Wine and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly. The universe just wanted it this way and, hey, who’s complaining? “Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches, June and moon, or good people and noble ventures,” according to M.F.K Fisher… and, well, we have to agree. So does wine-lover Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, who decided that every July 25th we celebrate this loving relationship of wine and cheese by creating National Wine and Cheese Day.
Wine and Cheese Pairing
Pairing makes all the difference when it comes to wine and cheese. It’s not the easiest task – there is a certain level of skill and knowledge involved. Here are some tips for successful pairing:
Location
An easy way to match a delicious cheese with a glass of good wine is by looking at the location of origin. Wine and cheese from the same location often match perfectly, like Chianti with Asiago.
Taste
This seems like an obvious tip, but not so much… Try pairing funky, sour cheese like blue-veined cheese with sweet wines like a Port. The sweetness of the wine will even out the sour taste of the cheese. You can also pair creamy cheeses with a sparkling wine – the carbonation makes for a melt-in-your-mouth combination.
Intensity
Try matching the intensity of the wine with the intensity of the cheese. For example, a wine with high alcohol content (14.5%) should be paired with a stronger cheese, and wine with a lower alcohol content can be paired with a less intense or a delicate cheese. Pro tip: Cheese tends to increase in intensity the longer it is aged… the older a cheese, the more water content lost and, therefore, the more intense in taste. Hence the saying, “Strong wine should be taken with old cheese.”
Celebrating Wine and Cheese Day
The secret (or not so secret) tip for enjoying the day is to plan ahead. Do a little research ahead of time. Talk to the guru at the cheese counter in your local grocer. Look through wine and cheese pairing charts as a reference for already existing pairs. Maybe even explore ahead of time by trying some pairings with your partner. However you decide to “celebrate” the day, we hope these tips leave you happy and satisfied! And yes, don’t forget to take pictures and share reviews about your favorite wine and cheese pairings on social media with the hashtag #NationalWineandCheeseDay or #NationalWineandCheeseDay2019. Happy National Wine and Cheese Day!
Come chat with our knowledgable winos at Zipps! Check out our list of liquor store locations here.