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Cheese, GOURMET FOOD
Elegant Cheese Plating & Fine Drink  
SEE ALL LESSONS

Luxury cheese presentations often include high-quality pairings:

Breads:

      Gourmet bread or baguette slices & crackers: Handmade sourdough crisps, truffle-infused crackers, and breadsticks.

Fruits:

  - Fresh fruits: Grapes, figs, and apple slices,  or poached pears.

  - Dried fruits: Apricots, raisins, and Medjool  dates.

Nuts and seeds:

  - A variety of nuts: Marcona almonds, walnuts, caramelized pecans, roasted hazelnuts  and cashews.

Condiments:

  - Organic  honey or agave syrup, or aged balsamic : a sweet drizzle for soft cheeses.

  - Fig jam or chutney: Sweet and savory pairings for a contrast of flavors.

Elegant Plating & Arrangement 

In luxury settings, cheese is arranged to be visually stunning and easy to enjoy. Create a cheese platter by layering cheeses with accompanying items, arranging them aesthetically. Here's a suggested arrangement:

Structured cheese boards: Organized from mild to strong flavors to guide the tasting experience.

- Centerpiece: A round Brie or Camembert.

- Surrounding Cheeses: Slices of aged cheddar, Manchego, and gorgonzola.

- Perfect portions: Pre-cut into bite-sized pieces for convenience and elegance.

- Colorful Fruits: Grapes, figs, and apple slices artfully arranged.

- Small Bowls: Offer honey and fig jam with toothpicks for easy serving.

- Nuts and Bread: Scatter nuts around the platter and add an assortment of breads.

- Minimalist plating: Using fine porcelain, marble, or wood boards to elevate aesthetics.

How to Pair Cheese and Wine: Essential Guide

Pairing cheese and wine is an art that balances flavors, aromas, and textures. The key is to consider the intensity of the cheese and the profile of the wine to create a perfect harmony.

 ⁠General Rules for Pairing

  • Balance intensity → Mild cheeses with light wines, aged cheeses with structured wines.
  • Contrast or harmony → Sweet wines with savory cheeses, acidic wines with creamy cheeses.
  • Regional pairings → Cheeses and wines from the same region often pair well together.

 ⁠Best Pairings by Cheese Type

1.⁠ ⁠Fresh Cheeses (Mozzarella, Ricotta, Goat Cheese, Stracchino, Burrata)

• Characteristics: Delicate, creamy, often slightly acidic.

• Recommended wines:

Fresh, mineral white wines → Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Pinot Grigio

Light sparkling wines → Prosecco Extra Dry, Franciacorta Brut not light.

 Fruity rosé wines → Bardolino Chiaretto, Pinot noir rosè, Schiava, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo full body rosè.

2.⁠ ⁠Soft-Ripened Cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Taleggio)

• Characteristics: Soft, buttery, with earthy notes.

• Recommended wines:

Creamy, rounded white wines → Oaked? Chardonnay, Viognier.

Light, fruity red wines → Pinot Noir, Dolcetto.

Creamy sparkling wines → Champagne, Franciacorta Satèn.

3.⁠ ⁠Pasta Filata Cheeses (Provola, Scamorza, Caciocavallo)

• Characteristics: Firm texture, sometimes smoked.

• Recommended wines:

Structured white wines → Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo.

Smooth, spicy red wines → Merlot, Nero d’Avola.

4.⁠ ⁠Aged and Hard Cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Pecorino, Comté, Gruyère, Cheddar)

• Characteristics: Rich, umami flavors, firm texture, high salt content.

•           Recommended wines:

Bold, tannic red wines → Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone.

Complex white wines → Aged Riesling, dry Marsala ?. 

Aged sparkling wines → Vintage Champagne.

5.⁠ ⁠Blue Cheeses (Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, Blue Cheese)

• Characteristics: Salty, intense, with spicy and moldy notes.

• Recommended wines:

Sweet and fortified wines → Sauternes, Passito di Pantelleria, Port wine.

Smooth red wines with good acidity → Amarone, Recioto della Valpolicella.

6.⁠ ⁠Goat and Sheep’s Milk Cheeses (Pecorino Toscano, Crottin de Chavignol, Feta, Manchego)

• Characteristics: Strong aromas, pronounced acidity, marked saltiness.

• Recommended wines:

Fresh, mineral white wines → Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Verdicchio.

Savory rosé wines → Côtes de Provence Rosé, Lagrein Rosato.

7.⁠ ⁠Special Pairings

Mixed Cheese Board? Choose Sparkling or Versatile Wines

If serving a selection of cheeses, opt for:

• Sparkling wines (Franciacorta, Champagne, Prosecco Extra Brut Dry) to cleanse the palate.

• Aromatic white wines (Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc) for versatility.

• Light red wines (Pinot Noir, Barbera) for a balanced approach.

Contrasting Pairing: Sweet Wine + Savory Cheese

• Gorgonzola + Sauternes → Sweetness balances the saltiness.

• Parmigiano + Virgin or Stravecchio Marsala → A balance of sweetness smoothness and umami.

• Pecorino + Moscato Passito → Sweet notes enhance the aged Pecorino’s saltiness.

   8.  Sommelier-selected wines enhance the cheese experience:

• Champagne & soft cheeses (e.g., Brie, Camembert)

• Aged Bordeaux & hard cheeses (e.g., Comté, Parmigiano)

• Sauternes & blue cheese (e.g., Roquefort, Stilton)

• Vintage Port & strong aged cheeses

Conclusion

Pairing cheese and wine is about balancing acidity, sweetness, structure, and saltiness. Following intensity and contrast rules helps enhance both elements.