wine. Take small bites, allowing the cheese to melt across your tongue.

Ultimately, the goal of cheese and wine tasting is to create a harmonious balance between the flavors of the cheese and the wine.So, next time you have the opportunity, treat yourself to a cheese and wine tasting adventure and embark on a delicious journey of flavors.