Spring Wine and Cheese Pairing
We are excited to share our Spring Wine and Cheese Pairing guide with you. This took us a lot of effort so we hope you enjoy. With such a wide variety of cheeses and wines across the world, we understand how it might feel overwhelming to begin your pairing journey. Rather, bask in the freedom afforded by this fact: there are no wrong pairings. If it tastes wonderful to you, it is indeed a “perfect pairing!” Yet, with so much goodness coming from the creameries, and wine-walls showcasing an array beyond imagination, the want to ‘get it right’ may present itself – so fear not! Our handy spring wine and cheese pairing guide is designed to carry you through the cues that lead to pairings you’ll want to recreate & riff on time and time again.
In the dairies where our cheesemaker friends weave their magic, springtime represents an especially enchanting time of the annual cycle. Bright, rich milk, fragrant with the abundance of clover, flowers and varied grasses, flows with the coming of a new generation of kids, lambs and calves. Younger cheeses like chevre and brie are plentiful, and cheeses carefully aged to their exact ideal moment are uncovered to reveal the depths of their glory. In spring, all of this uniquely beautiful terroir reaches a fever-pitch of plentitude, and we are here to celebrate it!
Ideal Spring Wines and Cheese pairing ideas
When conjuring up a big, broad scope of visions for bountiful spring spreads of cheese, wine and accompaniments, a focus on white wines definitely emerges – as gorgeous vintages representing rosé, sparkling and all manner of whites jump to mind. Not that reds do not have a prime seat at this table! If white wines are the ‘Soul-Mate’ to fine artisan cheese, think of red wines as cheese’s ‘Twin Flame’ – always engaged in a dance with duality. However, note that many sommeliers in spring-mode suggest that the heavier the tannins and oakiness, the more challenging pairing a red wine will be. Generally, lighter bodied reds such as Pinot Noir come together effortlessly with the riches of springtime.
With the spring harvest bringing in fresh spring produce, wines with pleasant acidity and that not-quite-ripe ‘green’ quality are a great place to start (think all things sparkling and crisp Rieslings for sure-fire bets). To be clear, the number one top-secret in our back pocket: bubbles, ideally crisp over cloying, can take you from brie to blue without a single set-change.
Setting the Stage: Cheese & Wine Logistics
Did you know that Antonelli’s makes an ongoing investment in the family by encouraging employee certification through the American Cheese Society as Certified Cheese Professionals (CCP)? That’s right, your friendly cheesemonger just might be an internationally recognized cheese expert. We’re not saying you have to be a ‘cheese sommelier’ to master wine & cheese pairing – just know you’re in very good hands! A little of our crafty guidance, plus your own instincts, will go far towards creating perfect pairings.
When we are masterminding menus for our Events program – which serves groups large & small across Central Texas in our turn-of-the-century Cheese House, on Bus Tours throughout the Hill Country or anywhere our esteemed clients need us – we invoke our sense of “Pairing Theory” to guide us to the most dynamic menus we can create.
Consider notions such as “Fire with Fire,” “Like with Like,” “Opposites Attract,” or conceptually-themed pairings (for example a region-specific riesling with an Alpine cheese). With wine in particular, think about the intensity level of the cheese. Does it possess a similar ‘amplitude’ as the wine you’re considering? A beautifully balanced dance is the goal, so make sure the partners have qualities that compliment each other.
Timing & temperature are also factors to consider while pacing the service – you do want to hit the serving temperatures correctly. For cheese & charcuterie meats, make sure they have achieved room-tempurature by leaving your board out to ‘breathe’ for between 30 to 60 minutes, fully releasing the enticing aromas and actualizing their depths of flavor. While the typical refrigerator hangs out at under 40 degrees, you’ll want your white wines to come closer to 50-55 degrees in order to experience their full range. Regarding reds, with their target temperature range of 55-65 degrees, ‘room temp.’ may be a bit too warm – don’t hesitate to pop them in the cooler to place a chill on your reds for an ideal bouquet!
Cheese Pairing Theory Meets Wine
The true ‘Cliff’s Notes' here is that wine high in acidity acts as a natural palate-cleanser, so crisp sparkling wines, many viogniers & rieslings – as well as some lighter-bodied reds – may adapt seamlessly over a course of multiple & varied cheeses.
Having said that, we at Antonelli’s believe we get the most mileage out of our palates by starting with young, milder cheeses that open up majestically with a bottle of bubbles. Moving into more pungent bloomy rinds (like camembert) and washed rinds is a fantastic time to introduce a choice white or rosé, while the semi-soft/firm/hard trinity opens arms wide for lighter reds like Pinot Noir. For the die-hard big, bold red lovers, unveiling your jammy red with a hard cheese like a Sardinian Pecorino will carry you through to what is always our final course: the blue cheese.
In any case, join us for this deeper dive, and check out our ‘cheat sheet’ below to gain all of the confidence you’ll need to follow your instincts for bold and expert spring wine and cheese pairing:
SPARKLING
Pleasantly elevated acidity joins forces with bubbly effervescence for an often universal cheese accompaniment. Try it with:
- Fresh Cheeses (A match made in cheese heaven with Chèvre, Hand-dipped Ricotta, fresh sheep cheese)
- Brie-style cheese (Spectacular fireworks with Kunik, Brie de Meaux, Cana de Oveja)
- Washed Rinds (Savor & refresh with Quadrello, Red Hawk, Epoisses)
- And keep going, all the way through hard & blue cheeses! When you’ve found your sparkling ‘holy grail,’ it will make each cheese sing.
WHITES
Pinot Grigio
Higher acidity and a full-spectrum of brightness make this a highly versatile selection. Introduce it to:
- Ossau-Iraty (Sheep milk Basque country cheese); Chabrin (Goat milk Basque country cheese)
- Goat-Milk Goudas (Brabander, Central Coast Creamery Goat Gouda)
- SarVecchio (America’s premier Parmigiano-Reggiano inspiration)
Sauvignon Blanc
Usually higher in acidity, and wide-ranging flavor notes can include mineral, grass and grapefruit sensations. Plays well with:
- Flavored Chèvres (June’s Joy, CKC Jalapeno Artichoke)
- Milder Cheddar-Style Cheeses (Seascape, Redneck Cheddar, Montgomery’s)
- Cow or Sheep milk Goudas (L’Amuse, Ewephoria, Marieke)
- Salty Hard Cheeses (Dry Jack, Parmigiano-Reggiano)
Dry Riesling & Viognier
These wines are similar in aromatics (Viogner would be the more mature sibling of the two), with a crisp & dry bite and high acidity. Complement them with umami-heavy cheeses like:
- Alpine style cheeses (Challerhocher, Gruyere, Comte)
- Sheep milk Feta
- ‘Spiced’ Brie (Rougette, Piper’s Pyramide)
- Marinated Bufaletta Tuscan
Chardonnay
Key terms like ‘Buttery’ & ‘Oak-y’ set the bar high, although this is one of the most popular choices for Americans. We suggest steering into the curve with:
- Camembert (Take ‘buttery’ to the next level: Bent River, Le Pommier, Fermier)
- Caldera Espana (Texas made, Spanish at heart – Smoked over pecan shells. Serve with ‘oaked.’)
- Appalachian, Mt. Tam (for buttery vibes)
ROSÉS
Citric zest & dark red fruits, spring blooms, and impressions of ‘green’ all contribute to the mystique of Rosé. Select for brightness over sweetness to get in the zone for:
- Brie! Brie! Brie! (This is the perfect moment for precious triple cremes: Kunik, Marin French, Champlain)
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Tomme style cheeses (Thomasville, Crayeuse, Fat-Tailed Tomme)
REDS
Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark-red fruit notes, tannic acidity and herbal-to-woodsy notes work well with stronger cheeses for this full-bodied varietal. Schedule a play-date with mild to moderate cheeses:
- Aged Cheddar (Widmer’s 10-Year)
- Classic Blues (Gorgonzola Dolce, Roquefort)
- Milder, Firmer Cheeses (Gouda, Jack, 1605 Manchego)
Tempranillo
With a dynamic balance between earth and fruit (read: tobacco meets berries with a hint of fig), pick up on a Spanish theme, and you cannot go wrong here! Bienvenida:
- Manchego Styles (La Dama Sagrada, Campo de Montalban, 1605)
- Brie-adjacent (Leonora, Leonora a Fuego, Cana de Oveja)
- Resurrected from an ancient recipe (Garrotxa)
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre, a sun-drenched & savory French varietal, reflects dark-red fruits, berry-bearing vines, and balanced vanilla & chocolate notes. Meet Mourvèdre with:
- Smoke-suggestive cheeses (Caldera Espana, Smoked Ricotta, Smokey Blue)
- Milder Alpines (Gruyere, Comte)
- Hard Cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino, Grana Padano)
Pinot Noir
The terroir of Burgundy: earthy, floral, effortlessly enchanting. High acidity and lower tannins make Pinot Noir an ideal Spring red. Choose things delicate:
- Alpines (Berglialp, Challerhocker, Comté)
- Spruce-wrapped, ‘epicurean queso’ (Harbison, Vacherin)
- Brie Recipes (Such as Baked Brie)
Merlot
Merlot is always in fashion, with its berry & purple-fruit flavors. Supple tannins give way to a fruity finish that hints at chocolate. Keep it moderate for a sure-bet:
- Gouda (L’Amuse, Ewephoria, Brabander)
- Pungent Brie-styles (Camemebert, Kunik, Trillium)
- Gorgonzola
Malbec
Smooth & jammy with notes of dark cherry, purple-fruits and raisin. Hints of coffee & chocolate with a waft of black pepper signal that this wine can stand up well to bold-leaning cheeses:
- Manchego Styles (La Dama Sagrada, Campo de Montalban, 1605)
- Taleggio-Style (Quadrello, Ciresa Taleggio DOP)
- Camemberts (Bent River, Le Pommier, Fermier)
Congratulations! You've completed reading about Spring Wine and Cheese Pairings
You've now got all the information to make the perfect spring wine and cheese pairings. The instincts are user-friendly, so now you can take it to higher levels with all of your most-cherished accompaniments. Further the thematic threads you’ve woven with the finest charcuterie meats, preserves, honeys, pickled items, conservas (tinned from the sea), nuts & olives that you might be craving this spring, and create your ultimate spread.
Remember, you must know the rules to break the rules, and – as with so many successes in cheesemaking – ‘accidents’ often lead to ecstatic results. So, experiment fearlessly, and please reach out to us to let us know your top ‘happy dance’ combinations! We’d love to hear from you.
If you in Austin, stop by the Shop, order a cheese tray for pickup, or join us for a cheese tasting to put your new-found knowledge to the test! If your out of town, check out our Cheese Club, where we'll send you a monthly pick of our favorites for you to try!
After centuries of cheese and wine finding themselves the best of friends, spring wine and cheese pairings are practically built into our very DNA.
Here are some other classic pairings from Taste of Home.
